CBSE Class 10 Second Board Social Science exam was held on May 21, 2026 , and the 2026 question paper PDF is available for download. This page lists the main exam paper, the second/main paper and previous years' practice/sample papers — all useful for your revision.
Previous Years CBSE Class 10 SST Question Paper PDF Download appears on the page alongside the 2026 second board paper , 2025 question paper and 2024 practice/sample papers. Use these PDFs to sharpen speed, understand the question pattern and spot high-yield topics.
Quick intro: Why these SST PDFs matter
The page includes the CBSE Class 10 Social Science paper for the Second Board (2026) plus earlier papers and practice sets. Solving these PDFs helps you see how questions are framed across History, Geography, Political Science (Civics) and Economics.
Doing past papers is the fastest way to learn the real exam pattern. You will identify recurring question types, time sinks and the mark distribution that textbooks alone won’t show.
These papers are for students preparing for CBSE Class 10 board exams and candidates sitting the second/main 10th exam who want targeted practice.
At a glance: Previous Years CBSE Class 10 SST Question Paper PDF Download and exam dates
The key files available on the page are the Second Board Social Science paper 2026 , the main 2026 question paper, the 2025 paper and multiple 2024 practice/sample papers. Below is a simple table showing what’s listed and the dates you should note.
| Paper listed on the page | Exam / Year shown |
|---|---|
| CBSE Second Board 10th SST Question Paper 2026 | May 21, 2026 |
| CBSE 10th Social Science Question Paper 2026 (main) | 2026 |
| CBSE Class 10 Social Science Question Paper 2025 | 2025 |
| CBSE Class 10 Social Science Practice Question Paper 2024 | 2024 |
| CBSE Class 10 Social Science Sample Paper 2024 (English & Hindi) | 2024 |
Note: One of the download entries on the page may show a "To be activated" tag for the second/main paper. If that happens, refresh the page later or check the official CBSE releases for the final PDF.
What to download first (priority list for focused study)
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Start with the CBSE Second Board 10th SST Question Paper 2026 . It matches the latest exam pattern and difficulty level you will face.
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Next, solve the CBSE 10th Social Science Question Paper 2025 to compare trends and recurring question formats.
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Use 2024 practice and sample papers to build speed and strengthen fundamentals. These are best for sectional drills and map practice.
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Keep both the main 2026 paper and the second/main 2026 paper (if separate) for final revision runs so you can simulate both variants.
How to download PDFs (simple steps for mobile and desktop)
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On the page, look for the row for the year you want and click the "Download PDF" link beside it. Each paper has its own download link.
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On desktop: click the link and choose Save or Print > Save as PDF to store it in a folder. Rename files clearly (example: "CBSE_10_SST_2026_SecondBoard.pdf").
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On mobile: tap the download link. If the PDF opens in a browser reader, use the browser menu to download or save to Files/Drive. For Android, use the Downloads folder; for iPhone, save to Files or iCloud.
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If a link says "To be activated": refresh after a few minutes, try a different browser, or check the official CBSE releases page later. The page lists both main and second-main versions where applicable.
Study plan: Use PYQs to improve score (8-week schedule)
Follow an 8-week plan that alternates full-paper practice with topic drills. Below is a ready schedule you can copy into your planner.
| Week | Focus | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Baseline full paper | Solve 2026 second board paper under timed conditions. Note time per section and immediate weak areas. |
| Week 2 | Topic drills | History + Geography: do question sets from 2024 practice papers. Work map skills. |
| Week 3 | Full timed mock | Solve 2025 paper in exam time. Review errors in detail. |
| Week 4 | Concept reinforcement | Civics + Economics: redo theory answers and practice source-based questions from PYQs. |
| Week 5 | Speed work | Two timed sectional tests (40–50 min each) using mixed questions from 2024–2026 papers. |
| Week 6 | Full mock + feedback | Re-solve weakest full paper (pick the one with most repeat questions). Grade carefully. |
| Week 7 | Targeted revision | Short note-making, map snippets, and write model answers for 8–10 high-mark questions seen across PYQs. |
| Week 8 | Final sprint | One timed full paper per 3 days, focus on answer presentation and time allocation. |
This schedule balances speed and analysis. Repeat weeks if you find a topic needs more time.
How to practice effectively with each paper
Simulate exam conditions when you attempt a full paper. Switch off phones, set the timer, and use the same answer-booklet layout you will face in the exam.
After completing a paper, self-mark using the question paper’s marks distribution. Note recurring mistakes and make a short revision list of the top five errors to avoid next time.
Prioritise questions by marks and repeat questions that appear frequently across the 2024–2026 papers. These are often high-yield.
Topic-wise weightage insight (how PYQs reveal important areas)
Past papers show which parts of the syllabus teachers and examiners emphasise. Across the listed papers you will find:
- History: focus on specific events, dates and interpretation-based source questions. Practice long answers and source analysis.
- Geography: map skills and application-based questions on physical and economic geography are common. Practice labelling and short explanations.
- Political Science (Civics): questions test understanding of constitution, democracy and current governance examples. Practice structured answers.
- Economics: small case-based problems and short theory questions repeat; focus on definitions and simple calculations.
Use the frequency of topics seen across 2024, 2025 and 2026 papers to allocate revision time. Spend more time on parts that carry larger marks and appear repeatedly in PYQs.
| Topic area | What PYQs emphasise | Revision tip |
|---|---|---|
| History | Source-based reasoning and long answers | Make timelines and practise one source question daily |
| Geography | Map work and application | Create a one-page map cheat-sheet for rivers, crops, industries |
| Civics | Case-based and structured answers | Prepare 10–12 model answers for likely 5–8 mark questions |
| Economics | Short application problems | Focus on definitions and 2-mark application questions |
Common pitfalls when using past papers and how to avoid them
Don’t treat PYQs like answer banks. Copying memorised answers can backfire if the question asks for application.
Avoid doing each paper only once. Repetition builds speed and exposes how your accuracy improves.
Balance paper practice with textbook study. Use PYQs to test what you know, not to replace the NCERT and class notes.
What’s missing on the page and quick workarounds
The page lists the PDFs but does not provide answer keys or solutions. If solutions are not available, create a self-marking template: write the question number, full marks, your answer length and expected keywords.
File sizes and formats are not listed. After download, check the PDF on your device and convert or compress if you need a printable version.
There’s no consolidated ZIP of all years. Make your own folder (cloud or local) and label files clearly (year_topic_variant) so you can print or share with classmates.
Printable checklist before a mock exam
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Paper PDF | Download and print or open fullscreen on a tablet |
| Timer | Set exact exam time and keep a visible clock |
| Writing materials | Have extra pens, pencils, eraser, ruler for maps |
| Marking scheme | Use marks per question from the paper to score yourself |
| Post-mock record | Note score, time per section, and top 3 improvements |
Before any mock, clear a quiet space, switch off notifications, and follow the checklist for a realistic practice session.
Quick resources and next steps after finishing these papers
After you’ve completed the listed PYQs, keep the following routine for the final weeks:
- Re-solve one full paper every week under timed conditions.
- Maintain a short answer bank of high-yield points and map snippets for quick revision.
- In the last two weeks, prioritise high-mark questions and timed mocks to polish presentation and time allocation.
If you lack official marking scheme documents, use the marks shown on each question to self-evaluate and cross-check with class teacher feedback when possible.
FAQs
Q1: How do I download the CBSE Class 10 Social Science question paper PDF? A1: Click the "Download PDF" link beside the year/paper on the page. On desktop, save the file; on mobile, use the browser menu to save to Files or Downloads.
Q2: Why solve the second board or previous years’ papers? A2: Solving PYQs helps you understand the question pattern, difficulty level, important topics and improves time management under exam conditions.
Q3: Which years of papers are available on the page? A3: The page lists 2026 (second board and main), 2025 and 2024 practice and sample papers.
Q4: What if the download link shows "To be activated"? A4: Refresh the page later, try a different browser, or check official CBSE releases. The page may list the PDF before it is activated.
Q5: Are solutions or answer keys provided with the PDFs? A5: The page lists question papers but does not include answer keys or solutions. Create self-marking templates or use classroom/teacher resources for answers.
Q6: How should I use these papers in the last two weeks before the exam? A6: Do one full timed paper every 2–3 days, focus on high-yield questions, revise short notes and practice map snippets for quick recall.