NSO Class 10 syllabus
The NSO Class 10 syllabus for 2026-27, subject by subject: 16 topics to work through. On SkillStar, Class 10 children also get 6 mock tests marked instantly and sample papers to download.
- Class
- Class 10 (Grade 10)
- Syllabus years
- 2026-27
- Topics
- 16
- Mock tests
- 6
- Downloads
- 3
NSO Class 10 syllabus 2026-27
Logical Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning: Reasoning with words, letters and numbers, for example series, codes and analogies.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Reasoning with pictures and figures, for example patterns, mirror images and hidden shapes.
Science
- Chemical Reactions and Equations: Writing, balancing and classifying chemical reactions.
- Acids, Bases and Salts: Properties of acids and bases, pH and common salts.
- Metals and Non-metals: Reactivity, extraction of metals and corrosion.
- Carbon and Its Compounds: Bonding in carbon and common carbon compounds.
- Life Processes: Nutrition, respiration, transport and excretion in living things.
- Control and Coordination: Nervous system and hormones in animals; responses in plants.
- Reproduction in Organisms: How plants and animals reproduce.
- Heredity: How traits pass from parents to offspring.
- Light - Reflection and Refraction: Mirrors, lenses and the bending of light.
- The Human Eye and the Colourful World: How the eye works, vision defects and dispersion of light.
- Electricity: Current, voltage, resistance and Ohm's law.
- Magnetic Effects of Electric Current: Magnetic fields from current and electromagnetic uses.
- Our Environment: Ecosystems, food chains and environmental problems.
Achievers Section
- Higher Order Thinking questions: Harder application questions on this class's Science topics; worth more marks each.
About the NSO exam
How the exam works
Mode: Offline, objective multiple-choice paper held in school during school hours; each exam date has its own paper. · Levels: Level 1: Classes 1-12, held in the student's own school. Level 2: Classes 3-12 only; qualifiers are the class-wise top 5% internationally, the top 25 per zone per class, and school class toppers (where at least 10 students of that class sat the exam and the topper scored at least 50%). Level 1 questions are about 60% from the current class syllabus and 40% from the previous class; the Achievers Section and all of Level 2 use the current class syllabus only. · Duration: 60 minutes · Questions: Level 1: Classes 1-4 have 35 questions (Logical Reasoning 5, Science 25, Achievers 5). Classes 5-10 have 50 (Logical Reasoning 10, Science 35, Achievers 5). Classes 11-12 have 50 (Physics & Chemistry 25, Mathematics or Biology 20, Achievers 5). Level 2: Classes 3-4 have 30 Science + 5 Achievers; Classes 5-10 have 45 Science + 5 Achievers; Classes 11-12 have 25 Physics & Chemistry + 20 Mathematics/Biology + 5 Achievers. · Marking: 1 mark per question except the Achievers Section: 2 marks each for Classes 1-4 (40 marks in total) and 3 marks each for Classes 5-12 (60 marks in total). SOF's published pattern does not mention negative marking. · Language: English only
How to register
Only through the child's school: the school registers with SOF and sends the student forms, usually at least 30 days before its chosen exam date. Individual registrations are not accepted. Fee: Rs 170 per student per Olympiad incl. GST (India, Bhutan, Nepal), and schools may collect up to Rs 30 extra; US$11 elsewhere.
When it happens
Next Level 1 school dates: 19 November and 3 December 2026. Earlier dates (30 October 2026) have passed. Each school chooses one date; a future exam date does not mean registration is still open. SOF asks schools to submit registrations at least 30 days before their selected date. Level 2 is for qualifying Classes 3–12 only; SOF plans to announce the exact date by December 2026 and provisionally indicates the second or third Sunday of February 2027. This is tentative, not a confirmed exam date. Results are normally available within about 8 weeks. SOF now lists this science exam as International Science Olympiad (ISO); SkillStar retains the NSO category name. Status checked 1 November 2026; times are IST.
Official website, syllabus and sample papers
Links to the organiser's own pages. Past and sample papers are published there by the organiser.
NSO syllabus for other classes
NSO: guides for parents
- SOF Olympiads IMO, NSO and IEO: A Guide for Parents
How the SOF Maths, Science and English Olympiads work: classes, Level 1 and Level 2, the paper pattern, and a gentle way to help your child prepare.
6 min read
NSO Class 10: questions parents ask
- What is in the NSO Class 10 syllabus for 2026-27?
- 16 topics in Logical Reasoning, Science and Achievers Section, laid out subject by subject on this page. On SkillStar your child can tick off each topic as they learn it.
- Are there NSO Class 10 mock tests on SkillStar?
- Yes, 6 mock tests. Each one is marked the moment your child finishes, with a question-by-question review, and can be taken again as often as they like.
- Can I download NSO Class 10 papers?
- Yes. The NSO Downloads tab on SkillStar has 3 files for this class.
- How does my child start NSO Class 10 practice?
- Sign up free as a parent, add your child with their class, and pick NSO from the exam list. Every new family gets welcome credits, lots of content costs nothing, and anything paid shows its price in credits before you decide.
- Is SkillStar the official NSO website?
- No. SkillStar is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the organisers of these exams. Exam names belong to their respective owners. Check dates, fees and registration with the NSO organisers.
SkillStar is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the organisers of these exams. Exam names belong to their respective owners.