ICSE Class 9 Syllabus 2028 Yoga

ICSE
INDIAN CERTIFICATE OF
SECONDARY EDUCATION
EXAMINATION
YEAR 2028

YOGA
(84)

Developed by:
Research, Development and Curriculum Division (RDCD)
CISCE

January 2026
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

MISSION STATEMENT

The Council for the Indian School Certificate
Examinations is committed to serving the nation's
children, through high quality educational
endeavours, empowering them to contribute towards
a humane, just and pluralistic society, promoting
introspective living, by creating exciting learning
opportunities, with a commitment to excellence.

ETHOS OF CISCE

Trust and fair play.
Minimum monitoring.
Allowing schools to evolve their own niche.
Catering to the needs of the children.
Giving freedom to experiment with new ideas
and practices.
Diversity and plurality - the basic strength for
evolution of ideas.
Schools to motivate pupils towards the
cultivation of:
Excellence - The Indian and Global
experience.
Values - Spiritual and cultural - to be the bedrock
of the educational experience.
Schools to have an 'Indian Ethos', strong roots in
the national psyche and be sensitive to national
aspirations.

YOGA (84)

Aims:
1. To enable young people to generate an understanding of the principles of yogic practices so as to improve
quality of life.
2. To develop the ability to perform appropriate yogic asanas so as to improve physical and mental conditions
and emotional equilibrium.
3. To help youngsters improve psychological functions, e.g. awareness, concentration, will power and humility.
4. To foster team spirit amongst the youth and avoid unhealthy competition.
5. To develop appreciation for Indian cultural practices that support meaningful and relevant educational
strategies.
6. To create opportunities to develop ideals, social skills and strengths.

CLASS IX
There will be one written paper of two hours duration carrying 100 marks and Internal Assessment of 100 marks..

PAPER I (THEORY)
SECTION I: HUMAN BIOLOGY
1. The Human Skeleton
Functions and classification; axial and appendicular skeletal system; types of joints.
Functions of the human skeleton; classification of the skeletal system; the axial skeletal system: skull bones
and vertebral column. Curves of the spine: cervical curve, thoracic curve, lumbar curve, sacral curve, coccyx.
Rib cage and sternum, structure and functions (briefly); the appendicular skeletal system:
Location of pectoral girdle (scapula and clavicle), bones of arms; pelvic girdle-ilium, pubis, ischium; bones
of the legs.
Types of joints: immovable, movable: Pivot, Hinge, Gliding, Ball and socket (with examples). Tendons,
Ligaments, joints, cartilage - definition and basic function.

2. The Muscular System
Types of muscles, how muscles are attached, their role in movement. Important muscles of the human body,
importance of a good posture.
Types of Muscles, cardiac, striated and smooth muscles;
Understanding a Muscle: (i) Its ability to contract(briefly) ii) Its ability to extend (briefly) (iii) Muscle tone
and its importance for maintaining posture (iv) Attachment of muscles to bones through tendons and a basic
understanding of how muscles make movement possible (v) Concept of agonist and antagonist muscles.

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Identifying the following important muscles:(i) Muscles in the neck and shoulder regions-Trapezius and
Deltoid (ii) Muscles in the arms-biceps and triceps (iii) Muscles in the chest pectorals, intercostal muscles(iv)
Muscles in the belly-Rectus abdominis, oblique, Transversus (v) Muscles along the spine-Paraspinal muscles
(vi)Muscles in the buttocks-Gluteal muscles (vii) Muscles in the thighs -Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Adductors,
viii) Diaphragm.
Importance of a good posture: An understanding that a poor posture (rounded shoulders, a hunched back)
can lead to headaches, backaches and sluggishness. A poor posture also interferes with healthy breathing.

3. The Respiratory System
Parts of the respiratory system: role of intercostal muscles, diaphragm, ribs and sternum; role of yoga in
culturing breath and improving respiration.
Parts of the respiratory system: Nasal cavity, Pharynx, Larynx Trachea, Bronchi, Bronchioles, Alveoli, Lungs,
(location and function of each part);
The role of intercostal muscles, diaphragm, ribs and sternum for(i)inspiration (ii) expiration;
How yoga cultures breath and improves respiration.

4. The Digestive System
The alimentary canal and the importance of a healthy diet.
The Alimentary Canal: Mouth, Oesophagus, Stomach, Liver, Pancreas, Small Intestine, Large Intestine,
Rectum, Anus (Location and function, in brief, of each of the above).

SECTION II: SAGES OF INDIA
Candidates are expected to know about the lives and teachings of the following sages of India:

1. Valmiki
Early Life; meeting Narada and the turning point of his life; repetition of ‘Mara’ changing to ‘Rama’;
formation of a Valmika (anthill) hence his name Valmiki; meeting with Rama and Sita; giving shelter to Sita
and her sons Lava and Kusha, when she was banished by Rama; inspiration received to write the Ramayana;
importance of the Ramayana and its story in brief; liberation of Ravana through Rama.

2. Kabir
Birth and early life; Meeting with and discipleship under Swami Ramananda; His marriage; Kabir as a social
and religious rebel; His death in Magar; Works: Kabir Bijak. Concepts expounded by some of his famous
dohas.

3. Mirabai
Birth and early life; Her connection from childhood with Sri Krishna; Her marriage to Prince Bhojraj; Akbar
disguised as a merchant visiting her; Ill treatment at the hands of her in-laws after her husband's demise
(incident of her drinking the poison unaffected); Her last days in Vrindavan; Importance of her poems and
songs.

4. Ramakrishna Paramhansa
Birth and early Life; His marriage to Saradamani; arrival at Dakshineswar and introduction to priesthood;
his meeting with teachers like Bhairavi Brahmani &Totapuri; Any three miraculous events in his life.

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SECTION III:CONCEPTS OF YOGA

1. Guru and Shishya
Importance of Guru in yoga, qualities of Guru, types of shishya and relationship between the Guru and
shishya.

2. The four Purusharthas, the four Ashramas
Basic understanding of the above.

3. The four Margas (Bhakti, Karma, Raja, Jnana)
Bhaktiyoga: the path of emotions: love devotion and worship, types of bhakti: saguna, nirguna and para
bhakti, various ways of worshipping: navdha bhakti, concept of personal god.
Karma yoga: the path of actions, various concepts of karma like (i)Karma kaushalam (excellence in work),
(ii)Nishkama karma (abandonment of expectations for the results and selfish motives), (iii)Samatvam
(equanimity),(iv) faith and surrendering ego, types of karma, black, white and black and white, karmashaya
and how it builds up, role of karma as cause of bondage and salvation.
Raja yoga: the path to inner world through concentration and will to control the mind and its modifications,
ashtanga yoga.
Jnana yoga: the path of wisdom, knowledge and intellect.

4. Patanjali and his contributions to Yoga
A brief story of his life, contribution to Sanskrit grammar, Ayurveda and the Yoga sutras.

5. Ashtanga Yoga as defined in the Yoga Sutras
Bahiranga and Antarangasadhna.
The Five Yamas
Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmcharya, Aparigraha.
The Five Niyamas
Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, Ishwar Pranidhana.
A note on Kriya Yoga asexplained in sutra 2.1
(a) Asanas
(b) Pranayama
(c) Pratyahara
(d) Dharana
(e) Dhyana
(f) Samadhi

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SECTION IV: PSYCHOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF YOGA

1. An Understanding of Yoga
Definition of yoga: according to Patanjali, as explained in the Bhagvad Gita. (yoga is excellence in
action\works)
How is yoga different from other forms of physical exercise? To be discussed with respect to the
interconnection between mind, body, and spirit and how yoga brings these into harmony with each other.
Yoga also addresses imbalances and illnesses at an organic level (the action of yoga reaches the inner organs
and heals chronic ailments from the roots).

2. Hatha Yoga
(a) Understanding the roots
Ha (the sun) Tha (the moon). Hence Hatha yoga is the art and science of balancing power (the sun) with
peace (the moon) as applied to:
(i) Muscles: asanas should strengthen them (sun aspect) and make them flexible (moon aspect).
(ii) Degree of stretch in an asana should not be maximum nor minimum but optimum (balanced and so
recommended).
(b) Breath
(i) Inhalation, the power or the sun aspect of the breath.
(ii) Exhalation, the peace or the moon aspect of the breath.
(c) Nadis
Ida (moon channel, left nostril), Pingala (sun channel, right nostril), Sushumna (central channel) (Just a
basic concept and location of above nadis).

3. Psychological aspect of an asana practice
Reactivity threshold; psychological aspects of: Meditative and relaxing postures, forward bending asanas,
back bending asanas, standing asanas, balancing asanas and inverted asanas.
(a) Reactivity threshold: By watching the breath instead of paying attention to the pain experienced during
an asana one becomes less reactive in day to day life as well.
(b) Meditative and relaxing postures: bring self-discipline, relaxation and steadiness.
(c) Forward bending asanas: Bring peace, release of tension, and humility to the mind.
(d) Back bending asanas: Energise the system and enhance self-esteem.
(e) Standing asanas: Help to root the practitioner in existence. Enhance stability and endurance.
(f) Balancing asanas: Increase concentration and focus.
(g) Inverted asanas: Hormone balancing hence anti-anxiety and anti-depression.

4. Pancha Koshas
Panch Koshas - a concept from the Taittiriya Upanishad: Annamaya Pranamaya, Manomaya,
Vijnanamaya,Anandamaya kosha.
A basic understanding of how a human being is made up of the above sheaths; how each sheath is related to
the next sheath.An understanding of the relationship between life force (prana) and the physical body
(Annamaya) so also an understanding of connection between thoughts (Manomaya) and the energy flowing
in the body (Pranamaya).

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5. Pancha Pranas
Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana, Vyana
Location and basic functions of the above 5 pranas.

6. The Seven Chakras
Muladhara, Swadishthana, Manipura, Anahata, Visuddhi, Ajna, Sahasrara
Location and functions; the element the chakra is associated with; colour of the chakra.

7. Sutras
Sutras 2.29. 2.46
The above two sutras should be known with their meanings.

8. Yogachara: wellness through the four pillars of yoga
(i) Ahar (diet)
An introduction to the concepts of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas as applied to food; The importance of a
healthy diet and its effect on physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Importance of the following:
(a) Incorporating seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables in the diet
(b) Drinking adequate amount of water in a day
(c) Health hazards of in taking an excess of aerated drinks, refined flour, salt, white sugar, packaged
foods.
(d) Concept of mitahar (as in Hatha yoga), importance of eating right quality and quantity of food.
(ii) Vihar (relaxation and recreation)
Importance of conscious relaxation as in shavasana, doing recreational activities (developing creative
hobbies) in which, body, mind and emotions are involved.
(iii) Achar
Importance of discipline in routines and actions/work; for example: sleep and wake up early, maintain
meal times.
(iv) Vichar(thoughts)
Positive thinking, pratipaksh bhavana, understanding the temporary nature of the objects through Anitya
bhavana, attitude of gratitude and forgiveness, surrendering the ‘I ‘sense.

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PAPER II (Internal Assessment)
The practical work is divided into two sections as follows:
Section A (40 Marks): Course Work - the course work will be assessed by the teacher on the basis of continuous
assessment. The candidate will be assessed on the basis of his/her output in the following areas:
(a) Degree of effort and progress in his/her yoga practice (judged through periodical tests).
(b) Assisting the yoga therapy sessions.
(c) Improving his/her own health and well being through yoga therapy.
(d) Participation in programmes..

Section B (60 Marks): This section will consist of three Practical Tests.
Test 1: Predetermined Asanas (30 marks)
The pupil must perform any six asanas from those given below:
Utthita Trikonasana, Utthita Parshvakonasana, Virbhadrasana I, Virbhadrasana II, Parasarita Pada Uttanasana I,
Adho Mukha Shvanasana, Shirshasana (half),Karna Pidasana.
Test 2: Directed asanas (20 marks)
The pupil must perform 4 or 5 asanas of the teacher's choice. (The teacher will select asanas from the Class IX
syllabus only). The teacher may test the pupil's ability to adapt and modify asanas.
Test 3: Preference of asanas (10 marks)
The pupil will perform 2 asanas of his/her own choice.
Important Notes: The pupil must choose two asanas from the Class IX syllabus only.
The pupil must not choose any asanas that he/she has already demonstrated in Test 1 and Test 2.
The practical work is to be covered under the following categories:
(A) Asanas
1. Vrikshasana
2. Garudasana
3. Utthita Trikonasana
4. Utthita Parshva Konasana
5. Virbhadrasana I
6. Virbhadrasana II
7. Prasarita Pada Uttanasana I
8. Pada Hastasana
9. Adho Mukha Shvanasana
10. Parvatasana
11. UrdhvaPrasaritaPadasana
12. Supta Virasana
13. Ushtrasana
14. Dhanurasana
15. Marichyasana 1 (Twist only)
16. Bharadvajasana I

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17. Bharadvajasana II
18. Malasana (Squatting only)
19. Shirshasana (half shirshasana, wherein, the student can climb the wall and rest the toes on the wall while
doing shirshasana).
20. SalambhaSarvangasana I
21. Halasana
22. Karna Pidasana
23. Supta Konasana

(B) The Surya Namaskar
(C) Breathing\pranayama
1. Anapanasati - sensing the incoming and outgoing breath in the nasal passages for about 3 minutes to begin
within order to slow down thoughts. This can be eventually extended to 5 minutes.
2. Abdominal Breathing, the students should be made aware that the belly should move outwards when we
inhale and move inwards when we exhale.
3. The Full Yogic breath:
(a) Abdominal breath
(b) Thoracic breath
(c) Clavicular breath

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