ICSE Class 9 Syllabus 2027 Art

ICSE YEAR 2027

INDIAN CERTIFICATE OF
SECONDARY EDUCATION
EXAMINATION

ART
(60)

February 2025
____________________________________________________________________________________________

© Copyright, Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations
All rights reserved. The copyright to this publication and any part thereof solely vests in the Council for the Indian
School Certificate Examinations. This publication and no part thereof may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed or
stored in any manner whatsoever, without the prior written approval of the Council for the Indian School Certificate
Examinations.

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.

ART (60)

Aims: 2. To develop an interest in the world of art.
1. To acquire a knowledge of artistic terms, facts, 3. To develop an artistic attitude and values through
concepts, theories and principles in drawing and the study of art.
painting, i.e. imagination, creativity, expression,
4. To acquire skills in observations, handling tools
aesthetic sense, organisation, observation and
and drawing illustrations.
interest.

CLASSES IX AND X
PART 1: EXTERNAL EXAMINATION B. A subject will be set for drawing or painting out of
doors. There should be evidence of a direct study
There will be four papers, candidates will be required from nature.
to offer any two papers:
PAPER 3 (3 hours) Original Imaginative
Paper 1: (3 hours) Drawing and / or Painting from Composition in Colour
Still Life - 100 Marks
Paper 2: (3 hours) Drawing and / or Painting from A paper containing a list of alternative subjects will be
Nature - 100 Marks given to candidates one week before the examination.
The actual composition will be executed in the
Paper 3: (3 hours) Original Imaginative Composition examination room after a period of not less than 7 days
in Colour - 100 Marks from the distribution of the paper to the candidates;
Paper 4: (3 hours) Applied Art - 100 Marks sketches or other notes must not be taken into the
examination room. Since this is a test of original work,
PAPER 1 (3 hours) Drawing and / or Painting from it would be inappropriate for any form of guidance to
Still Life be given to candidates other than that printed on the
A group of objects which will be artificial or natural question paper. A variety of themes will be set; these
and may include such things as cut flowers, fruits, may be given in the form of titles indicating the subject
vegetables, a growing plant, as well as domestic or or of specified subjects for inclusion in composition,
other artificial objects: the group may be drawn or or in any other form that will stimulate the
painted. The work can be carried out, if the candidate imagination. Candidates should base their work, if
wishes, in relation to the surroundings or the part of possible, on scenes which they have themselves
the room in which the group is placed. If the group is observed. Any style or technique including that which
painted, the background must be included. is traditional in the candidate’s own area may be used.
PAPER 2 (3 hours) Drawing and / or Painting from PAPER 4 (3 hours) Applied Art
Nature
Candidates will be required to answer any one
This paper is divided into two separate sections. question. The object of this paper is to test the ability
Candidates may offer either A or B. In both sections, of candidates in craftwork where the material is
the subject may be interpreted freely, either in a restricted to flat paper, ink and/or colour. Questions
decorative or in a realistic manner. will be set requiring the design and execution of the
A. Study of the structure of natural forms: such as a following:
spray or branch, which may include flowers,  the page of a book, book cover, or end paper;
foliage or fruit, fossils, bones, etc. Candidates are
expected to reveal their appreciation of natural  a notice or pictorial poster;
growth or structure by means of drawing or  a card such as Christmas card or invitation card, or
painting. emblem;

1

 a patterned paper for a specific purpose. climatic conditions in the selection of flower
specimens, etc.
Several but not all of these alternative subjects will be
set, and candidates will be required to select any one (f) The paper supplied for use in the examination
of them. There will be an opportunity to make full use room will be about 35cm x 25 cm. Schools or
of the calligrapher's art withdrawn and painted, pen- candidates wishing to work on a large scale, not
made or brush-written lettering. larger than Half-Imperial or Royal (65 cm x 50
cm) or on a different type of tone or paper, will be
Notes at liberty to provide their own. Work which is
(a) Any medium may be used provided that it is carried out on stiff boards, or which is mounted
suitable for the subject. Painted work must be cannot be accepted. The paper used by candidates
carried out in a quick-drying medium and must be must not be less than 35 cm x 25 cm and the work
completely dry before it is dispatched. When submitted must fill or approximately fill the page.
acrylic paint is used for examination work, it must (g) All drawing must be packed flat and not rolled.
be mixed with water. All paints used must be of Half-Imperial and Royal sheets should be folded
adequate quality; if coloured crayons or chalk are across the middle, when drawings are too large to
used, they must have a range and quality enclose in the envelopes provided, it is essential
comparable with that of paints and must be that the information required on the front of the
carefully fixed at the examination centre before envelope be given and that the envelope itself be
the work is sent to the Examiner. Monochrome packed in the same parcel with the drawings.
may be used where permitted by the regulations
for each Paper but will not be accepted as (h) Examiners are caused great inconvenience by
satisfying the requirement in respect of colour for candidates failing to write their examination
Paper 3. number either clearly or correctly, thus making
identification difficult. Schools are asked to co-
(b) Candidates must use their judgement with regard operate by impressing upon candidates that they
to (i) the size of a drawing or painting (ii) the must write their names on drawings and paintings
proportion of height to width within the space on the front (top right-hand corner) and also on the
available. In all cases credit will be given to good back of their assignments.
composition.
They must not write anything else on the front of
(c) In each of Papers 1 to 3, the test is of free drawing the picture. Failure to observe this instruction may
or painting. Therefore, any mechanical means for result in loss of marks.
the execution of the drawing or painting (such as
measuring or ruling) are not allowed. Instruments Standing Instructions for Supervisors
and tracing papers are allowed for Paper 4, but PAPERS 1 and 2:
candidates are advised to restrict their use as far as
possible. The printed 'Instructions' for these papers, which are
sent to schools well in advance of the examination,
(d) Where question papers or printed instructions
will be limited, as far as possible, to the subjects of the
provide for alternative groups, etc., the Supervisor
tests. They are for the use of the Supervisors only, in
in consultation with an Art Teacher will decide
consultation with the Art teacher.
which of these alternatives is to form the subject
of the examination, after taking account of local It is important that early attention should be given to
convenience, etc. At centres for candidates from the provision of the subjects required. In both Papers
more than one school, both of the alternative 1 and 2, alternative assignment must be set if required
subjects in Paper 2 (Plant Drawing) must be by candidates.
provided if they are required by schools or The group or subject should be arranged so that each
candidates. candidate obtains an uninterrupted view; for Paper 1
(e) Suitable alternative subjects will be provided for and 2, candidates should not be more than 4 m from
the different areas, so far as this may appear the group. Candidates may form a semicircle but not a
desirable. Account will be taken of different complete circle round the groups; more than one
session may be arranged if there is a large number of

2

candidates. The examination must be held in good PART 2:
light but care must be taken that the sunlight does not
fall upon the group or subject while work is in (To be assessed internally by the School - 100 marks).
progress. If the group or subject is painted, the Practical Work in Art
background must be included.
(A) Course Work
The surface on which the group of objects for Paper 1
and the group for painting only in Paper 2 is arranged (1) Candidates will be required to practice sketching,
must be below the level of the candidate's eye-level. painting, drawing, etc., in preparation for the
examination. They will also undertake practical
Drawing and / or Painting from Nature: work on any of the topics suggested below. The
Alternative A. Study of the structure of natural forms: practical work of the candidates will be assessed
It is desirable that each candidate be given a separate by the teacher as course work. The teacher is free
specimen and be permitted to handle and arrange to assess the course work either on the basis of
them. continuous assessment or on the basis of
periodical tests.
If the specimens named in the Instruction are not
available, Supervisors may, with the assistance of the (2) Suggested topics for practical work:
Art teacher, substitute other specimens as similar as (i) Pottery work.
possible to those which have been set. The name of the
specimen used must be stated on the back of the (ii) Sculpture; any medium.
drawing in small block letters. (iii) Carving in any available material: e.g.
Sprays, when these are set, must be reasonably large wood, plaster, stone.
and full and in good condition: they should be (iv) Panel or relief in clay or plaster.
displayed in a vase or bottle and be clearly visible
against a plain background. The container must not be (v) Block-printing, batik, tie and dye, etc., on
drawn. any material.
Or (vi) Printing from original wood or lino block.
Alternative B. Direct study of nature: (vii) Creative Photography.
A subject is to be set for drawing or painting out of (viii) Cartoon and portrait drawing.
doors. Evidence of direct study in the outdoors must
be discernible. (ix) Animation.
Original Imaginative Composition in Colour: (B) Finished Work
Copies of the Paper are to be given to the candidates In addition to the course work the candidates will
at least a week before the paper is taken in the have to submit four pieces of finished Artwork
examination room. Candidates should be instructed to for assessment by the External Examiner. The
bring their copies of the questions paper with them at topics on which these pieces of Artwork may be
the time fixed for this examination. based can be taken from the syllabus or from any
of the topics listed in (A) (2) above or from any
Applied Art: other aspect of Art.
At centres where necessary arrangements can be (C) Assessment
made, candidates may cut and print from a block in the
examination room. Folded and cutout paper may be The teacher and the External Examiner will
used in making designs. A collage may be used. assess the Artwork of the candidates on
impression by placing the work of the candidates
in groups, giving the following aspects due
consideration:
 Imaginative expression.
 Quality of pattern, line and materials.

3

 Skill in the use of tools and materials.
 Use of colour.
Other aspects may also be considered depending
on the nature of the practical work.
(D) Award of Marks (100 Marks)
Subject Teacher (Internal Examiner) 50 marks
External Examiner 50 marks
The total marks obtained out of 100 are to be sent
to CISCE by the Head of the school.
The Head of the school will be responsible for the
online entry of marks on CISCE’s CAREERS portal
by the due date.

4

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT IN ART - GUIDELINES FOR MARKING WITH GRADES
Criteria Preparation Procedure/ Testing Observation Inference/ Results Presentation

Grade I Size, perspective, placement Shapes, likeness, flow Usage of light and darkness, Perfect mastery over the Inspired, technically
(4 marks) and left-over spaces utilized of drawing and flow of colour scheme, texture- colour, brush handling and the sound and good to
well. line. innovation instruments used. eyes.

Grade II Any one aspect is wrong. Any one aspect is All the above aspects are Good handling of above All above aspects are
(3 marks) wrong. without innovation. aspects. without inspiration.

Grade III Any two aspects are wrong. Any two aspects are All the above aspects are Poor handling of some aspects. Good to the eyes but
(2 marks) wrong. without proper texture. with technical errors.

Grade IV Any three aspects are Any three aspects are Only one aspect is proper Poor handling of most aspects. Not so presentable and
(1 mark) wrong. wrong. with technical errors.

Grade V All the aspects are wrong. All the aspects are All the aspects are wrong. Poor in all aspects. Unappealing in all
(0 marks) wrong. aspects.

5