ICSE Class 9 Syllabus 2028 History and Civics

ICSE
INDIAN CERTIFICATE OF
SECONDARY EDUCATION
EXAMINATION
YEAR 2028

H.C.G
HISTORY & CIVICS
(50)

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.

HISTORY, CIVICS AND GEOGRAPHY (50)
HISTORY AND CIVICS
H.C.G. - Paper - 1
Candidates offering History, Civics and Geography (Thailand) are not eligible to offer History, Civics and
Geography.

Aims:
1. To provide an understanding of the working of the Indian government necessary for the students to grow
into responsible, enlightened citizens in a secular democracy.
2. To enrich the understanding of those aspects of Indian historical development which are crucial to the
understanding of contemporary India.
3. To awaken a desirable understanding in pupils of the various streams which have contributed to the
development and growth of the Indian nation and its civilisation and culture.
4. To develop a world historical perspective of the contributions made by various cultures to the total heritage
of mankind.

CLASS IX
There will be one paper of two hours duration carrying 80 marks and an Internal Assessment of 20 marks.
SECTION A: CIVICS
An elementary study is required of this section without verbatim study of the Constitutional Articles in detail.

1. Our Constitution
Definition of Constitution - date of adoption, date of enforcement and its significance. Features: Single
Citizenship, Universal Adult Franchise, Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties, Directive
Principles of State Policy (meaning), Difference between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles,
Meaning of a Welfare State.

2. Elections
Meaning; Composition and functions of Election Commission of India; Direct and Indirect election;
General election; Mid-term election and By-election.

3. The State Legislatures
The Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.
Meaning of Unicameral and Bicameral Legislatures, term, composition, qualification for membership,
powers and functions.

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SECTION B: HISTORY

1. The Harappan Civilisation
Sources: Great Bath, Citadel, seals, bearded man, dancing girl, dockyard, granaries, script.
Urban planning, trade, art & craft, and its decline.

2. The Vedic Period
Sources: Names of the four Vedas and importance of epics.
Early Vedic Period- Social Organisation- Family, Position of the king; Rig Vedic Assemblies- Sabha,
Samiti, Vidhatha.
Brief comparative study of the position of women in Early and Later Vedic society.
A brief comparison between the economy of Early and Later Vedic Period.
The four class divisions, the four Ashramas and the education system.

3. Jainism and Buddhism
Sources: Angas, Tripitikas and Jatakas (brief mention).
Causes for their rise in the 6th century B.C.
Doctrines- Jainism-Tri-ratnas, Karma, Equality, Moksha
Buddhism- The Four Noble truths, The Eight-fold path, Nirvana.

4. The Mauryan Empire
Sources: Arthashastra, Indika, Ashokan Edicts, Sanchi Stupa.
Names of the kings in chronological order and administration; Ashoka’s Dhamma - Principles and Impact

5. The Sangam Age
Sources: Tirukkural and Megaliths.
Society – Position of women
Economy - Agriculture and Trade

6. The Age of the Guptas
Sources: Account of Fa-hien; Allahabad Pillar Inscription.
Names of the kings in chronological order; administration; Contribution to the fields of Education
(Nalanda University), Science (Aryabhatta), Sushrutha (medicine) and Culture (works of Kalidasa,
Deogarh temple).

7. Medieval India
(a) The Cholas
Sources: Inscriptions; Brihadishwara Temple.
Names of the kings in chronological order and administration; Chola art.
(b) The Delhi Sultanate
Sources: Inscriptions; Qutab Minar.
Names of the dynasties in chronological order
Alauddin Khilji – Market Regulations, Deccan Expedition, Measures against nobility, Military reforms,
Revenue reforms
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq-Transfer of capital, Token Currency, Taxation in Doab, Plan of conquests.
(c) The Mughal Empire
Sources: Ain-i-Akbari, Taj Mahal, Jama Masjid and Red Fort.
Names of the kings in chronological order.

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Babur- The three battles waged to consolidate his empire.
Akbar-Rajput Policy, Steps towards integration, social and educational reforms, mansabdari system.
(d) Composite Culture
Factors responsible for composite culture, principles of the Bhakti and Sufi movement, impact of
composite culture, impact of the Bhakti Movement, the Sufi Movement and Christian missionaries.

8. The Modern Age in Europe
(a) Renaissance
Definition, causes (capture of Constantinople, decline of Feudalism, new trade routes, spirit of
enquiry and invention of the printing press) and impact on art, literature and science (Leonardo Da
Vinci, William Shakespeare and Copernicus). Consequences of Renaissance.
(b) Reformation
Meaning, Causes of reformation (dissatisfaction with the practices of the Catholic Church and new
learning); Martin Luther’s contribution, Counter Reformation.
(c) Industrial Revolution
Definition of the term. Causes of Industrial Revolution, meaning of capitalism and causes for the rise
of capitalism, meaning of socialism and causes for the rise of socialism.

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
Any one project/assignment related to the syllabus.
Suggested Assignments
• ‘The Indian constitution protects the rights of children, women, minorities and weaker sections.’ Elaborate
on the basis of a case study.
• ‘Fundamental Duties complement Fundamental Rights.’ Illustrate with the help of a Power Point
Presentation.
• Highlight the civic issues of your locality and what suggestions would you offer to address them.
• Visit a museum or local site of historical importance and discuss its significance.
• Discuss the art and architectural features of any of these monuments: Buddhist Caves, Ajanta; Iron Pillar,
Mehrauli; Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur; Mattancherry Synagogue, Cochin; Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati; St.
Thomas Basilica, Chennai; Tower of Silence, Mumbai.
• Make a pictorial presentation of inventions and innovations as a result of the Industrial Revolution.
 Make a comparative study of the Harappan and the Mesopotamian Civilisations.

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