NCERT English Class 10 Solutions cover the two prescribed readers — First Flight and Footprints Without Feet — that CBSE-affiliated students study for the Class 10 board examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). For the 2026–27 academic session, the NCERT textbooks and the CBSE curriculum framework remain the authoritative basis for all chapter content, summaries, and question-answer guidance provided on this page.
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CBSE Class 10 2023 Latest Update as on 04 Sep 2026
Contains
Checked on 04 Sep 2026
CBSE Class 10 2023 exams and results are long concluded; as of September 2026, CBSE is actively running the 2026-27 academic cycle, and students should refer to cbseacademic.nic.in for current curriculum and school-level guidance.
As of 04 September 2026, the CBSE Class 10 2023 examination cycle — including results, compartment exams, and re-evaluation — has been fully concluded. There are no active notifications, syllabus revisions, or official announcements specifically pertaining to CBSE Class 10 2023 on any official CBSE platform. The Central Board of Secondary Education is currently focused on the 2026-27 academic session. According to cbseacademic.nic.in, a new Curriculum Framework for Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence for Classes III–VIII has been released, and teacher capacity-building programmes for September 2026 are underway. Students currently in Class 10 (2026-27) should monitor cbseacademic.nic.in for the latest sample papers, syllabus documents, and school-level exam schedules. Based on previous-year patterns, the LOC (List of Candidates) registration for Board Exams 2027 is expected to open in October–November 2026. Students seeking NCERT English Class 10 solutions should use the current 2026-27 syllabus documents for reference.
- CBSE academic website (cbseacademic.nic.in) confirms the 2026-27 Curriculum Framework is live, covering Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Classes III–VIII.
- CBSE has announced a Capacity Building Programme for teachers of skill subject 'Beauty & Wellness' (Subject Codes 407 & 807) for Classes IX–X and XI–XII in offline mode, September 2026.
- One-Day Teacher Training/Capacity Building Programme for skill-subject teachers in CBSE-affiliated schools is scheduled for September 2026.
- CBSE's academic site references the National Curriculum Framework-2005 as the broader guiding policy, with updates in line with current government acts.
- CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2027 registration (LOC submission) expected to open around October–November 2026, based on previous-year patterns (last year: Oct–Nov 2025).
- CBSE Class 10 practical/internal assessment schedule for 2026-27 expected to be notified by December 2026 (tentative, based on prior-year pattern).
- CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2027 datesheet expected to be released around December 2026–January 2027 (last year: December 2025).
- CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2027 tentatively expected February–March 2027 (consistent with annual cycle).
- CBSE Class 10 Results 2027 tentatively expected May–June 2027, as per previous-year pattern (last year: May 2026).
- Updated sample papers and marking schemes for 2026-27 session expected on cbseacademic.nic.in around September–October 2026 (tentative).
Sources: CBSE Official Website · CBSE Academic Website
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Exam Level | National (Class 10 Board) |
| Academic Session | 2026–27 |
| Board Exam (2027) | February–March 2027 (expected; not yet confirmed) |
| Prescribed English Textbooks | First Flight and Footprints Without Feet (NCERT) |
| Official CBSE Website | www.cbse.gov.in |
| Academic Curriculum Portal | cbseacademic.nic.in |
| Syllabus Status (2026–27) | Confirmed — detailed curriculum available on cbseacademic.nic.in |
| Exam Date Status (2027) | Expected — official datesheet not yet released |
Status note: exam dates and the datesheet above are indicative based on previous-year patterns. Treat them as expected until CBSE releases the official 2027 datesheet on cbse.gov.in.
Having tracked CBSE Class 10 resources for several years, we have noticed three things that consistently trip up students: (1) Many students read only chapter summaries and skip the NCERT exercises entirely — examiners directly lift questions from those exercises; (2) The poems in First Flight account for a meaningful share of marks, yet students often leave them to the last week of revision; (3) Every time CBSE uploads the official datesheet or sample papers, its servers slow considerably — bookmark cbseacademic.nic.in and try early morning for fastest access.
Why NCERT English Class 10 Solutions Matter for Your 2027 Board Exam
English is a high-scoring subject in Class 10 and can meaningfully improve your overall percentage. The CBSE Class 10 English paper is divided into Reading, Writing, and Literature sections. The Literature section draws entirely from the two NCERT readers. Understanding the themes, characters, and language of each chapter — not just memorising summaries — is what separates a Band 4 answer from a Band 1 answer in CBSE’s marking scheme.
The chapter-by-chapter guidance below is structured to help you: (a) understand the core idea of each lesson, (b) anticipate the types of questions examiners ask, and (c) connect themes across chapters — a skill tested in higher-order questions.
Important Dates — CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2027
| Event | Previous Year (2026) Reference | Expected 2027 Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release of Detailed Curriculum / Syllabus | Available on cbseacademic.nic.in by mid-2025 | Already available (2026–27 curriculum confirmed on cbseacademic.nic.in) | Confirmed |
| CBSE Sample Papers released | September–October 2025 | September–October 2026 (expected) | Expected |
| Board Exam Datesheet released | December 2025 | December 2026 (expected) | Expected |
| Class 10 Board Exams begin | February 2026 | February 2027 (expected) | Expected |
| Class 10 Board Exams conclude | March 2026 | March 2027 (expected) | Expected |
| Result Declaration | May 2026 | May 2027 (expected) | Expected |
Disclaimer: All 2027 dates above are indicative, derived from previous-year patterns. They will be updated to confirmed status once CBSE publishes the official datesheet and notification on cbse.gov.in.
CBSE Class 10 English Exam Pattern 2026–27 (Overview)
Major Changes This Year
No new official change has been announced for CBSE Class 10 2023, as that cycle is fully complete; the 2026-27 curriculum framework, including updated AI and Computational Thinking subjects, is now active.
No major change has been officially announced yet specifically for CBSE Class 10 2023, as that academic cycle is fully complete. For the ongoing 2026-27 session, CBSE has officially introduced a new Curriculum Framework for Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Classes III–VIII, as confirmed on cbseacademic.nic.in. Additionally, skill subjects such as 'Beauty & Wellness' continue under updated teacher training programmes. Any changes to the Class 10 English syllabus or NCERT text selections for future sessions have not been officially notified yet and should be treated as tentative until CBSE publishes a formal circular.
| Section | Component | Approx. Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A | Reading Comprehension (Unseen Passages) | 20 |
| B | Writing and Grammar | 20 |
| C | Literature — Textbooks (First Flight + Footprints Without Feet) | 40 |
| — | Internal Assessment | 20 |
| Total | 100 |
Note: The exact mark distribution for 2026–27 should be verified against the official CBSE curriculum document on cbseacademic.nic.in once sample papers are released. The figures above reflect the approx. pattern from the 2026 cycle.
First Flight — Chapter-wise NCERT Solutions and Summaries (Prose)
Chapter 1 — A Letter to God
Written by G.L. Fuentes, this opening chapter explores the theme of unshakeable, almost naive faith. Lencho, a farmer, loses his entire crop to a devastating hailstorm and writes a letter directly to God asking for financial help. The postmaster, moved by Lencho’s faith, collects money from colleagues and sends it in reply. Lencho, however, is disappointed because the amount is less than he requested and suspects the post office staff of stealing the remainder. The chapter is frequently asked upon for questions about dramatic irony and the theme of human faith versus human cynicism.
Chapter 2 — Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
This chapter is an excerpt from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela (born 18 July 1918). It covers the ceremonial inauguration of South Africa’s first democratic government after decades of apartheid — a system that denied people rights on the basis of skin colour. Mandela reflects on how oppression brutalises both the oppressed and the oppressor, and expresses his vision of a society free of discrimination based on ethnicity, caste, age, or gender. Questions often focus on Mandela’s concept of courage and the twin obligations he felt — to his people and to his oppressors.
Chapter 3 — Two Stories about Flying
His First Flight is the story of a young seagull too afraid to attempt his first flight, even as his siblings — with thinner, less developed wings — fly confidently. Hunger eventually forces him off the ledge, and he discovers that his wings work. Black Aeroplane follows a pilot flying through a storm-filled night sky who is guided to safety by a mysterious aircraft — only to discover upon landing that no second plane was in the air. Both stories are rich in symbolism: the first about overcoming self-doubt, the second about the limits of rational explanation.
Chapter 4 — From the Diary of Anne Frank
Drawn from Anne Frank’s famous diary, this excerpt introduces Anne as a Jewish girl who begins keeping a diary because she feels she has no true confidant. The excerpt also captures the classroom dynamics between Anne and her mathematics teacher, Mr Keesing, who repeatedly punishes her chattiness with extra essay assignments. Anne responds with humour and creativity, eventually winning even her teacher’s admiration. Examiners regularly ask students to compare Anne’s attitude towards her diary with how young people express themselves today.
Chapter 5 — The Hundred Dresses – I
Wanda Petronski claims to own a hundred dresses, yet comes to school every day in the same faded blue dress. Her classmates — particularly Peggy and Maddie — tease her about the claim. The chapter builds slowly towards a revelation: Wanda has, in fact, drawn a hundred beautiful dress designs and entered them in the school’s art contest, winning first prize. The chapter is a nuanced study of poverty, social exclusion, and the quiet dignity of a child who refuses to retaliate.
Chapter 6 — The Hundred Dresses – II
The sequel reveals that Wanda has left school permanently — her father has moved the family to a city where their unusual surname will not invite ridicule. The teacher reads Wanda’s farewell letter to the class, and both Peggy and Maddie feel deep remorse. The emotional resolution comes when they learn that Wanda has gifted each of them one of her hundred drawings. Questions on this chapter often focus on the theme of empathy arriving too late, and the moral responsibility of bystanders.
Chapter 7 — Glimpses of India
This chapter contains three distinct pieces. A Baker from Goa by Lucio Rodrigues is a nostalgic account of the Portuguese-era bakers (known as pader) who were once an indispensable part of Goan life and continue to hold cultural significance. Coorg by Lokesh Abrol describes the hill district in Karnataka — its misty rainforests, wildlife, the warrior traditions of the Kodava people, and the river Kaveri. Tea from Assam by Arup Kumar Datta follows two friends on a train journey through Assam’s vast tea estates and introduces the legends surrounding the origins of tea. Together, the three pieces give students a glimpse of India’s regional diversity — a theme that connects to the wider CBSE curriculum emphasis on cultural understanding.
Chapter 8 — Mijbil the Otter
Naturalist and writer Gavin Maxwell describes how his life changed after he adopted an otter — named Mijbil, or Mij — in Iraq, following the death of his dog. The chapter details Mij’s playful personality, his love of water, and the extraordinary logistical challenges of transporting a live otter from Basra to London. The narrative is often used in class to discuss the ethics of keeping wild animals as pets and the human tendency to form deep bonds with animals.
Chapter 9 — Madam Rides the Bus
Written by Vallikannan (translated from Tamil), this story centres on Valli, an eight-year-old girl fascinated by the bus that runs past her village. She saves her pocket money, secretly plans a solo bus ride to the nearby town and back, and carries it off entirely on her own. On the return journey she witnesses the death of a young cow on the road and is confronted, for the first time, with the reality of mortality. The story is frequently examined for its treatment of childhood curiosity and the transition from innocence to awareness.
Chapter 10 — The Sermon at Benares
This chapter recounts a pivotal episode from the life of Gautama Buddha. Kisa Gotami, a grieving mother who has lost her young son, approaches the Buddha for a miracle to restore her child’s life. He sends her to find mustard seed from a household that has never known death — an impossible task that helps her understand that death is universal and grief, while natural, should not become an endless source of suffering. The lesson is widely asked upon in questions about the theme of acceptance and the nature of sorrow.
Chapter 11 — The Proposal
Anton Chekhov’s one-act comedy is a satirical look at how wealth shapes human relationships. Ivan Lomov arrives at his neighbour Chubukov’s house intending to propose marriage to Chubukov’s daughter Natalya — but every attempt at the proposal is derailed by quarrels over land and the pedigree of their respective dogs. The comedy highlights how trivialities dominate conversations even in significant moments. Examiners often ask for a character sketch of Lomov or for an analysis of what the play says about the landed gentry’s priorities.
Footprints Without Feet — Chapter-wise NCERT Solutions and Summaries (Prose)
Chapter 1 — A Triumph of Surgery
Mrs Pumphrey’s pet dog Tricki is dangerously overweight because she cannot refuse him food or treats. The family’s vet, Dr Herriot, persuades her to leave Tricki in his care for a fortnight. At the surgery, Tricki receives no special food — just exercise and company from the other dogs — and recovers completely. The story is a gentle satire on how over-indulgence, even when motivated by love, can cause harm to those we care about most.
Chapter 2 — The Thief’s Story
A fifteen-year-old habitual thief who changes his name monthly to stay ahead of those he has deceived befriends Anil, a kind and trusting young writer. He steals money from Anil but, in a moment of moral clarity, returns it before leaving. The story explores how trust and human decency have more transforming power than punishment, and is regularly examined for questions about the thief’s internal conflict and the theme of redemption.
Chapter 3 — The Midnight Visitor
Ausable, a secret agent, does not fit the stereotype of the dashing spy — he is overweight, speaks with a heavy accent, and operates from a dull hotel room. Yet when an armed intruder, Fowler, confronts him for a secret report, Ausable coolly invents a story about a non-existent balcony below his window and the imminent arrival of the police. Panicked, the intruder jumps out of the window to escape and falls to the ground. The chapter is a study in the power of quick thinking over physical force.
Chapter 4 — A Question of Trust
Horace Danby is a meticulous thief who steals only once a year, using the proceeds to fund his passion for rare books. While robbing a country house, he is outwitted by a woman who convinces him she is the owner of the house and persuades him to open the safe for her — without wearing gloves. She is herself a thief, and Horace is later arrested. The chapter raises questions about professional honour among criminals and the irony of being deceived by a member of one’s own profession.
Chapter 5 — Footprints Without Feet
Griffin, a scientist who has discovered how to make himself invisible, uses his power not for the common good but for theft and self-indulgence. Invisible, he wanders into a London shop, a theatrical store, and eventually a village inn, terrorising people along the way. The chapter — which lends the book its title — is a moral fable about the misuse of scientific discovery and serves as an early science-fiction cautionary tale. Examiners frequently ask students to evaluate whether Griffin is a victim of circumstance or a criminal by choice.
Chapter 6 — The Making of a Scientist
This biographical piece traces the scientific journey of Richard Ebright, who begins as a young butterfly collector and, with the support of scientist Dr Urquhart, progresses to conducting original research into butterfly hormones. His work eventually contributes to a new theory about how DNA in cells works. The chapter is used in CBSE exams to discuss how curiosity, mentorship, and perseverance together build a scientific career — and to ask factual questions about Ebright’s experiments.
Chapter 7 — The Necklace
Guy de Maupassant’s classic short story follows Matilda Loisel, a clerk’s wife who yearns for a life of luxury. She borrows a diamond necklace from her wealthy friend Madame Forestier for a ball, loses it, and spends ten years in poverty repaying the debt of replacing it — only to discover at the end that the original necklace was a fake worth almost nothing. The story is a masterclass in irony and is examined for themes of ambition, honesty, and the consequences of pride.
Chapter 8 — The Hack Driver
A young lawyer is sent to the small town of New Mullion to serve a summons on a man named Oliver Lutkins. He meets a friendly hack driver who volunteers to help him search the town, driving him from place to place all day — all without success. The hack driver turns out to be Lutkins himself. The chapter satirises the naivety of book-educated professionals who cannot read people as well as they can read texts, and is often examined for questions about the narrator’s character.
Chapter 9 — Bholi
Bholi (Sulekha) is considered dull and unattractive after a childhood illness left her with pockmarks and a stammer. Her family has low expectations for her, but a kind schoolteacher encourages her, builds her confidence, and helps her discover her voice. When her family arranges her marriage to a greedy older man who demands a large dowry at the ceremony itself, Bholi publicly refuses — a dramatic act of self-assertion that surprises everyone who had underestimated her. The story is examined for questions on education as an agent of social change and on the theme of gender equality.
Chapter 10 — The Book That Saved the Earth
Set in the twenty-fifth century, this science-fiction play is narrated in a museum as a historical account. Martians, led by the self-important Think-Tank, plan to invade Earth in the twentieth century. A crew member lands in a public library and retrieves books, which Think-Tank mistakes for sandwiches. When they decode a nursery rhyme — Humpty Dumpty — Think-Tank believes it predicts his downfall and calls off the invasion. The chapter is a comic commentary on the power of books and the absurdity of authoritarian vanity.
NCERT Class 10 English Solutions — PDF Chapter Links
| Textbook | Chapter | |
|---|---|---|
| First Flight | Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom | Download PDF |
| First Flight | Two Stories about Flying | Download PDF |
| First Flight | From the Diary of Anne Frank | Download PDF |
| First Flight | The Hundred Dresses – I | Download PDF |
| First Flight | The Hundred Dresses – II | Download PDF |
| First Flight | Glimpses of India | Download PDF |
| First Flight | Mijbil the Otter | Download PDF |
| First Flight | Madam Rides the Bus | Download PDF |
| First Flight | The Sermon at Benares | Download PDF |
| First Flight | The Proposal | Download PDF |
| Footprints Without Feet | A Triumph of Surgery | Download PDF |
| Footprints Without Feet | The Thief’s Story | Download PDF |
| Footprints Without Feet | The Midnight Visitor | Download PDF |
| Footprints Without Feet | A Question of Trust | Download PDF |
| Footprints Without Feet | Footprints Without Feet (chapter) | Download PDF |
| Footprints Without Feet | The Making of a Scientist | Download PDF |
| Footprints Without Feet | The Necklace | Download PDF |
| Footprints Without Feet | The Hack Driver | Download PDF |
| Footprints Without Feet | Bholi | Download PDF |
| Footprints Without Feet | The Book That Saved the Earth | Download PDF |
How to Use These Solutions Effectively for the 2027 Board Exam
- Read the NCERT chapter first. Solutions are a revision aid, not a replacement for the textbook. CBSE rewards students who demonstrate familiarity with the original text — precise vocabulary from the lesson earns credit in long-answer questions.
- Attempt every NCERT exercise question before checking the answer. Examiners frequently pick questions verbatim from the textbook exercise. Practising your own answer first trains you to organise a response under timed conditions.
- Pay attention to poems in First Flight. Poems are tested through extract-based questions and short-answer questions. Knowing the central idea, the poet’s message, and any literary devices used (metaphor, simile, rhyme scheme) significantly boosts Literature section marks.
- Maintain a vocabulary notebook. English is also tested through Reading Comprehension and Writing. Words and phrases you encounter in the NCERT lessons — such as apartheid, vestibule, or proclivity — can appear in unseen passage questions too.
- Cross-reference with official sample papers. Once CBSE releases the 2026–27 sample paper (expected September–October 2026 on cbseacademic.nic.in), compare the question types against the chapter summaries here and prioritise chapters that carry more weight.
- Revise themes across books. Higher-order competency (HOC) questions may ask you to draw connections — for example, comparing the theme of social injustice in Bholi with the same theme in The Hundred Dresses. Knowing themes across both books prepares you for these.
Other Important Links for CBSE Class 10
- Class 10 NCERT Solutions
- Class 10 Sample Papers
- Class 10 NCERT Books
- Class 10 Study Material
- Class 10 Question Papers
- Class 10 Exemplar Problems
- Class 10 Syllabus PDF (2026–27)
- Class 10 Revision Notes
Official Sources
- www.cbse.gov.in — CBSE Main Website (results, notifications, datesheets)
- cbseacademic.nic.in — CBSE Academic Website (curriculum, sample papers, circulars)
- ncert.nic.in — NCERT Official Website (free textbook downloads)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NCERT books are prescribed for CBSE Class 10 English in the 2026–27 academic session?
The two prescribed NCERT readers are First Flight (containing prose and poetry) and Footprints Without Feet (a supplementary reader containing short stories and plays). The 2026–27 curriculum confirmed on cbseacademic.nic.in continues to list these two books.
How many chapters are there in First Flight?
First Flight contains eleven prose chapters and eleven poems. The poems are as important as the prose for the board examination, as extract-based and short-answer questions are regularly set from the poetry sections.
How many chapters are there in Footprints Without Feet?
Footprints Without Feet contains ten chapters — nine short stories and one play (The Book That Saved the Earth).
Are NCERT solutions sufficient for scoring well in the CBSE Class 10 English board exam?
For the Literature section, thorough study of NCERT textbook content — supported by these solutions — is sufficient. For Reading Comprehension and Writing, students should additionally practise with unseen passages and writing tasks, ideally using CBSE sample papers and previous-year question papers as benchmarks.
When will CBSE release the official datesheet for the Class 10 board exam in 2027?
Based on previous-year patterns, the CBSE Class 10 board exam datesheet is typically released in December of the preceding year — so the 2027 datesheet is expected in December 2026. This has not yet been confirmed for 2027; check cbse.gov.in for the official announcement.
Can I download NCERT Class 10 English textbooks for free?
Yes. NCERT makes all its textbooks available for free download at ncert.nic.in. Always download from the official NCERT website to ensure you have the correct, unedited edition.
Which chapters from Footprints Without Feet are most important for the 2027 exam?
All ten chapters are part of the syllabus and any can be examined. Historically, chapters such as The Thief's Story, Bholi, The Necklace, and Footprints Without Feet (the title story) have appeared frequently in board papers. However, do not skip any chapter — verify question trends yourself using CBSE's official previous-year question papers on cbseacademic.nic.in.
Does CBSE provide a reduced or rationalised syllabus for Class 10 English in 2026–27?
As of the date of publication, the 2026–27 detailed curriculum is available on cbseacademic.nic.in. Students should check that page directly for any chapter-level deletions or changes before finalising their revision plan. We will update this page if CBSE issues a revised syllabus circular.
