CBSE Syllabus for Class 8 Science 2025 – 2026

Class VIII is a crucial part in a student's academic life, particularly in science, when basic ideas of biology, chemistry, and physics start to shape up in practical applications. To aid this learning, the CBSE syllabus for Class 8 Science 2025–26 is designed to foster curiosity, experiential learning, and conceptual clarity. In this article, you’ll find a complete overview of this curriculum, unit-wise chapter groupings, direct access to the CBSE syllabus for Class 8 Science PDF and many more resources to excel in your term-end exams.

1.0Overview of CBSE Syllabus for Class 8 Science

The updated CBSE Syllabus for Class 8 Science is divided into three major units or branches of science, studied and evaluated across the academic year in two terms. These units are: 

Biology

• Chemistry
• Physics

Each of these units is structured to develop the foundational knowledge of these three major branches of science in students. Students are evaluated on the basis of a term-end examination (Max 80 Marks) at the end of each term, along with a number of periodic class tests and other assessments.

We advise you to keep visiting the official website of the Central Board of Secondary Education to stay updated on any alterations in the syllabus.

2.0Chapter-wise Class 8 Science Syllabus

3.0Detailed CBSE Class 8 Science Syllabus 2025-26

1. Crop Production and Management

Agricultural Practices, Basic Practices of Crop Production, Preparation of Soil, Agricultural Implements, Sowing, Adding Manures and Fertilizers, Irrigation, Protection from Weeds, Harvesting, Storage, Food from Animals

2. Microorganisms: Friend and Foe 

Microorganisms, Where Do Microorganisms Live, Microorganisms and Us, Harmful Microorganisms, Food Preservation, Nitrogen Fixation, Nitrogen Cycle

3. Coal and Petroleum

Coal, Petroleum, Natural Gas, Some Natural Resources are Limited

4. Combustion and Flame

What is Combustion?, How Do We Control Fire?, Types of Combustion, Flame, Structure of Flame, What is a Fuel, Fuel Efficiency

5. Conservation of Plants and Animals

Deforestation and Its Causes, Consequences of Deforestation, Conservation of Forest and Wildlife, Biosphere Reserve, Flora and Fauna, Endemic Species, Wildlife Sanctuary, National Park, Red Data Book, Migration, Recycling of Paper, Reforestation

6. Reproduction in Animals

Modes of Reproduction, Sexual Reproduction, Asexual Reproduction

7. Reaching the Age of Adolescence

Adolescence and Puberty, Changes at Puberty, Secondary Sexual Characters, Role of Hormones in Initiating Reproductive Function, Reproductive Phase of Life in Humans, How is the Sex of the Baby Determined?, Hormones Other than Sex Hormones, Role of Hormones in Completing the Life History of Insects and Frogs, Reproductive Health

8. Force and Pressure

Force – A Push or a Pull, Forces are due to an Interaction, Exploring Forces, A Force Can Change the State of Motion, Force can Change the Shape of an Object, Contact Forces, Non-contact Forces, Pressure, Pressure Exerted by Liquids and Gases, Atmospheric Pressure

9. Friction

Force of Friction, Factors Affecting Friction, Friction: A Necessary Evil, Increasing and Reducing Friction, Wheels Reduce Friction, Fluid Friction

10.Sound

Sound is Produced by a Vibrating Body, Sound Produced by Humans, Sound Needs a Medium for Propagation, How We Hear Sound Through Our Ears, Amplitude, Time Period and Frequency of a Vibration, Audible and Inaudible Sounds, Noise and Music, Noise Pollution

11. Chemical Effects of Electric Current

Do Liquids Conduct Electricity?, Chemical Effects of Electric Current, Electroplating

12. Some Natural Phenomena

Lightning, Charging by Rubbing, Types of Charges and Their Interaction, Transfer of Charge, The Story of Lightning, Lightning Safety, Earthquakes

13. Light

What Makes Things Visible, Laws of Reflection, Regular and Diffused Reflection, Reflected Light Can be Reflected Again, Multiple Images, Sunlight - White or Coloured?, What is Inside Our Eyes, Care of the Eyes, Visually Impaired Person Can Read and Write, What is the Braille System?

4.0Internal Assessment

The assessment pattern for Class 8 Science includes a combination of theory exams and internal assessments. Unlike theory exams, which test students’ knowledge via a written examination at the end of each term, the internal assessment evaluates the skills of students in science, across the academic year, by four major assessment types. Which include: 

5.0Beyond Textbooks: Study Aids to Score Well in Science

While the NCERT remains the best study guide for scoring well in your science term-end exam, certain topics require a deeper explanation, a gap that is difficult to fill with these books. To cope with this issue, there are several study tools that not only help secure good marks but also aid in grasping the topics of this subject. Here is a list of a few study aids for class VIII:   

1. NCERT Solutions: These provide clear, step-by-step explanations of textbook questions, helping students develop strong conceptual clarity and effective answer framing skills.
2. CBSE Support Material: Published by the Board itself, these books include sample papers, chapter summaries, and important questions that align with the official syllabus for Class 8 Science and exam patterns.
3. Previous Year Papers: Solving past question papers helps students understand the exam format, time management, and identify commonly asked questions for better preparation.
4. Revision Notes: Summarised chapter notes help students quickly revise key concepts, formulas, and definitions before tests and during final exam preparation.
5. Reference Books: Books like Lakhmir Singh Science offer additional questions, explanations, and illustrations that reinforce concepts through extended practice and examples.
6. Mind Maps and Diagrams: Visual tools like charts and diagrams assist in understanding and memorising complicated topics, especially for learners who think visually.
7. Mock Tests and Worksheets: Practice papers and worksheets simulate real exam settings, helping students evaluate their speed, accuracy, and grasp of Science topics.
8. Peer Study Groups: Group learning encourages discussions, doubt solving, and shared notes, which enhance overall understanding and retention of difficult Science concepts.

6.0Advantages of Knowing the Science Syllabus Early On

Familiarity with the Class 8 CBSE Science syllabus in advance offers several learning advantages:

• Strategic Planning: Helps students divide the syllabus into smaller goals, making study schedules more organised, efficient, and stress-free.
• Focused Learning: Directs attention to key topics for Term 1 and Term 2, avoiding unnecessary distractions or off-syllabus content.
• Effective Practice: Enables students to focus their revision on key concepts, experiments, and expected question types outlined in the syllabus.
• Self-Monitoring: Enables learners to regularly track their progress, identify areas for improvement, and adjust their study plan accordingly for better results.

7.0Best Tips to Prepare for Your Exam

• Use the extra study guides, but stick to the NCERT textbooks for the basic understanding of the topics, as well. 
• Use visual representations of scientific concepts such as diagrams and flowcharts.
• Class VIII is more of a theory-based learning, so practice definitions, formulas, and processes through writing.
• Use tables and mind maps for quick revision before exams.
• Do not skip science experiments — they are often tested in theory as well.
• Revise topics weekly using a checklist from the CBSE syllabus for Class 8 Science PDF.
• Focus more on real-life applications to better understand science, especially in topics such as pollution, friction, and light.