CBSE Class 9 English Language & Literature 2026-27 Syllabus

There are 14 questions in the paper divided into three sections: (i) Reading (ii) Writing and Grammar (iii) Literature.

CBSE Class 9 English Language & Literature 2026-27 Syllabus

Exam Structure

Section Topic Marks
A Reading Skills 20
B Writing Skills and Grammar 30
C Language through Literature 30
  Total 80

The annual examination is of 80 marks, with a duration of three hours.

Section A: Reading Skills

This section will have two Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passage:

1. Descriptive or Discursive Passage of 400-450 words. (10 marks)

2. Case-based passage (with verbal or visual inputs - statistical data/chart) of 200-250 words. (10 marks)

(Total length of two passages to be 600-700 words)

Question types to be included: Selected and constructed responses (MCQ’s, Objective type, VSAQs, SAQs)

Section B: Writing Skills and Grammar

Grammar (10 Marks)

  • Sequence of Tenses in different contexts of communication
  • Modal Auxiliaries and their functions in expressing ability, obligation, permission, possibility and advice
  • Reported Speech in extended texts including
    • statements
    • questions
    • commands and requests
  • Conditional Clause - Type 1
  • Subject-Verb Concord
  • Determiners
  • Clauses - Noun Clause, Relative Clause

3. Editing/Omitting (Selected responses MCQs): 4 Marks

4. Sentence Rearrangement: 3 Marks

5. Sentence Transformation: 3 Marks

Writing Skills (20 marks)

6. Writing a Notice, Informal Invitation (Word Limit - Up to 50 words): 3 Marks

7. Writing a Letter to Editor, Formal E-mail on a given issue for presenting views and suggestions (Word Limit - 120-150 words): 5 Marks

8. Writing a Factual Description, Magazine Article (Word Limit - 120-150 words): 5 Marks

9. Writing Descriptive, Narrative Essay (Word Limit - 200-250 words): 7 Marks

Section C: Language through Literature

Extract Based Questions: 5 x 2 = 10 Marks

10. One extract out of two, from Drama / Prose.

11. One extract out of two, from poetry.

V. Constructed Responses (Short & Long Answer Questions)

12. Five out of six Questions to be answered in 40-50 words. 5 x 2 = 10 Marks

13. One out of two Questions assessing extrapolation beyond the text and across the texts to be answered in about 120-150 words. 5 Marks

14. One out of two Questions assessing theme / plot/ character to be answered in about 120-150 words. 5 Marks