The CBSE Class 10 English Language & Literature 2026 board paper (Q.P. code 2/1/1) is a 3-hour, 80-mark paper with 11 questions on 15 printed pages. Download the official question paper and CBSE’s marking scheme above.
Paper at a glance
| Subject | English Language & Literature |
| Q.P. code | 2/1/1 (Set 1) |
| Time allowed | 3 hours |
| Maximum marks | 80 |
| Number of questions | 11 |
| Printed pages | 15 |
| Marking scheme | Official CBSE marking scheme, hosted on this page |
CBSE Class 10 English Language & Literature across years
Compared with 2025: same maximum marks (80), same time allowed (3 hours), same questions (11). Each row links that year’s paper and marking scheme. There was no board exam in 2021, and 2022 was the shorter Term 2 paper.
| Year | Time | Max marks | Questions | Q.P. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 hours | 80 | 11 | 2/1/1 |
| 2025 | 3 hours | 80 | 11 | 2/1/1 |
| 2024 | — | — | 11 | 2/1/1 |
| 2023 | 3 hours | 80 | 11 | 2/1/1 |
| 2022 | 2 hours | 40 | 7 | 2/1/1 |
| 2020 | 3 hours | 80 | 11 | 2/1/1 |
| 2019 | 3 hours | 80 | 11 | 2/1/1 |
| 2018 | 3 hours | 80 | 11 | 2/1 |
| 2017 | 3 hours | 70 | 11 | 2/1 |
| 2016 | 3 hours | 70 | 11 | 2/1 |
Marking your attempt
- Writing tasks are marked on format, content and expression; see which of the three you lost marks on.
- For literature answers, compare your points with the value points in the scheme, not its exact wording.
- Reading comprehension keys are short. Check whether you lose marks to over-long answers.
- Sit the paper in 3 hours without breaks, then mark it with the scheme the same day.
Other CBSE Class 10 2026 subjects
- CBSE Class 10 Mathematics (Standard) 2026
- CBSE Class 10 Mathematics (Basic) 2026
- CBSE Class 10 Science 2026
- CBSE Class 10 Social Science 2026
- CBSE Class 10 Hindi Course A 2026
- CBSE Class 10 Hindi Course B 2026
- All CBSE Class 10 2026 papers
FAQ
How many questions are in the CBSE Class 10 English 2026 question paper?
The CBSE Class 10 English Language & Literature 2026 paper (code 2/1/1) has 11 questions for 80 marks in 3 hours.
Is there an official marking scheme for CBSE Class 10 English 2026?
Yes. CBSE published a marking scheme for this paper, and it is hosted on this page next to the question paper.
Which set of the CBSE Class 10 English 2026 paper is this?
Set 1, Q.P. code 2/1/1. Other sets use the same pattern with different questions.
Where can I find CBSE Class 10 English papers from other years?
The year-by-year table on this page links every CBSE Class 10 English Language & Literature paper hosted on this site, 2016 to 2026.