SAMPLE PAPER 2025-26

Max. Marks: 80 Time Allowed: 3 hours

General Instructions:
i. This question paper consists of 39 questions in 3 sections. Section A is Biology, Section B
is Chemistry and Section C is Physics.
ii. All questions are compulsory. However, an internal choice is provided in some questions.
A student is expected to attempt only one of these questions.

[Section-A]
Question 1 to 7 are multiple choice questions. Only one of the choices is correct. Select and
write the correct choice as well as the answer to these questions.
1. Select the group in which all organisms have the same mode of nutrition. 1
(A) Cuscuta, yeast, legumes, leeches and tapeworm
(B) Cactus, ticks, lice, leeches and cow
(C) Cuscuta, ticks, lice, leeches and tapeworm
(D) Cactus, grass, lice, lion and tapeworm
2. Which of the following options indicates the products formed after breakdown of the
glucose in our muscle cells when there is lack of oxygen? 1
(A) Ethanol + carbon dioxide + Energy
(B) Lactic acid + Energy
(C) Lactic acid + carbon monoxide + Energy
(D) Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

3. Which of the following is a correct combination of function and part of the brain? 1
(A) Posture and balance: Cerebrum
(B) Salivation: Medulla in midbrain
(C) Hunger: Pons in hindbrain
(D) Blood pressure: Medulla in hindbrain

[1]
SCIENCE
4. The blood glucose level in a patient was very high. It may be due to inadequate secretion
of: 1
(A) growth hormone from pituitary gland
(B) estrogen from ovary
(C) insulin from pituitary gland
(D) insulin from pancreas
5. In a cross between black furred rabbit (B) and white furred rabbit (b), all offspring were
found to have black fur. What can be inferred about the genetic makeup of the parent
rabbits? 1
(A) BB X bb (B) Bb X Bb (C) Bb X bb (D) bb X bb
6. Which are the correct statements related to ozone?
(i) Ozone layer helps in increasing the UV radiations reaching earth.
(ii) Ozone is a deadly poison.
(iii) Ozone layer shields the earth from UV radiations.
(iv) Ozone layer prevents UV rays which cause skin cancer.
(v) Ozone is formed with the help of Chlorofluorocarbons. 1
(A) (i), (ii), (iii) (B) (ii), (iii), (iv) (C) (iii), (iv), (v) (D) (i), (iv), (v)
7. Which of the following human activities has resulted in an increase of non- biodegradable
substances? 1
(A) Organic farming
(B) Increase in tree plantation
(C) Use of plastic as packaging material
(D) Composting of kitchen waste
Question No. 8 to 9 consist of two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer these
questions by selecting the appropriate option given below:
(A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both A and R are true, and R is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) A is true but R is false.
(D) A is false but R is true.
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

8. Assertion (A): Tallness of a pea plant is controlled by an enzyme. 1

Reason (R): The gene for that enzyme makes proteins which help the plant to be tall.
9. Assertion (A): Vulture will always have the least amount of pesticides in a food chain. 1
Reason (R): Vulture occupies the last trophic level and it gets only 10% of energy of the
previous trophic level.
10. Unlike animals, plants do not have any excretory products as they do not eat food Comment
upon the statement with justification. 2

[2]
 SAMPLE PAPER – 2025-26
11. Students to attempt either option A or (B)
(A) How many chambers are there in the heart of the following organisms? How is mixing
of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood prevented in their body? 2
(i) Fishes
(ii) Humans
OR
(B) Explain the mechanism by which the water is transported in plants?
12. About 100 acres of forest land was declared as Natural reserve park. The following
organisms were predominant in the Natural reserve park: 2
rabbit, frog, grass, fish, fox, water insects, zebra, peacock, snake, trees, bird, owl, insects,
tiger, vulture, duck.
Create a food web comprising two separate food chains with different producers by using
the above dat(A)
13. Draw and explain how the nerve cells help in transmission of impulses? 3
14. In a genetic experiment, plants with pure round green seeds (RRyy) were crossed with
plants with wrinkled yellow seeds (rrYY). 3
(i) Show the gametes formed when F1 was self-pollinated
(ii) A total of 144 seeds were produced which developed into saplings. Show the ratio in
which these traits are independently inherited in these144 sapling.
15. Neha consumed boiled sweet potatoes and boiled eggs for breakfast. Help her to
understand some steps in the process of digestion of the food taken by her by answering
the questions given below. 4
Attempt either subpart A or (B)
(A) Which of these food items is rich in proteins? In which part of the alimentary canal is
the digestion of this component initiated? Name the enzymes, conditions required and
the glands associated with the digestion here.
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

OR
(B) Which of these food items contains fats? How is it digested?
(C) Which of these food items is rich in starch? How is its digestion initiated?
(D) The figure given below represents parts of the human alimentary canal. Which of these
parts will have the maximum amount of digested food as soon as the process of
digestion is completed?

[3]
SCIENCE

O
P

Human Alimentary canal

For visually impaired students

(D) How will the digested food be taken up by the alimentary canal?
16. Attempt either option A or (B) 5
(A) Puneet wanted to grow banana plants.
(i) Based on your knowledge on plant reproduction should he opt for seeds or any
alternate method of reproduction. Justify your answer.
(ii) Offsprings of a banana plant usually show very little variation. What causes
variation and are variations good or bad? Justify.
OR
(B) Annie was conducting research on the number of fruits produced by watermelon under
different conditions. She grew 25 watermelon plants each in both glass house A and (B)
She introduced pollinators in glass house A only.
(i) What difference will she observe in the number of fruits produced in the two glass
houses? Explain with reason.
(ii) List 3 changes that will occur in a flower once it gets fertilize(D)
[Section-B]
17. Which of the following equations represent redox reactions and what are the values for ‘p’
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

and ‘q’ in these equations? 1

Equation 1: Fe2O3(s) + 2Al(s)  Al2O3(s) + pFe(l) + heat

Equation 2: 2C4H10(g) + 13O2(g)   8CO2(g)+ qH2O(g)
(A) Only equation 1 is a redox reaction, p = 1 and q = 3
(B) Both equations 1 and 2 are redox reactions, p = 2 and q = 4
(C) Only equation 2 is a redox reaction, p= 2 and q = 10
(D) Both equations 1 and 2 are redox reactions, p= 2 and q = 10.

[4]
 SAMPLE PAPER – 2025-26
18. Four statements about the reactions of oxides with dilute hydrochloric acid and aqueous
sodium hydroxide are listed. 1
I. Aluminium oxide reacts with both dilute hydrochloric acid and aqueous sodium
hydroxide.
II. Calcium oxide reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid and aqueous sodium hydroxide.
III. Zinc oxide reacts with both dilute hydrochloric acid and aqueous sodium hydroxide.
IV. Sulphur dioxide does not react with either dilute hydrochloric acid or aqueous sodium
hydroxide.
Which statements are correct?
(A) I and II (B) I and III (C) II and IV (D) III and IV
19. An iron nail is added to each of the two test tubes ‘P’ and ‘Q’ containing aqueous copper (II)
sulphate, and aqueous silver nitrate respectively. Which of the following observation is
correct? 1
(A) In test tube ‘P’ iron nail is coated with a blue coating and in test tube ‘Q’ there is no
reaction.
(B) Iron nail is coated with a brown coating in test tube ‘P’ and silver coating in test tube
‘Q’.
(C) There is no reaction in either of the test tubes ‘P’ or ‘Q’.
(D) There is no reaction in test tube ‘P’ but a silver coating on iron nail is seen in test tube
‘Q’.
20. Methyl orange is added to dilute hydrochloric acid and to aqueous sodium hydroxide. What
is the colour of the methyl orange in each solution? 1
Sample colour in dilute colour in aqueous
hydrochloric acid sodium hydroxide
A Orange Red
B Red Yellow
C Red Orange
D Yellow Red

21. Which of the following substances when dissolved in equal volume of water, will have the
highest pH value? 1
(A) Sulphuric acid (B) Acetic acid
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

(C) Magnesium hydroxide (D) Sodium hydroxide

22. When excess of carbon dioxide is passed through lime water, the milkiness disappears
because 1
(A) water soluble calcium carbonate converts to water soluble calcium bicarbonate.
(B) insoluble calcium carbonate converts to water soluble calcium bicarbonate.
(C) water soluble calcium carbonate converts to insoluble calcium bicarbonate.
(D) insoluble calcium carbonate converts to insoluble calcium bicarbonate.

[5]
SCIENCE
23. In the reaction of aqueous solution of barium chloride with aqueous solution of sodium
sulphate, the aqueous solution formed will be: 1
(A) BaCl2 (B) BaSO4 (C) Na2SO4 (D) NaCl
The following question consists of two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer
these questions by selecting the appropriate option given below:
(A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both A and R are true, and R is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) A is true but R is false.
(D) A is false but R is true.
24. Assertion (A): C4H8, C4H6 and C4H10 are members of the same homologous series
Reason (R): C4H8, C4H6, C3H4, C3H6, C2H4, C2H2 are unsaturated hydrocarbons. 1
25. The following activity is set-up in the science lab by the teacher. 2
He clamped an aluminium wire on a stand and fixed a pin to the free end of the wire using
wax. Then he heated the wire with a burner from the end where the wire is clamped
Students observed the pin fall off.

Metal wire Stand

Free end of wire

Wax Clamp

Pin

Burner

(A) If the teacher replaces aluminium wire by silver wire, will the students’ observation
change? Justify your answer.
(B) Will the aluminium wire melt? Give reason for your answer.
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

26. Attempt either option A or (B) 3

(A) An element ‘X’ is stored in kerosene, and cannot be extracted from its ore using a
reducing agent. ‘X’ forms an ionic compound on reaction with chlorine.
(i) Can we store ‘X’ in water? Give reason to support your answer.
(ii) Identify element ‘X’. Name the process used and write the equation for extraction of
‘X’ from its ore.

[6]
 SAMPLE PAPER – 2025-26
OR
(B) The domes of many building in Europe are made of copper. These domes now appear
greenish in colour.
(i) Why do the domes appear greenish though copper is orange-red in colour?
(ii) In your opinion, should the copper domes be replaced by iron domes to overcome
the problem of change of colour of copper domes?
(iii) Domes used to be made from thin sheets of metals. Why did the ancient architects
use copper to make domes?
27. Amrita electrolysed distilled water using the set-up shown in figure 1. She was expecting
two gases to be evolved at the anode and cathode respectively 3

Oxygen

Test tube

Hydrogen

Water

Graphite
rod

Anode Cathode
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

Electrolysis of water

Figure 1
Suddenly, she realised that the bulb in the circuit did not glow when she used distilled
water (Figure 2)

[7]
SCIENCE
Battery Bulb

Conducting
wire

Distilled
water

After this realization, she added a substance to the distilled water for electrolysis to take
place.
Answer the following questions based on the information given above:
(A) Which gas was she expecting to be formed at the anode and which one at the cathode
respectively?
(B) Why did the bulb not glow when Amrita passed electricity through distilled water?
(C) Which substance was added by Amrita to distilled water to get the expected result?
-------------------
For visually impaired students
Identify the type of reaction:
(A) ZnO + C Zn + CO
(B) ZnCO3 
heat
 ZnO + CO2
(C) 2Mg + O2 2MgO + heat
28. Sara took 2 mL of dilute NaOH solution in a test tube and added two drops of
phenolphthalein solution to it. The solution turned pink in colour. She added dilute H2SO4
to the above solution drop by drop until the solution in the test tube became colourless. 40
drops of dilute H2SO4 were used for the change in colour from pink to colourless. When
Sara added a drop of NaOH to the solution, the colour changed to back to pink again.
Sara now tried the activity with different volumes of NaOH and recorded her observation
in the table given below: 4
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

S. Volume of dil. Drops of dil. NaOH taken

No. (mL) H2SO4 used
1 2 20
2 3 30
3 4 40
Answer the following questions based on the above information:

[8]
 SAMPLE PAPER – 2025-26
(A) If Sara used concentrated H2SO4 in place of dilute H2SO4, how many drops will be
required for the change in colour to be observed?
(a) 40
(b) < 40
(c) >40
Justify your answer.
(B) Sara measured 20 drops of dil. H2SO4 and found its volume to be 1 mL. If Sara observed
a change in colour of NaoH solution by using 3 mL of H2SO4, how many mL of NaOH did
she add to the test tube initially?
OR
Sara takes 10 drops of dilute H2SO4 in the test tube and adds two drops of
phenolphthalein solution to it. Then she adds NaOH dropwise. Sara observes a change
in colour after adding 20 drops of NaOH. What change in colour would she observe and
why?
(C) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction taking place in the above
experiment. Which of the following is true and why? The reaction is a
(a) neutralisation and double displacement reaction
(b) neutralisation and precipitation reaction
(c) precipitation and double displacement reaction
(d) neutralisation, double displacement as well as precipitation reaction.
29. Attempt either option A or (B) 5
(A) A hydrocarbon with the formula CxHy undergoes complete combustion as shown in the
following equation:
2CxHy + 9O2  6CO2 + 6H2O.
(a) What are the values of ‘x’ and ‘y’?
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

(b) Give the chemical (IUPAC) name of the hydrocarbon.

(c) Draw its electron dot structure.
(d) Name the alcohol which on heating with conc. H2SO4 will produce the above
hydrocarbon CxHy.
(e) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction of CxHy with hydrogen gas in
presence of Nickel.

[9]
SCIENCE
OR
(B) The electronic structures of atoms P and Q are shown below:

P Q

Based on the information given above, answer the following questions:

(a) If P and Q combine to form a compound, what type of bond is formed between them?
(b) Give the chemical formula of the compound formed.
(c) The compound so formed is dissolved in water. Is the resultant solution acidic or basic
in nature? Justify your answer.
(d) Write the chemical equation for the reaction between ‘Q’ and ethanol.
(e) What will be the formula of the compound formed when ‘P’ undergoes bonding with
carbon?
-------------------
For visually impaired students
(A) A hydrocarbon with the formula CxHy undergoes complete combustion as shown in the
following equation:
2CxHy + 9O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O.
(a) What are the values of ‘x’ and ‘y’?
(b) Give the chemical (IUPAC) name of the hydrocarbon.
(c) Is CxHy a saturated or an unsaturated hydrocarbon?
(d) Name the alcohol which on heating with conc. H2SO4 will produce the above
hydrocarbon CxHy.
(e) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction of CxHy with hydrogen gas in
presence of Nickel.
OR
(B) Oxygen can combine with both metals and non-metals. It combines with Calcium to
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

form CaO and with carbon to form CO2.

(a) What type of bond is formed between carbon and oxygen?
(b) Identify the type of bond formed between calcium and oxygen.
(c) Which of the above compounds will be a good conductor of electricity in molten
state and why?
(d) Comment on the physical state (solid, liquid or gas) of CaO and CO2.
(e) What is the valency of carbon in CO2 ? 3

[10]
 SAMPLE PAPER – 2025-26
[Section-C]
30. Arnav was making notes and he wrote down the following statements from his
understanding of reflection from curved surfaces. 1
I. Concave mirrors can produce both real and virtual images depending on the position
of the object.
II. Convex mirrors always produce real, inverted images regardless of the object’s
position.
III. In both concave and convex mirrors, the image location can be determined using the
1 1 1
mirror formula   where f is the focal length, v is the image distance, and u is
f v u
the object distance.
Choose from the following the correct option that lists the correct statements about
reflection from curved surfaces.
(A) I and II (B) I, II and III (C) II and III (D) I and III
31. Choose the correct option from the below which explains the reason for us to perceive the
day sky as blue. 1
(A) As sunlight passes through the atmosphere, shorter wavelengths, such as blue are
scattered more than other colors.
(B) The sky appears blue because all colors are scattered equally, but blue light is stronger
and more visible to the human eye.
(C) The blue colour of the sky is due to longer wavelengths like red and orange scattering
more than shorter wavelengths, making blue stand out more.
(D) The atmosphere contains blue-coloured particles that give the sky its blue appearance.
The following question consists of two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer
these questions by selecting the appropriate option given below:
(A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both A and R are true, and R is not the correct explanation of (A)
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

(C) A is true but R is false.

(D) A is false but R is true.
32. Assertion (A): A point object is placed at a distance of 26 cm from a convex mirror of focal
length 26 cm. The image will not form at infinity. 1
1 1 1
Reason (R): For above given system the equation   gives v = .
T v u

[11]
SCIENCE

33.

10 cm

20 cm

2
The above image shows the formation of an image with an optical instrument.
(A) Identify the optical instrument (shown schematically as a rectangle) in the image.
(B) What type of image is formed in this case?
(C) Based on the measurements given in the image, calculate the focal length of the
instrument.
--------------
For visually impaired students
(A) Under what conditions can a convex lens form a virtual image?
(B) Why does a piece of paper catch fire if we allow sunlight to pass through a convex lens
onto the paper?
34. Attempt either option A or (B) 2
4
A B
A1 C

8V
(A)

8 8
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

E A2 D

Find out the following in the electric circuit given in the figure-
(i) Effective resistance of two 8 ohm resistors in the combination.
(ii) Current flowing through the 4-ohm resistor

[12]
 SAMPLE PAPER – 2025-26
OR
24

24 A1

(B) 6 V 12

A2

Study the circuit and find out-

(i) Current in 12 ohm resistor
(ii) Difference in the readings of ammeter A1 and A2 if any
--------------
For visually impaired students
(A) You are given four resistors each having resistance of R ohm. Find the maximum and
minimum resistance that can be made with these four resistors.
OR
(B) A copper wire has a length L = 2 m, a cross-sectional area A = 0.5 mm2, and resistivity
ρ=1.7×10−8 Ω-m. Calculate the resistance of another wire made of the same material
whose length is twice the length of the wire but has the same cross-sectional are(A)

S
35. S

The above image shows a corrective measure for a particular defect of vision. 3
(i) Identify the defect of vision and state what kind of lens is used to correct this deficiency.
(ii) Draw and label a ray diagram that shows the defect of vision in the above case before
correction.
--------------
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

For visually impaired students

(i) What is dispersion of light?
(ii) Explain the condition under which dispersion happens?
(iii) Give one reason that causes presbyopia
36. A student needs to make a 0.12 Ω resistor. She has some copper wire of 0.80 mm diameter.
Resistivity of copper is 1.8 × 10–8 Ωm 3
(i) Determine the cross-sectional area of the wire.
(ii) Calculate the length of wire required for the 0.12 Ω resistor.

[13]
SCIENCE
37. Magnetic field lines are shown in the given diagram. A student makes a statement that the
magnetic field at X is stronger than at Y. 3
(i) Explain with reason if the student’s claim is correct.
(ii) Also redraw the diagram and mark the direction of magnetic field lines.
Y

X N S

Object Camera
38.
Lens Image

The above image is that of a Digital Single Lense Reflector (DSLR) Camera which are used
to take high resolution photographs by professional photographers. The second image of
the above two is a schematic diagram of how an image is formed on the sensor of the
camera Based on your understanding of the lenses, answer the following questions. 4
(A) What type of lens is used in the DSLR camera shown in the image?
(B) What type of image is formed on the sensor?
Attempt either subpart C or (D)
(C) A photographer is using a DSLR camera with a lens of focal length f = 50 mm to take a
close-up photograph of a small object. The lens projects an image onto the camera
sensor that is located 60 mm behind the lens. Calculate the object distance (i.e., the
distance between the object and the lens).
OR
(D) A photographer is using a DSLR camera to take a picture of a flower. The flower is
positioned 150 mm away from the camera lens. The actual height of the flower is 80
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

mm, and the image height formed on the camera’s sensor is measured to be 20 mm.
Calculate the focal length of the camera lens.
For visually impaired students
Zarina worked as an apprentice in a factory where flashlights and solar cookers are made.
She learnt to make the circuits, the design of the light-box and light concentrators of the
solar cookers as well. She learnt the uses of lenses in making all those tools. Based on your
understanding of lenses, answer the following questions.

[14]
 SAMPLE PAPER – 2025-26
(A) What kind of lenses are used in the flashlight and light concentrator of the solar-
cooker?
(B) Give reasons for your choices in your answer for part (A)
Attempt either subpart C or (D)
(C) An object is placed 40 cm away from a lens which is normally used in a solar-cooker.
The image formed is twice the size of the object. Calculate the focal length of the lens.
OR
(D) An object is placed 20 cm in front of a lens which is used in a flashlight, and the image
is formed 10 cm away from the lens on the same side as the object. Calculate the focal
length of the lens.
39. Attempt either option A or (B) 5
V1

(A)
25

100
25

V2

The arrangement of resistors shown in the above figure is connected to a battery.;

The power dissipation in the 100 Ω resistor is 81 W. Calculate
(i) the current in the circuit
(ii) the reading in the voltmeter V2
(iii) the reading in the voltmeter V1
OR
SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

240 S1

(B) A B

S2

C S3

[15]
SCIENCE
An electric heater consists of three similar heating elements A, B and C, connected as shown
in the figure above. Each heating element is rated as 1.2 kW, 240 V and has constant
resistance. S1, S2 and S3 are respective switches.
The circuit is connected to a 240 V supply.
(i) Calculate the resistance of one heating element.
(ii) Calculate the current in each resistor when only S1 and S3 are closed
(iii) Calculate the power dissipated across A when S1, S2 and S3 are closed
--------------
For visually impaired students
(A) (i) Explain why in household circuits only the fuse is connected in series with all the
rest of the appliances but all appliances are connected in parallel to each other.
(ii) In a household circuit, an electric heater of power 1500 Wand a fan of power 500
W are connected in parallel to a 220 V supply. A fuse rated for 10 A is connected to
the circuit to protect it from excessive current.
(a) Calculate the total current drawn by the heater and the fan.
(b) Determine whether the 10 A fuse is appropriate for this circuit or if it will blow.
OR
(B) Two resistors, R1 = 6Ω and R2 = 12Ω, are connected in parallel to a 24V battery. The
circuit operates for 5 minutes.
(i) Calculate the total heat generated in both resistors.
(ii) If each resistor has a power rating of 100 W, determine whether it is safe to use
these resistors in the circuit.

SMD_Data$\PNCF\2025-26\Sample Paper\Science

[16]