Class 3 is a crucial milestone in a student’s academic journey. Children move from the basics of reading and writing into longer passages, more structured grammar, fractions, time, money, and a genuine introduction to multiplication and division. Under NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage 2023, the CBSE Class 3 syllabus has been refreshed with new NCERT textbooks that replace the older Marigold, Math-Magic, and Rimjhim books. The result is an activity-led curriculum that builds both academic skills and the habit of thinking.
The updated syllabus emphasises experiential learning, story-driven chapters, and concept clarity. It covers Hindi, English, Mathematics, and a fresh subject called Our Wondrous World (replacing the older EVS framing). Let us dive into a detailed overview of the CBSE Class 3 syllabus for the 2026-27 academic year.
The CBSE Class 3 syllabus for 2026-27 is designed to build on what children learned in Classes 1 and 2 while introducing new concepts that stretch their thinking. Here are the main objectives of the Class 3 curriculum under NEP 2020.
Through longer stories, poems, and informational text, children deepen their listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities in both English and Hindi. The focus shifts from word recognition to comprehension, expression, and short paragraph writing.
Children move from numbers up to 99 to numbers up to 999, work with three-digit addition and subtraction, are introduced to multiplication through equal groups and division through fair sharing, and learn standard units for measurement and time.
The new NCERT textbooks move firmly away from drill-based learning. Each chapter is tied to a real-life scene or story, so children experience concepts before they memorise them.
Reflection sections like Let Us Think, Let Us Explore, and Let Us Discuss are built into every chapter. Children are asked to give opinions, draw conclusions, and reflect on what they have learned.
Chapters weave in Indian heritage, regional festivals, real-life heroes, and science themes (like India's Chandrayaan mission) alongside language and maths learning. This gives children a sense of rootedness and wonder at the same time.
The CBSE Class 3 syllabus for 2026-27 under NEP 2020 is divided into four major subjects: English, Hindi, Mathematics, and Our Wondrous World. Here is an overview of the three core language and maths subjects along with their prescribed NCERT textbooks, and detailed subject-wise guides
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The CBSE Class 3 English syllabus for 2026-27 uses the Santoor textbook, which replaces the older Marigold Part 3. Santoor has 12 chapters organised into 4 thematic units (Fun with Friends, Toys and Games, Good Food, The Sky), blending prose, poetry, and picture-based lessons. Children meet stories like Badal and Moti, Paper Boats, and The Big Laddoo, and even explore India’s moon mission through the Chandrayaan chapter. Santoor also introduces a self-assessment section, encouraging children to reflect on their own learning.
→ Read the detailed CBSE Class 3 English Syllabus 2026-27 guide
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The CBSE Class 3 Hindi syllabus uses the Veena textbook, replacing Rimjhim Part 3. Veena contains 18 chapters organised into 5 thematic units (Hamara Paryavaran, Hamare Mitr, Aao Khelen, Apna-Apna Kaam, Hamara Desh). The book includes a rich mix of poems, stories, letters, dialogues, and biographical pieces. It features beloved stories like Birbal Ki Khichdi and inspiring real-life figures like environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka, and even weaves in India’s Chandrayaan mission through a Hindi dialogue.
→ Read the detailed CBSE Class 3 Hindi Syllabus 2026-27 guide
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The CBSE Class 3 Maths syllabus uses the Maths Mela textbook, which replaces Math-Magic Part 3. With 14 chapters built around relatable scenes like a vacation with Nani Maa, a Raksha Bandhan celebration, a class party, and the Surajkund Fair, children move from two-digit to three-digit numbers up to 999, meet multiplication and division for the first time, and learn standard units for measurement (grams, kilograms, litres). Topics include:
These topics are taught through hands-on activities, helping students develop reasoning and real-life problem-solving abilities.
→ Read the detailed CBSE Class 3 Maths Syllabus 2026-27 guide
Apart from these three core subjects, Class 3 students also study Our Wondrous World, along with schools typically including Art and Craft and General Knowledge in the curriculum.
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While the core subjects focus on English, Hindi, and Mathematics, the Class 3 curriculum also includes other important subjects that support holistic development.
Under NEP 2020, the older Environmental Studies (EVS) has been replaced by Our Wondrous World, the new NCERT textbook for Class 3. It is organised into four units covering Our Families and Communities, Life Around Us, Gifts of Nature, and Things Around Us. Children explore families, festivals, plants, animals, water, food, health, and the world of things around them. The approach is inquiry-based and encourages children to observe their surroundings.
Aimed at expanding the child’s awareness of the world, General Knowledge includes topics related to history, geography, science, current affairs, and cultural awareness. It helps build curiosity and general reasoning.
A creative outlet for children, Art and Craft encourages self-expression and helps develop fine motor skills through drawing, colouring, paper craft, and clay work.
English: Santoor (NCERT) – replaces Marigold Part 3
Mathematics: Maths Mela (NCERT) – replaces Math-Magic Part 3
Hindi: Veena (NCERT) – replaces Rimjhim Part 3
Our Wondrous World: NCERT (new EVS textbook for NEP 2020)
Curriculum Framework: NEP 2020 and NCF for Foundational Stage 2023
Academic Year: 2026-27
The core subjects in the CBSE Class 3 syllabus for 2026-27 include:
In addition, schools typically include General Knowledge as part of the curriculum to help foster awareness of the world.
Under NEP 2020 and NCF 2023, NCERT has introduced new textbooks for Class 3 that replace the older ones. The prescribed textbooks for 2026-27 are:
These textbooks are designed to help students learn through engaging stories, thematic units, and activity-based exercises.
As per CBSE guidelines aligned with NEP 2020, a child must be at least 8 years old to be eligible for admission to Class 3. Age requirements may vary slightly based on regional rules or individual school policies, so it is always a good idea to check with the school directly.
Under NEP 2020, NCERT has introduced four new textbooks for Class 3: Santoor for English, Maths Mela for Maths, Veena for Hindi, and Our Wondrous World for EVS. These books follow an activity-led, story-driven structure and are designed for preparatory stage learners aged 8-9 years. Each book carries cross-cutting themes like inclusion, multilingualism, gender equality, and cultural rootedness.
Yes. Class 3 is the year multiplication is formally introduced in the CBSE syllabus. Children learn multiplication through equal groups, skip counting, and multiplication tables of 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10. Division is introduced alongside as equal sharing. The focus at this stage is on understanding the concept, not just memorising tables.
CBSE generally follows a continuous and activity-based evaluation approach at this stage, focusing on both formative and summative assessments. Class 3 students are assessed through mental maths, written sums, word problems, oral recitation, reading aloud, and activity-based tasks rather than high-stakes exams. The new NCERT textbooks also include reflection sections like Let Us Think and Let Us Explore that act as built-in checkpoints.
Yes. The CBSE Class 3 syllabus encourages participation in co-curricular activities like drawing, storytelling, music, and sports to ensure holistic development. Schools typically integrate these alongside the core academic subjects.
