The International Social Studies Olympiad (ISSO) is an annual school-level competitive exam organized by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) for grades 3rd through 10th. This exam assesses a student’s knowledge of history, geography, political science, and economics outside of their regular school education. We have suggested how to prepare for it and other Olympiads by providing a step-by-step guide for Olympiads.
SOF ISSO Syllabus (2025-26) – International Social Studies Olympiad
The syllabus for the ISSO (International Social Studies Olympiad) has already been published on the official SOF (Science Olympiad Foundation) website. This Olympiad will be held entirely in English. Moreover, approximately 1,00,000 students are expected to take the exam this year. Those interested in participating should review the ISSO syllabus 2025-26, provided below, and begin their preparation. Hence, the ISSO syllabus 2025-26 for classes 3rd to 10th.
| ISSO Class 3 Syllabus
Section – 1: Basic Needs, Festivals and Celebrations, People Who Help Us, Solar System and Our Earth, Our Environment, India – Our Motherland, India – Our Heritage, Our Ancestors – Early Life and Civilisation, Connecting People. Section – 2 : Higher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section – 1. |
| ISSO Class 4 Syllabus
Section – 1 : Our Country – Physical and Political Divisions, India – Resources and Climate, Our Rich Heritage, People Who Made a Difference, Our Constitution and Government, Our History, Earth and Environment, Transport and Communication Section – 2 : Higher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section – 1. |
| ISSO Class 5 Syllabus
Section – 1 : Our Earth, Our Environment, Weather and Climate, Our Country, Our Freedom Struggle, Great Achievers, The United Nations, Inventions and Discoveries, Agriculture and Industries, Transport and Communication, Evolution of Mankind Section – 2 : Higher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section – 1. |
| ISSO Class 6 Syllabus
Section – 1 : History – Studying the Past, The Early Humans, The First Cities and the Vedic Age, The Early Kingdoms and New Ideas, The First Empire – The Maurya, Life in Towns and Villages, New Empires and Kingdoms, Culture and Science. Section – 2 : Geography – Planet Earth, its Major Domains and Landforms, Globes and Maps, Our Country – India (Physical and Political Divisions, Climate, Vegetation and Wildlife) Section – 3 : Social and Political Life – Diversity and Discrimination, Government and Key Elements of a Democratic Government, Local Government and Administration, Livelihoods – Rural and Urban Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions-Syllabus as per Section – 1, 2 & 3. |
| ISSO Class 7 Syllabus
Section – 1 : History – Sources of Medieval Indian History, New Kings and Kingdoms, The Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire, Mobile and Settled Communities, Bhakti Movement, Sufism and Regional Cultures, New Political Formations in the Eighteenth Century Section – 2 : Geography – Earth and Our Environment, Air and Water, Human-Environment Interactions (Life in the Tropical and the Sub-tropical Regions, Deserts) Section – 3 : Social and Political Life – Democracy and Equality, State Government, Unpacking Gender, Understanding Media, Markets Around Us Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions-Syllabus as per Section – 1, 2 & 3. |
| ISSO Class 8 Syllabus
Section – 1 : History – Modern India-Sources and Significance, The Establishment of Company Power, Rural Life and Tribal Societies, The Revolt of 1857-58, Education and British Rule, Women, Caste and Reforms, Freedom Struggle in India Section – 2 : Geography – Resources (Natural, Man-made and Human Resources), Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources, Agriculture and Industries Section – 3 : Social and Political Life – The Indian Constitution and Secularism, Parliamentary Government and the Judiciary, Social Justice and the Marginalised, Economic Presence of the Government Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section – 1, 2 & 3. |
| ISSO Class 9 Syllabus
Section – 1 : History – The French Revolution, Socialism In Europe and the Russian Revolution, Nazism and the Rise of Hitler, Forest Society and Pastoralists in the Modern World Section – 2 : Geography – India – Physical Features and Climate, Drainage, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife, Population Section – 3 : Political Science – What Is Democracy? Why Democracy?, Constitutional Design and Democratic Rights, Elections and Working of Institutions Section – 4 : Economics – The Story of Village Palampur, People as Resource, Poverty and Food Security in India Section – 5 : Higher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section – 1, 2, 3 & 4. |
| ISSO Class 10 Syllabus
Section – 1 : History – Nationalism in Europe and India, Globalisation and Industrialisation, Print Culture and the Modern World Section – 2 : Geography – Resources and Development, Forest, Wildlife and Water Resources, Agriculture and Industries, Minerals and Energy Resources, Lifelines of National Economy Section – 3 : Political Science – Power Sharing and Federalism, Gender, Religion and Caste, Political Parties, Outcomes of Democracy Section – 4 : Economics – SDevelopment and Sectors of the Indian Economy, Money and Credit, Globalisation and Consumer Rights Section – 5 : Higher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section – 1, 2, 3 & 4. |
Also Check – ISSO Eligibility Criteria
ISSO Exam Date 2025-26
SOF International Social Studies Olympiads (ISSO) will be held on two dates this year. Moreover, the school can choose a single date at its convenience.
| ISSO Exam Date | |
| Date 1 | 18th September 2025 |
| Date 2 | 20th November 2025 |
| Date 3 | 23rd January 2026 |
Important NOTE
Questions of Olympiad exams will be 70% from the current class syllabus and 30% from the previous class syllabus, e.g., class-7 ISSO exam will have 70% questions from class-7 syllabus and 30% questions from class-6 syllabus.
Questions in ACHIEVERS SECTION will be from current class syllabus only.
Most students do not bother to look at the syllabus, but it is necessary to determine which topics to prioritize over others. Examine the ISSO syllabus and the exam pattern mentioned above thoroughly and make a note of the mark distribution for each section. Pick the best and most comprehensive study material which could coherently strengthen and enhance students’ understanding of the social studies facts required to ace SOF ISSO. MTG publishes ISSO workbooks, ISSO previous year’s papers, and the ISSO online test package to provide you with the best ISSO study material.
Check out – How to Prepare for SOF ISSO Olympiad Exam? Find ISSO Preparation Tips Here!
A comprehensive preparation guide is essential whether you compete in ISSO for the first time or are a regular at Olympiads. Therefore, the student must read the step-by-step guide for SOF Olympiad exam preparation. It should be noted that while taking the ISSO exam is easier, getting an international rank is extremely difficult.
Moreover, before you begin studying for the ISSO exams, make sure you have all of the necessary information, such as the syllabus, exam pattern, etc. This will aid you in organizing your study plan and mind and reduce the stress of preparation and exam day. All the best!
