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A Letter to the Editor is a formal letter written to the editor of a newspaper or magazine to express opinions, highlight issues, or suggest solutions concerning public interest. It is part of the CBSE English curriculum for Class 10 and 12, where students are tested on their ability to communicate effectively and formally.
This type of letter helps students enhance their writing skills, organize their thoughts logically, and engage with real-world issues—ranging from environmental concerns to social awareness topics. CBSE often includes such questions in the writing section (Section B) of the English Language and Literature paper, making it a crucial part of board exam preparation.
Understanding the correct format is essential to scoring well in the CBSE board exams. CBSE follows a formal structure for all types of official letters, including letters to the editor. Here’s the format you should follow:
Tip for Students:
Always stick to the word limit prescribed by CBSE:
📌 Refer to the official CBSE Curriculum for the latest guidelines.
Below are 10 realistic and exam-oriented examples of letters to the editor, tailored to the CBSE Class 10 and 12 curriculum. These examples follow the proper format and cover various topics commonly asked in exams or relevant to students and society.
Subject: Request to Ban Firecrackers During Festivals
Sir/Madam,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I want to highlight the increasing air and noise pollution caused by the bursting of firecrackers during festivals like Diwali.
The toxic smoke not only harms the environment but also affects children, senior citizens, and asthma patients. I urge the concerned authorities to implement stricter regulations and promote eco-friendly celebrations.
Yours sincerely,
Ananya Verma
Subject: Urgent Need for Speed Breakers Near School Areas
Sir/Madam,
I wish to bring to your notice the alarming rise in road accidents near our school in Ashok Nagar. The absence of speed breakers or traffic lights puts students' lives at risk.
We request the traffic department to install proper signage and barriers to prevent mishaps.
Yours sincerely,
Rahul Sharma
Subject: Concern Over Wastage of Water in Public Areas
Sir/Madam,
This is to bring to light the irresponsible use of water in our locality, especially from leaking municipal taps. In a time when many areas face water scarcity, such wastage is unacceptable.
I request the concerned civic bodies to repair the leakage and raise public awareness.
Yours sincerely,
Mehak Jain
Subject: Negative Impact of Excessive Social Media on Teenagers
Sir/Madam,
Social media addiction is becoming a serious concern among teenagers. Screen time is affecting their sleep, studies, and mental health.
Schools and parents must work together to promote digital discipline and mental wellness.
Yours sincerely,
Kunal Ahuja
Subject: Complaint Regarding Damaged Roads in Lajpat Nagar
Sir/Madam,
I want to draw attention to the poor state of roads in Lajpat Nagar following the recent rains. Potholes are causing traffic jams and vehicle damage.
Kindly urge the municipal corporation to take immediate action.
Yours sincerely,
Pooja Mehra
Subject: Need for Public Libraries in Residential Areas
Sir/Madam,
This is to express concern over the lack of public libraries in our city. Students from low-income backgrounds have no access to study resources or quiet places to learn.
I request the authorities to establish well-equipped libraries in each zone.
Yours sincerely,
Vikram Raj
Subject: Increasing Plastic Waste in Public Parks
Sir/Madam,
I wish to highlight the issue of plastic pollution in city parks, especially wrappers and bottles left by visitors.
There should be dustbins at every corner and a strict fine on littering to keep public places clean.
Yours sincerely,
Neha Sinha
Subject: Noise Pollution Due to Loudspeakers During Exam Season
Sir/Madam,
Students are facing difficulty in concentrating on their studies due to frequent use of loudspeakers during weddings and religious events.
I appeal to the administration to restrict loudspeaker use during the exam period.
Yours sincerely,
Aditya Desai
Subject: Request to Include Financial Literacy in School Curriculum
Sir/Madam,
Many students complete school without basic knowledge of money management, budgeting, or banking.
Introducing financial literacy as part of the curriculum would be beneficial for future generations.
Yours sincerely,
Ritika Kapoor
Subject: Rising Incidents of Cyberbullying Among Teens
Sir/Madam,
Cyberbullying is becoming a silent threat to students. Many hesitate to report such cases due to fear or stigma.
There must be awareness drives and helpline numbers shared in schools to support victims.
Yours sincerely,
Arjun Malhotra
📌 Note for Students and Teachers:Try modifying these examples for practice by changing the locality, newspaper name, or specific issue. You can also convert them into practice questions, which we will cover in Section 5.
Writing a strong Letter to the Editor not only fetches good marks in the CBSE English exam but also helps students voice their opinions on real-life issues effectively. Below are the key elements and strategies that students should follow to write impactful letters.
Before you begin writing:
Being clear about your purpose will help you stay focused while writing.
Stick to the formal format as prescribed by CBSE:
Refer to CBSE Curriculum 2025-26 for format-related updates.
Divide the body into three paragraphs:
Avoid using casual language or personal emotions. Instead, keep the tone:
CBSE recommends the following word limits:
⚠️ Writing too little or too much can cost marks.
The more you practice with current and local issues, the more relevant your writing will become. Newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express, and Times of India are great sources of topics for letters.
📌 Tip for CBSE Board Exam:CBSE often evaluates content, coherence, and format equally. Practice writing at least one letter per week to improve speed and structure.
The following practice questions are based on current events, CBSE trends, and common public interest themes. These will help students of Class 10 and 12 prepare effectively for the exam and improve their formal letter-writing skills.
📌 Tip:
CBSE often takes letter topics from real news headlines. Keep an eye on the newspaper or CBSE sample papers (https://cbseacademic.nic.in).
