Formal Letter Format for Class 9 to 12 (CBSE) with 9 Examples
The formal letter format is the fixed layout you use when you write to an official, an editor, a principal, a bank or a business. This page explains each part of the format the way CBSE expects it in Class 9 to 12, and then gives 9 solved formal letters on different topics.
Type your name, address and class once at the top. Every sample below fills itself in, so you can copy it, print it or download it as a Word file and practise with your own details.
Formal Letter to the Editor (Short Example)
For a student or citizen raising a public issue in a newspaper. This one asks for public reading rooms for students.
City
Newspaper Name
City
Our city badly needs public reading rooms for students, and I request space in your newspaper to raise this concern with the authorities.
Many students live in small homes with no quiet corner to study. The nearest public library is far away, shuts early and has only a few seats. During exam months, students sit on staircases and in parks with their books.
The civic body could open reading rooms in community halls that stay unused on weekdays. Some tables, fans, good lights and drinking water would be enough to help hundreds of children at very little cost.
Formal Letter to the Municipal Commissioner about Blocked Drains
For a resident asking the municipal officer to clean choked drains before or during the monsoon.
City
Municipal Corporation
City
I am writing on behalf of the residents of Area Name to bring to your notice the poor state of the drains in our area. Most of them have been choked with plastic and silt for over two months and were not cleaned before the rains.
After even a short shower, the main road and the lanes fill with dirty water up to the knees. Children find it hard to reach school, and two-wheelers often skid. The stagnant water has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and several families have reported cases of fever.
I request you to get the drains cleaned at the earliest and to arrange regular checks during the monsoon. Covering the open drain near the market would also stop garbage from falling in again. The residents are ready to help your staff in any way needed.
Secretary, Residents' Welfare Association
Formal Letter to the Police for Road Safety near School
For a student asking the Station House Officer to post a traffic constable outside the school during rush hours.
City
Police Station Name
City
As a Class Class student of School Name, I am writing to ask for your help in making the road outside our school safer for children.
Our school gate opens onto a busy main road. Every morning before assembly and again at dispersal time, hundreds of students cross this road while buses, autorickshaws and cars rush past. There is no zebra crossing and no speed breaker. Last week a young student was nearly hit by a speeding motorcycle.
I request you to post a traffic constable at the gate during these hours. A zebra crossing and a "School Ahead" sign board would also make drivers slow down. Senior students are willing to volunteer at the gate to help the constable.
Class Class, School Name
Formal Letter Format: Parts of a Formal Letter
A formal letter is a letter written for an official purpose to someone you do not know personally, or know only in their official role. Every formal letter follows the same order. Write all parts on the left side of the page (the block format).
| No. | Part | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sender's address | Your house address and city, in two or three lines. In an exam, use the address given in the question, or write "Examination Hall". | [Address] [City] |
| 2 | Date | One line below the address. Write the day, the month in words and the year. | [Date] |
| 3 | Receiver's address | Start with "The" and the post, then the office name and city. | The Editor [Newspaper Name] [City] |
| 4 | Subject | One line that tells the purpose. Keep it under 10 words. | Subject: Order for library books |
| 5 | Salutation | "Sir", "Madam" or "Sir/Madam". Use "Respected Sir/Madam" for a principal. | Sir/Madam, |
| 6 | Body | Three short paragraphs: the purpose, the details, and what you want done. | See the samples below |
| 7 | Complimentary close | "Yours faithfully" for most formal letters. "Yours sincerely" if you name the person in the salutation. | Yours faithfully, |
| 8 | Name and signature | Your signature, then your name. Add your designation if you write for a school or office. | [Your Name] |
The three paragraphs of the body
- Opening: say who you are and why you are writing, in the first two lines.
- Details: give facts, numbers, dates and the effect of the problem.
- Closing request: say clearly what action you want, and by when.
Do not use short forms like "don't", slang or emojis. Leave one blank line between each part. For letters to friends and family, the informal letter format is different: it has no subject and no receiver's address.
Formal Letter to the Principal for Career Counselling
For a Class 10 student writing on behalf of classmates before choosing a stream for Class 11.
City
School Name
City
I am Your Name of Class Class, Section Section. On behalf of my classmates, I request you to arrange career counselling sessions for us before we choose our subjects for Class 11.
Many of us are unsure whether to take science, commerce or humanities. Some students pick a stream only because their friends have chosen it. A trained counsellor could help us understand our strengths, the courses open after school, and the careers each stream leads to.
Two or three sessions in the coming month, with time for questions, would help us a great deal. If parents could attend one of them, they would also understand our choices better. We would be grateful for your support.
Class Class, Section Section
Roll No.: Roll No.
Letter of Enquiry about a Summer Coding Course
For a student asking a training institute for details of a short course during the summer holidays.
City
Organisation Name
City
I read your advertisement in Newspaper Name about summer courses for school students. I am in Class Class and wish to learn computer programming during my vacation. Kindly send me these details:
(a) the courses open to students of my age and their duration
(b) the batch timings and the starting dates
(c) the fee for each course and how it can be paid
(d) whether a certificate is given at the end
I would also like to know if a free trial class is held before admission, and whether you provide computers or students must bring their own laptops. An early reply will help me plan my holidays.
Formal Letter for Placing an Order for Library Books
For a school librarian ordering books from a bookseller. A common CBSE Class 11 and 12 question.
Address
City
Organisation Name
City
With reference to your catalogue received last week, I wish to place an order for the following books for our school library:
1. English dictionary, latest edition: 10 copies
2. School atlas of India and the world: 5 copies
3. Short stories for young readers: 15 copies
4. General knowledge yearbook for students: 10 copies
Please deliver the books by end date, before the new session starts. Kindly allow the usual discount for schools and send the bill along with the books. Damaged copies will be returned at your cost. Payment will be made by cheque within fifteen days of delivery.
Librarian, School Name
Formal Complaint Letter about Irregular City Bus Service
For a student or daily passenger complaining to the depot manager about late and overcrowded buses on one route.
City
City Bus Depot
City
I wish to complain about the irregular bus service on route route number, which links Area Name to the city centre. I travel on this route daily to reach school, along with many office workers and senior citizens.
For the past month, buses have either come very late or skipped trips altogether. The early morning bus has missed most of its trips. When a bus does arrive, it is so crowded that many people are left behind at the stop. Students reach school late, and elderly passengers have to stand for the whole journey.
I request you to make sure buses on this route run on time. One extra bus in the morning and evening rush hours would solve most of the problem. I trust you will take quick action.
Formal Letter to a Bank Manager to Open a Scholarship Account
For a school student who has won a scholarship that must be paid into a savings account in the student's name.
City
Bank Name
Branch Name
City
I am a student of Class Class at School Name. I have been selected for a merit scholarship by Organisation Name, and the amount can be paid only into a savings account in my own name.
I request you to open a savings account for me at your branch. As I am a minor, the account may be opened with my parent, Parent's Name, as guardian. Copies of my birth certificate, school identity card, address proof and the scholarship letter are enclosed. My parent will visit the branch with the originals for verification.
Please let me know if any other form is needed. I would be thankful if the account could be opened before end date, the last date for sending bank details to the scholarship office.
Formal Letter to a Government Officer for Use of the Stadium
For a school sports captain asking the District Sports Officer for permission to use the district stadium for a tournament.
Address
City
District Sports Office
City
I am the sports captain of School Name. Our school is hosting an inter-school football tournament for under-16 teams from start date to end date, and twelve schools of the district have confirmed their entries.
Our own ground is too small for full-size matches. I therefore request your permission to use the football ground of the district stadium on these dates, from morning till early afternoon. We would also value the help of two qualified referees from your office.
The school will take full responsibility for keeping the ground clean and for the safety of the players. A first-aid team and teachers will be present at all matches. A letter from our principal supporting this request is enclosed.
Sports Captain, School Name
Formal Letter Writing for CBSE Class 10 and 12: What Examiners Check
Formal letter writing is a regular question in the CBSE English writing section. The letter types asked change a little with the class:
- Class 9 and 10: letter to the editor, letter of complaint, letter of enquiry, letter placing an order.
- Class 11 and 12: letter to the editor, letters placing an order, enquiry or complaint, and job application letters.
The word limit is usually about 100 to 120 words for Class 10 and 120 to 150 words for Class 12. Check the latest CBSE sample paper for your year, because the limit and marks can change.
In general, marks are given for three things:
- Format: sender's address, date, receiver's address, subject, salutation, close and name, all in the right order.
- Content: every point given in the question is covered, with sensible details.
- Expression: correct grammar, spelling and a polite, formal tone, with ideas in a clear order.
Use the name and address given in the question, even if it is not yours. If a letter asks for a newspaper, write to the editor, as shown on the letter to the editor page. For more practice, see complaint letter, business letter and letter writing.
Formal Letter Topics for Class 6 to 12
Practise the format with these topics. Use the samples above as a model, and change the details.
- Write to the editor about the misuse of plastic bags in markets.
- Write to the principal asking for a science club in your school.
- Write to the municipal officer about broken streetlights in your colony.
- Write to a travel agency asking about a family trip package.
- Write to a sports goods dealer placing an order for cricket kits.
- Write to the station master about poor cleanliness at the railway station.
- Write to the bank manager asking to update your address.
- Write to the Post Master about letters being delivered late.
- Write to the district education officer asking for a library in a village school.
- Write to a company complaining about a water purifier that stopped working.
Tips for Writing a Formal Letter in English
- Plan the three body paragraphs before you write: purpose, details, request.
- Write the date in full, such as 5 August followed by the year. Avoid 5/8, which can be read two ways.
- Keep the subject line short and specific. "Blocked drains in Sector 4" is better than "Complaint".
- State the purpose in the first two lines. Do not start with a long introduction about yourself.
- Use "Yours faithfully" when the salutation is "Sir/Madam". Do not write "Your faithfully" or put a capital F.
- Avoid short forms, slang and emotional words. Be firm in complaints, but always polite.
- In the exam, stay within the word limit and do not add your real name if the question gives one.
Questions people ask
What is a formal letter?
A formal letter is a letter written for an official purpose, such as a complaint, an enquiry, an order or a request. It is sent to people like an editor, a principal, a government officer or a company. It follows a fixed format and uses polite, formal language.
What is the format of a formal letter for Class 10?
Write the sender's address, the date, the receiver's address, the subject, the salutation, the body in three paragraphs, the complimentary close and your name. All parts start on the left side. Keep the letter to about 100 to 120 words unless the question says otherwise.
How do I write the date in a formal letter?
Write it one line below the sender's address. Use the day, the month in words and the year, for example 12 March followed by the year. Writing the month in words avoids confusion.
Should I write "Yours faithfully" or "Yours sincerely"?
Use "Yours faithfully" when you begin with "Sir" or "Madam" and do not know the person's name. Use "Yours sincerely" when you address the person by name. For a principal, many schools also accept "Yours obediently".
Is the formal letter format for Class 6 and Class 8 different?
No. The same parts are used in every class. Younger students write shorter bodies and simpler topics, such as a letter to the principal, while older classes write to editors, officials and businesses.
What is the difference between a formal and an informal letter?
A formal letter is for official work and has a subject line and the receiver's address. An informal letter is to friends or relatives, has no subject, and uses a friendly tone.
Every letter on this page is written and checked by our team. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write.
Other letters you may need
- Letter to the editor10 samples
- Informal letter11 samples
- Letter writing12 samples
- Complaint letter12 samples
- Business letter11 samples
- Application to principal12 samples