Skip to main content
16 min read

CBSE Class 12 Syllabus 2026 — All Subjects (Science, Commerce, Arts)

CBSE Class 12 syllabus 2026 for Science (PCM/PCB), Commerce, and Arts streams. Chapter-wise marks distribution, deleted topics, and exam pattern for every.

The CBSE Class 12 syllabus 2026 covers all three streams — Science (PCM/PCB), Commerce, and Arts. Each subject has 80 marks theory + 20 marks internal assessment. This guide lists the complete chapter-wise syllabus with marks distribution for Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, English, and more.

Science Stream — Physics

UnitChaptersMarks
ElectrostaticsElectric Charges & Fields, Electrostatic Potential & Capacitance16
Current ElectricityCurrent Electricity (Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's, Wheatstone, Meter Bridge)
Magnetic Effects of Current & MagnetismMoving Charges & Magnetism, Magnetism & Matter7
EMI & Alternating CurrentElectromagnetic Induction, Alternating Current8
Electromagnetic WavesElectromagnetic Waves (spectrum, properties)3
OpticsRay Optics & Optical Instruments, Wave Optics14
Dual Nature of Radiation & MatterDual Nature of Radiation & Matter (Photoelectric Effect)4
Atoms & NucleiAtoms (Bohr Model), Nuclei (Radioactivity, Fission, Fusion)6
Electronic DevicesSemiconductor Electronics (p-n junction, diode, transistor, logic gates)7
Total (Theory)70*
Practical30

*Note: Electrostatics + Current Electricity combined carry 16 marks. Total theory is 70 marks + 30 marks practical = 100.

Science Stream — Chemistry

UnitChaptersMarks
Solid StateCrystal Lattice, Unit Cell, Packing, Defects23 (combined Solutions to Electrochemistry)
SolutionsConcentration, Colligative Properties, Raoult's Law
ElectrochemistryNernst Equation, Conductance, Electrolysis, Batteries
Chemical KineticsRate Law, Order, Arrhenius Equation
Surface ChemistryAdsorption, Catalysis, Colloids, Emulsions
p-Block ElementsGroup 15, 16, 17, 18 Elements19 (combined Isolation to Coordination)
d- and f-Block ElementsTransition Elements, Lanthanoids, Actinoids
Coordination CompoundsWerner's Theory, IUPAC, Isomerism, CFT, Applications
Haloalkanes & HaloarenesNomenclature, Reactions, SN1/SN2, Environmental Effects28 (combined Organic chapters)
Alcohols, Phenols, EthersPreparation, Properties, Reactions
Aldehydes, Ketones, Carboxylic AcidsNomenclature, Reactions, Uses
AminesClassification, Preparation, Properties, Diazonium Salts
BiomoleculesCarbohydrates, Proteins, Nucleic Acids, Vitamins
Total (Theory)70
Practical30

Science Stream — Mathematics

UnitChaptersMarks
Relations & FunctionsRelations & Functions, Inverse Trigonometric Functions8
AlgebraMatrices, Determinants10
CalculusContinuity & Differentiability, Applications of Derivatives, Integrals, Applications of Integrals, Differential Equations35
Vectors & 3D GeometryVectors, Three Dimensional Geometry14
Linear ProgrammingLinear Programming (Graphical Method)5
ProbabilityProbability (Bayes' Theorem, Distributions)8
Total (Theory)80
Internal Assessment20

Key insight: Calculus alone is 35/80 marks (44%). Master Integration and Applications of Derivatives to secure nearly half the paper.

Prepare chapter-wise for Class 12

Super Tutor has CBSE Class 12 chapter summaries, formula sheets, and mock tests for every subject.

Start Class 12 Prep — Free

Science Stream — Biology

UnitChaptersMarks
ReproductionReproduction in Organisms, Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants, Human Reproduction, Reproductive Health16
Genetics & EvolutionPrinciples of Inheritance & Variation, Molecular Basis of Inheritance, Evolution20
Biology & Human WelfareHuman Health & Disease, Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production, Microbes in Human Welfare12
BiotechnologyBiotechnology: Principles & Processes, Biotechnology & Its Applications12
EcologyOrganisms & Populations, Ecosystem, Biodiversity & Conservation, Environmental Issues10
Total (Theory)70
Practical30

Commerce Stream — Key Subjects

Accountancy

PartTopicsMarks
Part A: Partnership & Company AccountsAccounting for Partnership (Fundamentals, Goodwill, Change in Profit Sharing, Admission, Retirement, Death, Dissolution), Accounting for Share Capital, Debentures60
Part B: Financial Statement AnalysisAnalysis of Financial Statements, Comparative & Common Size Statements, Ratio Analysis, Cash Flow Statement20
Total (Theory)80

Business Studies

PartChaptersMarks
Part A: Principles & FunctionsNature & Significance of Management, Principles of Management, Business Environment, Planning, Organising, Staffing, Directing, Controlling50
Part B: Business Finance & MarketingFinancial Management, Financial Markets, Marketing Management, Consumer Protection30
Total (Theory)80

Economics

PartTopicsMarks
Part A: Introductory MacroeconomicsNational Income Accounting, Money & Banking, Income Determination, Government Budget, Balance of Payments40
Part B: Indian Economic DevelopmentIndian Economy on the Eve of Independence, Economic Reforms Since 1991, Current Challenges (Poverty, HRD, Rural Development, Employment, Infrastructure, Environment, Sustainable Development)40
Total (Theory)80

English Core — Syllabus

SectionContentMarks
Reading2 unseen passages (factual + literary/discursive) with comprehension, vocabulary, note-making22
Creative Writing & GrammarNotice/Invitation, Letter (formal), Article/Report/Speech, Grammar (tenses, clauses, modals, voice, narration)18
LiteratureFlamingo (prose): The Last Lesson, Lost Spring, Deep Water, The Rattrap, Indigo, etc. Flamingo (poetry): My Mother at Sixty-Six, An Elementary School, Keeping Quiet, etc. Vistas (supplementary): The Third Level, The Tiger King, Journey to the End of the Earth, etc.40
Total (Theory)80

Exam Pattern — Quick Reference

FeatureDetails
Duration3 hours per paper
MarkingTheory (70 or 80) + Internal/Practical (30 or 20) = 100
Question TypesMCQs, assertion-reason, case-based (4 marks), short answer (2–3 marks), long answer (5 marks)
Internal Choice33% internal choice in all subjects
CBQs30–40% competency-based questions
Passing Marks33% overall. For practical subjects: must pass theory and practical separately.

Syllabus and marks distribution based on CBSE's official curriculum for 2025–2026. Marks distribution for Chemistry and Physics includes practical marks (30). CBSE may make minor adjustments — always verify with cbseacademic.nic.in. Last updated: February 2026.

Turn this into board-exam marks

Super Tutor gives you chapter summaries, previous-year questions, and full mock exams matched to your board syllabus — so you revise smarter, not longer.

Start preparing — free

Frequently Asked Questions

Has CBSE reduced the Class 12 syllabus for 2026?

CBSE rationalised the syllabus from 2023–24 onwards. The rationalised syllabus continues for 2025–26. Some topics have been removed or merged. Always download the latest curriculum from cbseacademic.nic.in to confirm which topics are included. This article reflects the current rationalised syllabus.

Each subject: 80 marks theory + 20 marks internal assessment = 100 marks total. Theory paper duration: 3 hours. Question types: MCQs, case-based questions (4 marks), short answer (2–3 marks), and long answer (5 marks). 33% internal choice is available. Competency-based questions (CBQs) make up 30–40% of the paper.

For Science stream: Physical Education (if taken) and English are generally considered easiest to score high marks. Among core subjects: Chemistry is considered most scoring (NCERT-based, predictable questions), followed by Physics (formulaic), then Maths (requires practice). Biology is scoring if you memorise diagrams and NCERT thoroughly.

For JEE Advanced: You need to be in the top 20 percentile of your board OR score 75%+ aggregate (whichever is lower). For NEET: You need 50% in PCB aggregate (General), 40% for OBC/SC/ST. For college admissions through CUET: Board marks are NOT used; only CUET score matters. So board marks matter for eligibility, not for ranking.

CBSE Class 12 students take 5 subjects: 1 language (English compulsory) + 4 electives from their stream. Science: Physics, Chemistry, Maths/Biology + optional (CS/PE/Economics). Commerce: Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics + optional (Maths/IP). Arts: History, Political Science, Geography/Psychology/Sociology + optional. Some students take 6 subjects (additional optional).

Official sources: (1) cbseacademic.nic.in → Curriculum → Senior Secondary, (2) cbse.gov.in → Examinations, (3) NCERT textbooks (ncert.nic.in) — these match the CBSE syllabus. Download the curriculum PDF which includes chapter-wise marks distribution, deleted topics, and project/practical guidelines.