The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issues the official Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2026-27 to provide a structured framework for the academic year. To excel in the board examinations, students are advised to align their study strategy closely with the prescribed curriculum and chapter-wise learning objectives.
Mastering the CBSE Class 12 Physics syllabus for 2026–27 is essential not only for board success but also for competitive entrance exams like JEE Main, NEET, and CUET UG. This curriculum is specifically designed to deepen conceptual clarity, sharpen numerical problem-solving skills, and enhance practical application.
The CBSE Physics 2026-27 syllabus strictly adheres to the latest NCERT curriculum as mandated by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The course structure encompasses 9 units and 14 chapters, covering fundamental areas including Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Modern Physics, and Semiconductor Electronics.
CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2026–27: Highlights
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Name | CBSE Class 12 Board Examination |
| Subject | Physics |
| Subject Code | 042 |
| Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education |
| Academic Session | 2026–27 |
| Theory Marks | 70 |
| Practical Marks | 30 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Total Units | 9 |
| Total Chapters | 14 |
| Prescribed Book | NCERT Class 12 Physics Part I & II |
Download the Official CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2026-27 PDF
CBSE Class 12 Physics Exam Pattern 2026–27
The assessment for Physics is split into two components: Theory and Practical. Achieving a high overall score requires balanced preparation across both sections.
Theory Examination
| Particular | Details |
| Theory Marks | 70 |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
| Question Types | MCQs, case-based questions, short answer questions, long answer questions |
| Internal Choice | Available in selected questions |
Practical Examination
| Particular | Marks |
| Practical Exam | 30 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
CBSE Class 12 Physics Unit-wise Weightage 2026–27
The theory examination is worth 70 marks. According to the board’s guidelines, units are categorized to streamline marks distribution and exam preparation.
| Unit | Unit Name | Marks |
| Unit I | Electrostatics | 16* |
| Unit II | Current Electricity | |
| Unit III | Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism | 17* |
| Unit IV | Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Current | |
| Unit V | Electromagnetic Waves | 18* |
| Unit VI | Optics | |
| Unit VII | Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter | 12* |
| Unit VIII | Atoms and Nuclei | |
| Unit IX | Electronic Devices | 7 |
| Total | Theory | 70 |
Important Note: The marking scheme is structured as follows:
- Units I and II = 16 marks
- Units III and IV = 17 marks
- Units V and VI = 18 marks
- Units VII and VIII = 12 marks
- Unit IX = 7 marks
CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2026–27
Covering 9 units and 14 chapters, students are encouraged to thoroughly review each topic in the NCERT textbook and solve practice problems to gain exam-ready confidence.
Unit I: Electrostatics
This unit introduces the foundational principles of electric charges, electric fields, potential energy, and capacitor functionality.
Chapter 1: Electric Charges and Fields
Key topics include:
- Electric charges
- Conservation of charge
- Coulomb’s law
- Superposition principle
- Electric field
- Electric field lines
- Electric dipole
- Torque on a dipole
- Electric flux
- Gauss’s theorem and its applications
Chapter 2: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
Essential concepts include:
- Electric potential
- Potential difference
- Equipotential surfaces
- Electric potential energy
- Conductors and insulators
- Dielectrics
- Capacitors
- Combination of capacitors
- Parallel plate capacitor
- Energy stored in a capacitor
Unit II: Current Electricity
This unit centers on the behavior of electric current, resistance, and the architecture of electrical circuits.
Chapter 3: Current Electricity
Topics covered include:
- Electric current
- Drift velocity
- Mobility
- Ohm’s law
- V-I characteristics
- Electrical energy and power
- Resistivity and conductivity
- Temperature dependence of resistance
- EMF and potential difference
- Internal resistance of a cell
- Combination of cells
- Kirchhoff’s rules
- Wheatstone bridge
Unit III: Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism
This unit explores the intricate relationship and interdependence between electricity and magnetic phenomena.
Chapter 4: Moving Charges and Magnetism
Key areas of focus include:
- Magnetic field
- Oersted’s experiment
- Biot-Savart law
- Ampere’s circuital law
- Force on a moving charge
- Lorentz force
- Force on a current-carrying conductor
- Torque on a current loop
- Moving coil galvanometer
- Conversion of galvanometer into ammeter and voltmeter
Chapter 5: Magnetism and Matter
Important discussion points include:
- Bar magnet
- Magnetic field lines
- Magnetic dipole
- Magnetic properties of materials
- Paramagnetic substances
- Diamagnetic substances
- Ferromagnetic substances
- Magnetisation
- Effect of temperature on magnetic materials
Unit IV: Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Current
This unit covers electromagnetic induction, the mechanics of magnetic fields, and the dynamics of alternating current.
Chapter 6: Electromagnetic Induction
Topics include:
- Electromagnetic induction
- Faraday’s laws
- Induced EMF
- Lenz’s law
- Self-induction
- Mutual induction
Chapter 7: Alternating Current
Core topics include:
- Alternating current
- Peak value
- RMS value
- Reactance
- Impedance
- LCR series circuit
- Resonance
- Power factor
- AC generator
- Transformer
Unit V: Electromagnetic Waves
This unit provides an introduction to electromagnetic waves and the properties of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Chapter 8: Electromagnetic Waves
Key topics include:
- Displacement current
- Electromagnetic waves
- Characteristics of electromagnetic waves
- Transverse nature of electromagnetic waves
- Electromagnetic spectrum
- Radio waves
- Microwaves
- Infrared rays
- Visible light
- Ultraviolet rays
- X-rays
- Gamma rays
- Applications of electromagnetic waves
Unit VI: Optics
Optics represents a significant portion of the Class 12 Physics syllabus, focusing on light properties, image formation, and sophisticated optical instrumentation.
Chapter 9: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
Detailed topics include:
- Reflection of light
- Spherical mirrors
- Mirror formula
- Refraction of light
- Total internal reflection
- Optical fibres
- Refraction at spherical surfaces
- Thin lens formula
- Lens maker’s formula
- Power of a lens
- Combination of lenses
- Refraction through a prism
- Microscopes
- Astronomical telescopes
Chapter 10: Wave Optics
Additional topics include:
- Wavefront
- Huygens’ principle
- Reflection and refraction using wave theory
- Interference of light
- Young’s double slit experiment
- Fringe width
- Coherent sources
- Diffraction
- Width of central maxima
Unit VII: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
This unit examines the dual nature of radiation and matter, exploring wave-particle duality.
Chapter 11: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
Key concepts include:
- Dual nature of radiation
- Photoelectric effect
- Hertz and Lenard’s observations
- Einstein’s photoelectric equation
- Particle nature of light
- Experimental study of photoelectric effect
- Matter waves
- de Broglie relation
Unit VIII: Atoms and Nuclei
This unit delves into atomic structures, nuclear physics, and the principles of radioactivity.
Chapter 12: Atoms
Topics covered include:
- Alpha particle scattering experiment
- Rutherford’s atomic model
- Bohr model of hydrogen atom
- Radius of electron orbit
- Velocity of electron
- Energy of electron
- Hydrogen line spectrum
Chapter 13: Nuclei
Key learning areas include:
- Composition of nucleus
- Size of nucleus
- Nuclear force
- Mass-energy relation
- Mass defect
- Binding energy
- Nuclear fission
- Nuclear fusion
Unit IX: Electronic Devices
The final unit covers the fundamentals of semiconductor devices and their role in modern electronic circuits.
Chapter 14: Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits
Topics include:
- Energy bands
- Conductors
- Semiconductors
- Insulators
- Intrinsic semiconductors
- Extrinsic semiconductors
- P-type semiconductor
- N-type semiconductor
- P-N junction diode
- I-V characteristics
- Forward bias
- Reverse bias
- Diode as a rectifier
CBSE Class 12 Physics Practical Syllabus 2026–27
The practical examination is worth 30 marks. Evaluation is based on performance in experiments, documented activities, an investigatory project, and a comprehensive viva voce.
- At least 8 experiments (4 from each section)
- 6 activities (3 from each section)
- 1 investigatory project report
CBSE Class 12th Practical Marks Distribution
| Component | Marks |
| Two Experiments (One from each section) | 14 |
| Practical Record | 5 |
| One Activity | 3 |
| Investigatory Project | 3 |
| Viva Voce | 5 |
| Total | 30 |
Important Physics Practical Experiments
Section A
Students may be evaluated on experiments such as:
- Determining resistivity using the V-I graph
- Finding resistance using a metre bridge
- Verifying the laws of combination of resistances
- Determining the resistance of a galvanometer
- Converting a galvanometer into a voltmeter or ammeter
- Finding the frequency of AC mains using a sonometer
Section B
Essential laboratory experiments include:
- Finding the focal length of a concave mirror
- Determining the focal length of convex and concave lenses
- Determining the angle of minimum deviation using a prism
- Finding the refractive index of a glass slab
- Determining the refractive index of a liquid
- Plotting the I-V characteristics of a P-N junction diode
Suggested Investigatory Projects
Students are required to select one project from the approved CBSE list. Recommended topics include:
- Study the factors affecting the internal resistance of a cell
- Investigate the variation in current through an LDR
- Determine the refractive index of liquids
- Study the working of a transformer
- Investigate the angle of deviation using a hollow prism
- Estimate charge using Coulomb’s law
- Study the self-inductance of a coil
- Study the Earth’s magnetic field using a compass
CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper Design
The Physics examination is crafted to assess conceptual understanding, analytical prowess, and logical application rather than mere memorization.
| Competency | Approximate Weightage |
| Remembering and Understanding | 38% |
| Applying | 32% |
| Analysing, Evaluating and Creating | 30% |
To perform exceptionally, students should move beyond rote learning and prioritize:
- Understand concepts clearly
- Practice numerical problems regularly
- Solve competency-based and case-based questions
- Revise NCERT examples and important derivations
FAQs
You can download the official CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2026-27 PDF directly from the CBSE academic website (cbseacademic.nic.in) or via the provided link in this article.