CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus 2025-26

The CBSE Class 12 English syllabus for the academic year 2025-26 that aims to build strong language and literature skills in students by NCERT books that contains well structured reading section, writing section, and grammar. It follows NCERT's framework including two books for CBSE english syllabus 2025, one is Flamingo (main reader) and Vistas (supplementary reader) and is divided into three sections: Reading Skills, Writing skills like essay writing and report writing preparing students for higher studies and professional communication & Grammar and lastly, Literature.

This syllabus guides students to comprehend unseen passages and express their own ideas clearly. The CBSE Class 12 English syllabus balances skill development with academic achievement which helps prepare students not just for board exams but also for future studies and real world communication professionally.

With a total of 80 marks in the theory paper and an additional 20 marks for internal assessment, covering speaking, listening, and project tasks. The CBSE Class 12 English core syllabus ensures simplified language learning. The chapters of the English core, combined with grammar exercises, help students achieve strong performance. Below, you’ll find a clear breakdown of the syllabus with marking scheme, key learnings of concepts, and FAQs.

CBSE Class 12 English Core Syllabus 2025-26 Literature & Supplementary Reading book: Chapter wise Table

CBSE Class 12 English Core Syllabus Marking Scheme Table (2024-25)

Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passage: 22 Marks

1. One unseen passage to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis and inference. Vocabulary assessment will also be assessed via inference. The passage may be factual, descriptive or literary. 

2. One unseen case-based factual passage with verbal/visual inputs like statistical data, charts etc. to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. 

Creative Writing Skills: 18 Marks

3. Notice, up to 50 words. One out of the two given questions to be answered. (4 Marks: Format :1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar. 

4. Formal/Informal Invitation and Reply, up to 50 words. One out of the two given questions to be answered. (4 Marks: Format: 1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar :1). 

5. Letters based on verbal/visual input, to be answered in approximately 120-150 words. Letter types include application for a job with bio data or resume. Letters to the editor (giving suggestions or opinion on issues of public interest). One out of the two given questions to be answered. (5 Marks: Format: 1/Organisation of Ideas:1/Content:2/ Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar :1). 

6. Article/ Report Writing, descriptive and analytical in nature, based on verbal inputs, to be answered in 120-150 words. One out of the two given questions to be answered. (5 Marks:Format:1/Organisation of Ideas:1/Content:2/Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar:1).

Literature Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text: 40 Marks

 This section will have a variety of assessment items including Multiple Choice Questions, Objective Type Questions, Short Answer Type Questions and Long Answer Type Questions to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation and extrapolation beyond the text. 

7. One Poetry extract out of two, from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and appreciation. (6x1=6 Marks) 

8. One Prose extract out of two, from the book Vistas, to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation and appreciation. (4x1=4 Marks) 

9. One prose extract out of two from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. (6x1=6Marks) 

10. Short answer type questions (from Prose and Poetry from the book Flamingo), to be answered in 40-50 words each. Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. Five questions out of the six given, are to be answered. (5x2=10 Marks) 

11. Short answer type questions, from Prose (Vistas), to be answered in 40- 50 words each. Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. Any two out of three questions to be done. (2x2=4 Marks) 

12. One Long answer type question, from Prose/Poetry (Flamingo), to be answered in 120-150 words. Questions can be based on incident / theme / passage / extract / event as reference points to assess extrapolation beyond and across the text. The question will elicit analytical and evaluative response from the student. Any one out of two questions to be done. (1x5=5 Marks) 

13. One Long answer type question, based on the chapters from the book Vistas, to be answered in 120-150 words, to assess global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the text. Questions to provide analytical and evaluative responses using incidents, events, themes, as reference points. Any one out of two questions to be done. (1x5=5 Marks)

The Class 12 English Core Syllabus provides a map of the topics and chapters that will be covered throughout the academic year of 2025-26. The syllabus ensures that students learn all essential concepts of grammar, from fundamental to advanced topics, necessary for exams and higher studies.By following the Class 12 English Core Syllabus, students can prioritise their study time effectively, focusing on topics that carry more weightage in exams.

Key Learning Outcomes from CBSE Syllabus Class 12 English 

• Conceptual understanding, decoding, Skills of analyzing, inferring, interpreting, appreciating, literary, conventions and vocabulary, summarizing.
• Recalling, reasoning, critical thinking, Text Book appreciating literary convention, inference, using creativity with fluency in language.
• Through creative writing tasks, students will enhance their expression, clarity, grammar, and tone for various formats like articles, letters, and reports.
• The practice of listening and speaking skills done throughout the academic year. Improving vocabulary and language by engaging with rich literary texts that include a variety of styles and contexts.
• Reading textbooks provide students analytical and evaluative responses, using incidents, events, themes.
• Exposure to popular writers like Kamala Das, Stephen Spender, and Asokamitran helps learners explore diverse cultural and emotional perspectives.
• The syllabus strengthens communication skills through discussions, debates, and the internal assessment of speaking and listening.
• Supplementary texts like Vistas develop understanding of social issues, psychological depth, and human values.
• Writing assignments and project work prepare students for academic writing, public speaking, and future competitive exams.
  
  

Disclaimer: The syllabus and academic information provided here are taken from official CBSE and NCERT sources. For any updates or confusion, please refer to the official CBSE or NCERT websites.