CBSE Class 12 Biotechnology Syllabus for academic session 2026-27
This page contains the CBSE Class 12 Biotechnology syllabus for the academic session 2026-27, as prescribed by CBSE curriculum.
An unprecedented growth of human knowledge in the field of Biological Sciences coupled with equally significant developments in the field of technology have brought significant changes into existing social and economic systems. The emerging field of Biotechnology is likely to further enhance the applications of Science and Technology for human welfare. Modern Biotechnology processes encompass a wide range of new products such as antibiotics, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and many more. Furthermore, developments in recombinant DNA technology have yielded numerous new useful products in the fields of healthcare and agriculture. The present syllabus takes care of all these aspects. Due emphasis has been laid on familiarizing the learners with the fundamental concepts, basic techniques and their applications. It is expected that the knowledge gained through the study of different topics and the skills acquired through the prescribed practical work will make the learners competent to meet the challenges of academic as well as professional courses after studying the subject at senior secondary stage.
Objectives
The broad objectives of teaching Biotechnology at senior secondary level are to:
•
help the learners know and understand basic facts and concepts of the subject at elementary stage.
•
expose the students to different basic processes and basic techniques used in Biotechnology.
•
familiarize the learners to understand the relationship of the subject to health, nutrition, environment, agriculture and industry, etc.
•
develop conceptual competence in the learners so as to cope up with professional courses in future career.
•
acquaint students with different applications of Biotechnology in everyday life.
•
develop an interest in students to study Biotechnology as a discipline.
Marking Scheme
Time: 3 hours
Max. Marks: 70+30
Units
Marks
Unit-V
Protein and Gene Manipulation
40
Unit-VI
Cell Culture and Genetic Manipulation
30
Practical
30
Total
100
Syllabus – Theory
Time: 3 hours
Max. Marks: 70
Unit-V Protein and Gene Manipulation
40 Marks
Chapter-1: Recombinant DNA Technology
Introduction, Tool of Recombinant DNA technology, making rDNA molecule, Introduction of recombinant DNA into host cells, Identification of recombinants, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), DNA Sequencing.
Chapter-2: Protein Structure and Engineering
Introduction to the world of proteins, Structure-function Relationship in proteins, Characterization of proteins, Protein based products, Designing proteins (Protein Engineering)
Chapter-3: Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics
Gene prediction and counting, Genome similarity, SNPs and Comparative genomics, Functional genomics, Proteomics, Information sources, Analysis using bioinformatics tools.
Unit-VI Cell Culture and Genetic Manipulation
30 Marks
Chapter-1: Microbial Cell Culture and its Applications
Introduction, Microbial nutrition and culture techniques, Measurement and kinetics of microbial growth, Isolation of microbial products, Strain isolation and improvement, Applications of microbial culture technology.
Chapter -2: Plant Cell Culture and Applications
Introduction, Cell and tissue culture techniques, Applications of cell and tissue culture, Transgenic plants with beneficial traits, Biosafety of transgenic plants
Chapter-3: Animal Cell Culture and Applications
Introduction, Animal cell culture techniques, Applications of animal cell culture, Stem cell technology.
PRACTICALS
30 Marks
Note: Every student will be required to do the following experiments during the academic session.
1.
Use of special equipment in biotechnology experiments
2.
Isolation of bacterial plasmid DNA
3.
Detection of DNA by gel electrophoresis
4.
Estimation of DNA by UV spectroscopy
5.
Isolation of bacteria from curd & staining of bacteria
6.
Cell viability assay using Evan’s blue dye exclusion method
7.
Data retrieval and database search using internet site NCBI and download a DNA and protein sequence from internet, analyze it and comment on it
8.
Reading of a DNA sequencing gel to arrive at the sequence
9.
Project work
Scheme of Evaluation
Time: 3 hours
Max. Marks: 30
The scheme of evaluation at the end of the session will be as under:
A
Two experiments
6+6
(only one computer based practical)
(only one computer based practical)
Practical record
04
Viva on Practical
04
B
Project work
Write up
05
Viva on project
05
Total
30
Note: – More emphasis should be given on hands on work in projects.
Prescribed Books
1.
A Text Book of Biotechnology – Class XII : Published by CBSE, New Delhi
2.
A Laboratory Manual of Biotechnology – Class XI : Published by CBSE, New Delhi
Assessment Areas – Theory
Time: 3 hrs.
Max. Marks: 70 Marks
Competencies
Demonstrate, Knowledge and Understanding
50%
Application of Knowledge / Concepts
30%
Analyse, Evaluate and Create
20%
Note:
•
Typology of questions: VSA including MCQs, Assertion – Reasoning type questions; SA; LA-I; LA-II; Source -based/ Case-based/ Passage-based/ Integrated assessment questions.
•
An internal choice of approximately 33% would be provided.
Suggestive verbs for various competencies
•
Demonstrate, Knowledge and Understanding
State, name, list, identify, define, suggest, describe, outline, summarize, etc.
•
Application of Knowledge/Concepts
Calculate, illustrate, show, adapt, explain, distinguish, etc.
•
Analyze, Evaluate and Create
Interpret, analyse, compare, contrast, examine, evaluate, discuss, construct, etc.