CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Syllabus for academic session 2026-27
This page contains the CBSE Class 12 Chemistry syllabus for the academic session 2026-27, as prescribed by CBSE curriculum.
Rationale
The second phase of Secondary stage is the most crucial stage of school education because at this juncture specialised discipline based, content oriented courses are introduced. Students reach this stage after 10 years of general education and opt for Chemistry with a purpose of pursuing their career in basic sciences or professional courses like medicine, engineering, technology and to study courses in applied areas of science and technology at tertiary level. Therefore, there is a need to provide the learners with sufficient conceptual background of Chemistry, which will make them competent to meet the challenges of academic and professional courses after this stage.
The new and updated curriculum is based on a disciplinary approach with rigour and depth ensuring that the syllabus is not heavy and at the same time it is comparable to that at the international level. The pedagogy of Chemistry has undergone tremendous changes in recent times. To keep pace with the developments in Chemistry, many new areas like green chemistry, material science, biomolecules, and industrial chemistry deserve to be an integral part of the chemistry syllabus at this stage. In addition, the nomenclature of elements and compounds; symbols, and units of physical quantities, recommended by scientific bodies like IUPAC and CGPM also need to be incorporated in the updated syllabus. The proposed syllabus takes due care to address these issues.
Objectives
The curriculum of Chemistry at the second phase of Secondary stage has been
designed to:
•
equip the learners with tools to understand the working of Chemistry rather than mere facts of it;
•
develop the necessary conceptual foundations of chemistry and ability to apply them to real life situations;
•
enable the learners to represent chemical phenomena at macroscopic, molecular, and symbolic levels;
•
make the learners identify patterns and form connections that underlie various chemical phenomena;
•
prepare the learners to contribute to frontier research areas related to climate change, environmental issues, materials science, biology and medicine etc.:
•
inculcate problem solving skills in the learners and integrate life skills and values in the context of chemistry; and
•
apprise learners of the interface of chemistry with other disciplines of science such as physics, biology, geology, engineering etc.
Marking Scheme – Theory
Time: 3 Hours
Total Marks: 70
S.No.
Title
Marks
1
Solutions
7
2
Electrochemistry
9
3
Chemical Kinetics
7
4
d and f-Block Elements
7
5
Coordination Compounds
7
6
Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
6
7
Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers
6
8
Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
8
9
Amines
6
10
Biomolecules
7
Total
70
Syllabus – Theory
Unit 1: Solutions
Types of Solutions, Expression of Concentration of Solutions, Solubility, Vapour Pressure of Liquid Solutions, Ideal and Non –Ideal Solutions, Colligative Properties and Determination of Molar Mass, Abnormal Molecular Masses.
Unit 2: Electrochemistry
Electrochemical Cells, Galvanic Cells, Nernst Equation, Conductance of Electrolytic solutions, Electrolytic Cells and Electrolysis, Batteries, Fuel Cells, Corrosion.
Unit 3: Chemical Kinetics
Rate of a Chemical reaction, factors influencing rate of reaction, integrated rate equations, Temperature Dependence of the rate of a reaction, Collision theory of Chemical Reactions
Unit 4: d and f Block Elements
Position in the Periodic Table, Electronic configuration of the d-Block Elements, General properties of the Transition Elements (d-Block), Some Important Compounds of Transition Elements, The Lanthanoids, The Actinoids, Some Applications of d- and f- Block Elements.
Unit 5: Coordination Compounds
Werner’s Theory of Coordination Compound, Definition of Some important terms pertaining to Coordination Compounds, Nomenclature of Coordination Compounds. Isomerism in Coordination Compounds, Bonding in coordination compounds, Bonding in Metal Carbonyls, Importance and Applications of Coordination Compounds.
Unit 6: Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
Classification, Nomenclature, Nature of C–X bond, Methods of Preparation of Haloalkanes, Preparation of Haloarenes, Physical Properties, Chemical Reactions, Polyhalogen Compounds.
Unit 7: Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers
Classification, Nomenclature, Structures of Functional Groups, Alcohols and Phenols, Some commercially Important Alcohols, Ethers.
Unit 8: Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
Nomenclature and Structure of Carbonyl Group, Preparation of Aldehydes and Ketones, Physical Properties and Chemical Reactions, Uses of Aldehydes and Ketones
Nomenclature Structure of Carboxyl Group, Methods of Preparation of Carboxylic Acids, Physical Properties and Chemical Reactions, Uses of Carboxylic Acids.
Unit 9: Amines
Structure of Amines, Classification, Nomenclature, Preparation of Amines, Physical Properties, Chemical Reactions, Methods of Preparation of Diazonium Salts, Physical Propeties, Chemical Reactions, Chemical Reactions Importance of Diazonium Salts in Synthesis of Aromatic Compounds.
Unit 10: Biomolecules
Carbohydrates. Proteins, Enzymes, Vitamins Nucleic Acids, Hormones
Note: The following topics are included in the syllabus but will be assessed only formatively to reinforce understanding without adding to summative assessments. This reduces academic stress while ensuring meaningful learning. Schools can integrate these with existing chapters as they align well. Relevant NCERT textual material is enclosed for reference.
1.
Surface Chemistry – Adsorption – physisorption and chemisorption, factors affecting adsorption of gases on solids, colloidal state distinction between true solutions, colloids and suspension; lyophilic, lyophobic properties of colloids; coagulation, emulsion – types of emulsions.
2.
General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements – Principles and methods of extraction – concentration, oxidation, reduction – electrolytic method and refining
3.
Polymers – Polymerisation, Homopolymers and copolymer with few examples
4.
Chemistry in Everyday life – Chemicals in medicines – analgesics, tranquilizers antiseptics, disinfectants, antimicrobials, antifertility drugs, antibiotics, antacids, antihistamines. Chemicals in food – preservatives, artificial sweetening agents, antioxidants.
Marking Scheme – PRACTICAL
Evaluation Scheme for Examination
Marks
Volumetric Analysis
08
Salt Analysis
08
Content Based Experiment
06
Project Work
04
Class record and viva
04
Total
30
PRACTICAL SYLLABUS
Micro-chemical methods are available for several of the practical experiments, wherever possible such techniques should be used.
A. Surface Chemistry
1.
Preparation of one lyophilic and one lyophobic sol
Lyophilic sol – starch, egg albumin and gum
Lyophobic sol – aluminum hydroxide, ferric hydroxide, arsenous sulphide.
2.
Dialysis of sol-prepared in (a) above.
3.
Study of the role of emulsifying agents in stabilizing the emulsion of different oils.
B. Chemical Kinetics
1.
Effect of concentration and temperature on the rate of reaction between Sodium Thiosulphate and Hydrochloric acid.
2.
Study of reaction rates of any one of the following:
•
Reaction of Iodide ion with Hydrogen Peroxide at room temperature using different concentration of Iodide ions.
•
Reaction between Potassium Iodate, (KIO3) and Sodium Sulphate: (Na2SO3) using starch solution as indicator (clock reaction).
C. Thermochemistry
Any one of the following experiments
•
Enthalpy of dissolution of Copper Sulphate or Potassium Nitrate.
•
Enthalpy of neutralization of strong acid (HCI) and strong base (NaOH).
•
Determination of enthalpy change during interaction (Hydrogen bond formation) between Acetone and Chloroform.
D. Electrochemistry
Variation of cell potential in Zn/Zn2+|| Cu2+/Cu with change in concentration of electrolytes (CuSO4 or ZnSO4) at room temperature.
E. Chromatography
1.
Separation of pigments from extracts of leaves and flowers by paper chromatography and determination of Rf values.
2.
Separation of constituents present in an inorganic mixture containing two cations only (constituents having large difference in Rf values to be provided).
F. Preparation of Inorganic Compounds
1.
Preparation of double salt of Ferrous Ammonium Sulphate or Potash Alum.
2.
Preparation of Potassium Ferric Oxalate.
G. Preparation of Organic Compounds
Preparation of any one of the following compounds
1. Acetanilide 2. Di –benzal acetone 3. p-Nitroacetanilide 4. Aniline yellow or 2 – Naphthol Aniline dye.
H. Tests for the functional groups present in organic compounds
Unsaturation, alcoholic, phenolic, aldehydic, ketonic, carboxylic and amino (Primary) groups.
I. Characteristic tests of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in pure samples and their detection in given foodstuffs.
J. Determination of concentration/ molarity of KMnO4 solution by titrating it against a standard solution of:
1.
Oxalic acid,
2.
Ferrous Ammonium Sulphate
(Students will be required to prepare standard solutions by weighing themselves).
K. Qualitative analysis
Determination of one anion and one cation in a given salt
Cations: 𝑷𝒃𝟐+, 𝑪𝒖𝟐+, 𝑨𝒍𝟑+, 𝑭𝒆𝟑+, 𝑴𝒏𝟐+, 𝑵𝒊𝟐+ 𝒁𝒏𝟐+ 𝑪𝒐𝟐+ 𝑪𝒂𝟐+ 𝑺𝒓𝟐+ 𝑩𝒂𝟐+ 𝑴𝒈𝟐+, \text{NH}^+_4
Anions: CO^{2-}_3, 𝐒𝟐−, SO^{2-}_3, NO^-_3, 𝐂𝐥−, 𝐁𝐫−, 𝐈−, SO^{2-}_4, PO^{3-}_4,𝐂𝐇𝟑𝐂𝐎𝐎−, C2O42-
(Note: Insoluble salts excluded)
PROJECTS
Scientific investigations involving laboratory testing and collecting information from other sources.
A few suggested Projects
a)
Study of the presence of oxalate ions in guava fruit at different stages of ripening.
b)
Study of quantity of casein present in different samples of milk.
c)
Preparation of soybean milk and its comparison with the natural milk with respect to curd formation, effect of temperature, etc.
d)
Study of the effect of Potassium Bisulphate as food preservative under various conditions (temperature, concentration, time, etc.)
e)
Study of digestion of starch by salivary amylase and effect of pH and temperature on it.
f)
Comparative study of the rate of fermentation of following materials: wheat flour, gram flour, potato juice, carrot juice, etc.
g)
Extraction of essential oils present in Saunf (aniseed), Ajwain (carom), Illaichi (cardamom).
h)
Study of common food adulterants in fat, oil, butter, sugar, turmeric power, chili powder and pepper.
Note: Any other investigatory project, which involves about 10 periods of work, can be chosen with the approval of the teacher.
Practical Examination for Visually Challenged Learners Classes XI and XII
Evaluation Scheme
Marks
Identification/Familiarity with apparatus
5
Written test (based on given/prescribed practical’s)
10
Practical Record
5
Viva
10
Total
30
General Guidelines
•
The practical examination will be of two-hour duration.
•
A separate list of ten experiments is included here.
•
The written examination in practicals for these students will be conducted at the time of practical examination of all other students.
•
The written test will be of 30 minutes’ duration.
•
The question paper given to the students should be legibly typed. It should contain a total of 15 practical skill based very short answer type questions. A student would be required to answer any 10 questions.
•
A writer may be allowed to such students as per CBSE examination rules.
•
All questions included in the question papers should be related to the listed practicals.
•
Every question should require about two minutes to be answered.
•
These students are also required to maintain a practical file. A student is expected to record at least five of the listed experiments as per the specific instructions for each subject. These practicals should be duly checked and signed by the internal examiner.
•
The format of writing any experiment in the practical file should include aim, apparatus required, simple theory, procedure, related practical skills, precautions etc.
•
Questions may be generated jointly by the external/internal examiners and used for assessment.
•
The viva questions may include questions based on basic theory/principle/concept, apparatus/materials/ chemicals required, procedure, precautions, sources of error etc.
List of apparatus for identification/familiarity for assessment in practical (All experiments)
Beaker, glass rod, tripod stand, wire gauze, Bunsen burner, Whatman filter paper, gas jar, capillary tube, pestle and mortar, test tubes, tongs, test tube holder, test tube stand, burette, pipette, conical flask, standard flask, clamp stand, funnel, filter paper.
Hands-on Assessment
•
Identification/familiarity with the apparatus
•
Odour detection in qualitative analysis
List of Experiments
The experiments have been divided into two sections: Section A and Section B. The experiments mentioned in Section B are mandatory.
SECTION A
A.
Surface Chemistry
1.
Preparation of one lyophilic and one lyophobic sol
i.
Lyophilic sol – starch, egg albumin and gum
ii.
Lyophobic sol – Ferric hydroxide
B.
Chromatography
Separation of pigments from extracts of leaves and flowers by paper chromatography and determination of Rf values (distance values may be rovided).
C.
Tests for the functional groups present in organic compounds
1.
Alcoholic and Carboxylic groups
2.
Aldehyde and Kenotic groups
D.
Characteristic tests of carbohydrates and proteins in the given foodstuffs.
E.
Preparation of Inorganic Compounds – Potash Alum
SECTION B (Mandatory)
F.
Quantitative analysis
1.
(a)
Preparation of a given volume of the standard solution of Oxalic acid.
(b)
Determination of molarity of KMnO4 solution by titrating it against a standard solution of Oxalic acid.
2.
The above exercise [F 1 (a) and (b)] to be conducted using Ferrous ammonium sulphate (Mohr’s salt)
G.
Qualitative Analysis
Determination of one anion and one cation in a given salt
Cation – NH^+_4
Anions: CO^{2-}_3, S-2, SO^{2-}_3, Cl–, CH3COO–
(Note: insoluble salts excluded)
Note: The above practical may be carried out in an experiential manner rather than recording observations.
Prescribed Books:
1.
Chemistry Part – I, Class-XII, Published by NCERT.
2.
Chemistry Part – II, Class-XII, Published by NCERT.
3.
Manual of Microscale Chemistry Laboratory Kit, Published by NCERT.
Links for NCERT textbooks:
1.
2.
3.
QUESTION PAPER DESIGN
S.No
Domains
Total Marks
%
1
Remembering and Understanding:
Exhibit memory of previously learned material by recalling facts, terms, basic concepts and answers. Demonstrate understanding of facts and ideas by organizing, comparing, translating, interpreting, giving descriptions and stating main ideas.
28
40
2
Applying:
Solve problems to new situations by applying acquired knowledge, facts, techniques and rules in a different way.
21
30
3
Analysing, Evaluating and Creating:
Examine and break information into parts by identifying motives or causes. Make inferences and find evidence to support generalizations. Present and defend opinions by making judgments about information, validity of ideas or quality of work based on a set of criteria.
Compile information together in a different way by combining elements in a new pattern or proposing alternative solutions.
21
30
1.
No chapter wise weightage is provided, however, care to be taken to cover all the chapters.
2.
Suitable internal variations may be made for generating various templates.
3.
There will be no overall choice in the question paper.
4.
However, 33% internal choices will be given in all the sections.