CBSE Class 12 Geography Syllabus for academic session 2026-27
This page contains the CBSE Class 12 Geography syllabus for the academic session 2026-27, as prescribed by CBSE curriculum.
BACKGROUND/ RATIONALE
Geography is introduced as an elective subject at the second phase of secondary stage. After ten years of general education, students branch out at the beginning of this stage and are exposed to the rigors of the discipline for the first time. Being an entry point for the higher education, students choose Geography for pursuing their academic interest and, therefore, need a broader and deeper understanding of the subject. For others, geographical knowledge is useful in daily lives because it is a valuable medium for the education of young people. Its contribution lies in the content, cognitive processes, skills and values that Geography promotes and thus helps the students explore, understand and evaluate the environmental and social dimensions of the world in a better manner.
Since Geography explores the relationship between people and their environment, it includes studies of physical and human environments and their interactions at different scales-local, state/region, nation and the world. The fundamental principles responsible for the varieties in the distributional pattern of physical and human features and phenomena over the earth’s surface need to be understood properly. Application of these principles would be taken up through selected case studies from the world and India. Thus, the physical and human environment of India and study of some issues from a geographical point of view will be covered in greater detail. Students will be exposed to different methods used in geographical investigations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The course in Geography will help learners to:
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Familiarise with key concepts, terminology and core principles of Geography.
•
Describe locations and correlate with Geographical Perspectives.
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List/describe what students might see, hear and smell at a place.
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List/describe ways a place is linked with other places.
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Compare conditions and connections in one place to another.
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Analyse/ describe how conditions in one place can affect nearby places.
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Identify regions as places that are similar or connected.
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Describe and interpret the spatial pattern features on a thematic map.
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Search for, recognize and understand the processes and patterns of the spatial arrangement of the natural features as well as human aspects and phenomena on the earth’s surface.
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Understand and analyse the interrelationship between physical and human environments and utilize such knowledge in reflecting on issues related to community.
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Apply geographical knowledge and methods of inquiry to emerging situations or problems at different levels-local, regional, national and global.
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Develop geographical skills, relating to collection, processing and analysis of spatial data/ information and preparation of report including maps and graphs and use of computers wherever possible; and to be sensitive to issues.
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The learner will develop the competency to analyse, evaluate, interpret and apply the acquired knowledge to determine the environmental issues effectively.
Syllabus – Chapter Weightage
Book – Fundamental of Human Geography
Chapter No.
Chapter Name
Weightage
Unit I
1
Human Geography
3
Unit II
2
The world Population Density, Distribution and Growth
8
3
Human Development
Unit III
4
Primary Activities
19
5
Secondary Activities
6
Tertiary and Quaternary Activities
7
Transport, Communication and Trade
8
Internal Trade
Map Work (Based on identification of features on World Political Map)
5
Total
35
Book – India People and Economy
Chapter No.
Chapter Name
Weightage
Unit I
1
Population Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition
5
Unit II
2
Human Settlements
3
Unit III
3
Land Resources and Agriculture
10
4
Water Resources
5
Mineral and Energy Resources
6
Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context
Unit IV
7
Transport and Communication
7
8
Internatiol Trade
Univ V
9
Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems
5
Map Work (Based on locating and labelling on a political map of India)
5
Total
35
Book- Geography Practical II
Chapter No.
Chapter Name
Weightage
1
Data-its Source and Compilation
18
2
Data Processing
3
Graphical Representation of Data
4
Spatial Information Technology
7
Practical Record Book and Viva Voce
5
Total
30
Syllabus – COURSE CONTENT
Book: Fundamentals of Human Geography
Unit 1:
Chapter-1 Human Geography: Nature and Scope
•
Introduction to Human Geography
•
Approaches to study Human Geography Regional and Systematic Geography, Dualism
•
Nature of Human Geography
•
Naturalisation of Humans and Humanisation of Nature
•
Schools of thought in Human Geography
•
Fields and subfields of Human Geography
Unit 2:
Chapter- 2 The World Population Distribution, Density and Growth
•
Population-distribution and density
•
Factors influencing the distribution of population
•
Population Growth
•
Components of Population Change
•
Demographic Transition
•
Population Control Measures
Chapter- 3 Human Development
•
Human development – concept; selected indicators
•
Growth and Development
•
The four pillars of Human Development
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Approaches to Human Development
•
Measuring Human Development- HDI, HPI and GNH
•
International comparisons
Unit 3:
Chapter- 4 Primary Activities
Concept and types:
•
Hunting and Gathering, Pastoralism; Nomadic Herding, Commercial Livestock Rearing
•
Types of agriculture:
•
Primitive Subsistence
•
Intensive Subsistence
•
Commercial Agriculture
•
Plantation Agriculture
•
Extensive Commercial Grain Cultivation
•
Mixed Farming
•
Dairy farming
•
Mediterranean Agriculture
•
Market Gardening and Horticulture
•
Cooperative Farming
•
Collective Farming
•
Mining, factors affecting mining
•
Methods of Mining
Chapter- 5 Secondary Activities
•
Manufacturing: Characteristics of Modern large-Scale Manufacturing
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Factors influencing industrial location
•
Classification of manufacturing Industries: On the basis of Size, Inputs /raw material, Output /Products and Ownership
•
Concept of High-tech Industry
Chapter- 6 Tertiary Activities
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Tertiary activities-concept and types
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Trade and Commerce: Retail and Wholesale trading, Transport, Factors Affecting Transport
•
Communication
•
Services
•
People engaged in tertiary activities
•
Tourism, Major tourist regions
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Tourist attractions – some examples from selected countries
•
Medical Services for Overseas Patients in India
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Quaternary and Quinary activities-concept
•
The Digital Divide
Chapter- 7 Transport and Communication
•
Transport
•
Modes of Transportation
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Land transport: Roadways, Highways, Road Density, Border Roads.
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Railways: Trans-continental Railways: Trans-Siberian, Trans Canadian, Australian Trans Continental
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Water Transport: Important Sea Routes, Shipping Canals, Inland waterways
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Air transport: Inter-Continental air routes
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Pipelines
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Communications: Satellite Communications and Cyber Space- Internet
Chapter- 8 International Trade
•
History of International trade
•
Why Does International Trade Exist?
•
Basis of International Trade
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Balance of Trade
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Types of International Trade: Bilateral and Multi-lateral trade
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Case for Free Trade
•
Concept of Dumping
•
World Trade Organisation
•
Regional Trade Blocs
•
Concerns Related to International Trade
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Gateways of International trade: Ports
•
Types of Port
Book: India: People and Economy
Unit:
Chapter- 1 Population Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition
•
Distribution of Population
•
Density of Population
•
Growth of population
•
Four distinct phases of population growth
•
Regional Variation in Population Growth
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Population Composition: Rural – Urban Composition, Linguistic Composition, Religious Composition
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Composition of Working Population
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Promoting Gender Sensitivity through ‘Beti Bachao–Beti Padhao’ Social Campaign.
Unit 2:
Chapter- 2 Human Settlements
•
Rural settlements – types and distribution
•
Urban settlements – types, distribution
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Evolution of Towns in India
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Urbanisation in India
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Functional Classification of Towns
•
Smart Cities Mission
Unit 3:
Chapter- 3 Land Resources and Agriculture
•
Land resources- general land use
•
Land use categories
•
Land-use Changes in India
•
Common Property Resources
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Agricultural Land Use in India
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Cropping Seasons in India
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Types of Farming
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Geographical conditions and distribution of major crops (Wheat, Rice, Tea, Coffee, Cotton, Jute, Sugarcane and Rubber);
Chapter- 4 Water Resources
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Water resources- Surface water and Groundwater Resources
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Lagoons and Backwaters
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Water Demand and Utilisation – irrigation, domestic, industrial and other uses;
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Emerging Water Problems: Deterioration of Water Quality
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Water Conservation and Management; Prevention of Water Pollution; Rain water harvesting and Watershed management
Chapter- 5 Mineral and Energy Resources
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Mineral Resources: Introduction and Types
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Major mineral belts of India
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Distribution of Ferrous Minerals (Iron ore and Manganese), Non-Ferrous Minerals (Bauxite and Copper); Non-metallic minerals (Mica)
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Energy Resources: Conventional sources (Coal, Petroleum and Natural gas) and non-conventional sources (Nuclear, Solar, Wind, Tidal and Wave and Geothermal and Bio energy)
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Conservation of Mineral Resources
Chapter – 6 Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context
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Planning- Introduction
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Target Area Planning: Hill Area Development Programme, Drought Prone Area Programme.
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Concept of Sustainable Development
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Case Studies –
1.
Integrated Tribal Development Project in Bharmaur Region
2.
Indira Gandhi Canal (Nahar) Command Area
Unit 4:
Chapter- 7 Transport and Communication
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Means of Transport: Land (Road transport, Rail transport and Oil and Gas pipelines), Water transport (Inland waterways and Oceanic routes) and Air transport
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Communication Networks- Personal and Mass Communication Systems
Chapter- 8 International Trade
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Changing Pattern of the Composition of India’s Exports and Import
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Direction of Trade
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Sea Ports as Gateways of International Trade
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Major Seaports of India along with their hinterlands.
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Airports
Unit 5:
Chapter- 9 Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems
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Environmental pollution- Introduction and types
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Urban-waste disposal
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Rural-Urban Migration: Case Study
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Problems of Slums
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Land degradation: Case study
Book- Geography Practical Part II
Chapter- 1 Data – Its Source and Compilation
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What is Data, Sources of data: Primary, Secondary and Unpublished sources.
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Tabulation and Classification of Data
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Grouping of Data
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Frequency Polygon
Chapter- 2 Data Processing
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Tabulating and processing of data
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Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
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Comparison of Mean, Median and Mode
Chapter- 3 Graphical Representation of Data
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Representation of data- General rules for drawing diagrams, graphs and maps, construction of line graphs, polygraphs, simple bar diagrams, line and bar diagram, Multiple bar, Compound bar, Pie diagram, Flowchart
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Thematic maps; Construction of Dot Map; Choropleth Map and Isopleth map
Chapter- 4 Spatial Information Technology
Introduction to GIS; Advantages of GIS, Components of GIS, Spatial data formats, Sequence of GIS activities; Spatial data input, Entering attribute data, Data Linkages and matching, Spatial analysis: Overlay Analysis Operation and Buffer Operation
Map Work : Book: Fundamentals of Human Geography
(Map work on identification of features based on units I to III on the outline physical/political map of the World)
Chapter
Map item (Map present on official website of Govt. of India should be used)
Chapter 1-Human Geography
Nil
Chapter 2 The World Population Density Distribution and Growth
Nil
Chapter 3 Human Development
Nil
Chapter 4 Primary Activities
Areas of subsistence gathering
Major areas of nomadic herding of the world
Major areas of commercial livestock rearing
Major areas of extensive commercial grain farming
Major areas of mixed farming of the World
Chapter 5-Secondary Activities
Nil
Chapter 6 Tertiary and Quaternary Activities
Nil
Chapter 7 Transport Communication and Trade
Terminal Stations of Transcontinental Railways
Trans-Siberian, Trans Canadian, Trans-Australian Railways
Major Sea Ports
Europe: North Cape, London, Hamburg
North America: Vancouver, San Francisco, New Orleans∙
South America: Rio de Janeiro, Cologne, Valparaiso
Africa: Suez and Cape Town
Asia: Yokohama, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Aden, Karachi, Kolkata
Australia: Perth, Sydney, Melbourne
Major Airports:
Asia: Tokyo, Beijing, Mumbai, Jeddah, Aden
Africa: Johannesburg & Nairobi
Europe: Moscow, London, Paris, Berlin and Rome
North America: Chicago, New Orleans, Mexico City
South America: Buenos Aires, Santiago
Australia: Darwin and Wellington
Inland Waterways
Suez Canal, Panama Canal, Rhine waterways and St.Lawrence Seaways
Chapter 8 International Trade
Nil
Map Work: Book: India People and Economy
(Map work on locating and labelling of features based on outline political/physical map of India.)
Chapter
Map item (Map present on official website of Govt. of India should be used)
Chapter 1-Population Distribution Density, Growth and Composition
State with highest population density & state with lowest population density (2011)
Chapter 2-Human Settlement
Nil
Chapter 3-Land Resources and Agriculture
Leading producing states of the following crops:
(a) Rice (b) Wheat (c) Cotton (d) Jute (e) Sugarcane (f) Tea and (g) Coffee
Chapter 4-Water Resources
Nil
Chapter 5-Mineral And Energy Resources
Mines:
•
Iron-ore mines: Mayurbhanj, Bailadila, Ratnagiri, Bellary
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Manganese mines: Balaghat, Shimoga
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Copper mines: Hazaribagh, Singhbhum, Khetari
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Bauxite mines: Katni, Bilaspur and Koraput
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Coal mines: Jharia, Bokaro, Raniganj, Neyveli
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Oil Refineries: Mathura, Jamnager, Barauni
Chapter 6-Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context
Nil
Chapter 7-Transport and Communication
Nil
Chapter 8-International Trade
•
Major Sea Ports: Kandla, Mumbai, Marmagao, Kochi, Mangalore, Tuticorin, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Paradwip, Haldia
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International Airports: Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi, Amritsar, Thiruvananthapuram & Hyderabad.
Chapter 9-Geographical Perspective on selected issues and problems
Nil
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.
Book: Fundamentals of Human Geography
1.
Population Composition-
•
Sex Composition
•
Age Structure
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Age Sex Pyramid
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Rural Urban Composition
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Literacy
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Occupation Structure
2.
Human Settlements
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Classification of Settlements
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Types and Patterns of Rural Settlement
•
Problems of Rural Settlement
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Urban Settlement
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Classification of Urban Settlement (On the basis of population, Occupational Structure and Administrative Set up)
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Problems of Urban Settlement
Book- India People and Economy
1.
Migration-
•
Types
•
Causes
•
Consequences
Guidelines for External Assessment/ Geography Practical
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A practical file must be prepared by students covering all the topics prescribed in the practical syllabus.
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The file should be completely handwritten with a cover page, index page and acknowledgment.
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All statistical diagrams and maps should be drawn neatly with appropriate headings, scale, index etc. Data to draw statistical diagrams can be taken from the NCERT textbook or Census.
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The practical file will be assessed both by the internal and external examiners at the time of CBSE practical examinations.
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A written exam of 25 marks will be conducted based on the above given practical syllabus on the day of the practical examination.
•
Viva will be conducted based on practical syllabus only.
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Written Exam – 25 Marks
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Practical file- 02 Marks
•
Viva- 03 Marks
Prescribed Books
NCERT Prescribed Textbook
1.
Fundamentals of Human Geography
2.
India- People and Economy
3.
Practical work in Geography- Part II
Links for NCERT textbooks:
1.
2.
3.
Note:
1.
The above textbooks are also available in Hindi medium.
2.
Kindly refer to the latest editions of all NCERT Textbook.