CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus 2025-26 (Core & Elective) – Free PDF Download

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus 2025-26 for both Core and Elective streams on its academic portal cbseacademic.nic.in.

English, often overlooked by students, plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall percentage. Since English questions are generally more direct and easier to attempt compared to other core subjects, a well-planned strategy can help boost aggregate marks significantly.

In this comprehensive guide, we have outlined the detailed syllabus, marking scheme, and chapter-wise breakdown for both English Core and English Elective for the 2025-26 academic session.

CBSE Class 12 English Core Syllabus 2025-26 Overview

The Class 12 English Core paper carries a total of 100 marks, divided into:

• 80 Marks – Written Exam (Reading, Writing, and Literature)
• 20 Marks – Internal Assessment (Listening & Speaking Skills)

Download the complete CBSE class 12 English Syllabus from below Link:

PDF CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus

 English Core Marking Scheme (2025-26)

 Detailed Syllabus for Class 12 English Core (2025-26)

📝 Section A: Reading Comprehension – 20 Marks

1. Unseen Passage (Factual, Descriptive, or Literary) – 12 Marks
2. Case-based Factual Passage – 8 Marks

✍️ Section B: Creative Writing Skills – 20 Marks

• Short Writing Tasks (50 words):
  • Notice Writing – 4 Marks
  • Formal/Informal Invitations and Replies – 4 Marks
• Long Writing Tasks (120–150 words):
  • Letter Writing (job application, editor letter) – 5 Marks
  • Article/Report Writing – 5 Marks

📖 Section C: Literature – 40 Marks

Book: Flamingo (Prose)

1. The Last Lesson
2. Lost Spring
3. Deep Water
4. The Rattrap
5. Indigo
6. Poets and Pancakes
7. The Interview
8. Going Places

Book: Flamingo (Poetry)

1. My Mother at Sixty-Six
2. Keeping Quiet
3. A Thing of Beauty
4. A Roadside Stand
5. Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Book: Vistas

1. The Third Level
2. The Tiger King
3. Journey to the End of the Earth
4. The Enemy
5. On the Face of It
6. Memories of Childhood
   • The Cutting of My Long Hair
   • We Too Are Human Beings

Fiction (Novel Study)

Students can choose one of the following:

• A Tiger for Malgudi by R.K. Narayan
• The Financial Expert by R.K. Narayan

 Conclusion

The CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus for 2025-26 is structured to assess a student’s language proficiency, critical thinking, and literary understanding. Whether you’re enrolled in the Core or Elective course, staying aligned with the syllabus and marking scheme will ensure a confident and strategic preparation for the final board exams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the total marks distribution for CBSE Class 12 English Core in 2025-26?
Ans: The total marks for English Core are 100, with 80 marks for the written exam (including Reading, Writing, and Literature) and 20 marks for internal assessment based on Listening and Speaking Skills.

Q2. Is there any change in the English syllabus for Class 12 CBSE in the 2025-26 session?
Ans: Yes, CBSE has updated the Class 12 English syllabus for 2025-26. While the core structure remains similar, some chapters and marking schemes have been revised. Students are advised to follow the latest curriculum available on the official CBSE website.

Q3. Which books are prescribed for the CBSE Class 12 English Elective syllabus?
Ans: The CBSE English Elective syllabus includes content from the textbook Kaleidoscope (short stories, poetry, nonfiction, and drama), and students must also study one of the two novels: A Tiger for Malgudi or The Financial Expert, both by R.K. Narayan.