CBSE Class 11 Chemistry Syllabus 2026-27
Subject Code: 043 | Academic Year: 2026-27
The CBSE Class 11 Chemistry syllabus 2026-27 covers 14 units across Physical, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry branches. The theory paper carries 70 marks with 30 marks for practicals. Class 11 Chemistry builds the foundation for Class 12 Chemistry and is directly tested in JEE and NEET — Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Chemical Bonding and Organic Basics are high-weightage for both board exams and entrance tests.
Marks Distribution
| Unit | Unit Name | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| I | Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry | 5 |
| II | Structure of Atom | 6 |
| III | Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties | 4 |
| IV | Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure | 7 |
| V | States of Matter: Gases and Liquids | 3 |
| VI | Chemical Thermodynamics | 8 |
| VII | Equilibrium | 8 |
| VIII | Redox Reactions | 3 |
| IX | Hydrogen | 2 |
| X | s-Block Elements (Group 1 and Group 2) | 4 |
| XI | p-Block Elements (Groups 13 and 14) | 4 |
| XII | Organic Chemistry — Some Basic Principles and Techniques | 5 |
| XIII | Hydrocarbons | 7 |
| XIV | Environmental Chemistry | 4 |
| Theory Total | 70 | |
| Practical | 30 | |
| Grand Total | 100 | |
Unit-wise Syllabus
Unit I: Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry
5 marks- Matter, its nature and behaviour, laws of chemical combination, atomic and molecular masses
- Mole concept, molar mass, empirical and molecular formula, stoichiometry and calculations based on it
Unit II: Structure of Atom
6 marks- Discovery of electron, proton and neutron, atomic number, isotopes and isobars
- Thomson, Rutherford and Bohr models, quantum mechanical model, orbitals, quantum numbers, electronic configuration, Aufbau principle, Pauli's exclusion principle, Hund's rule
Unit III: Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties
4 marks- Modern periodic law, periodic table, atomic radius, ionic radius, inert gas radii
- Ionisation enthalpy, electron gain enthalpy, electronegativity, valence and oxidation state
Unit IV: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
7 marks- Ionic bond, covalent bond, bond parameters, Lewis dot structure, VSEPR theory
- Valence bond theory, hybridisation (sp, sp², sp³, sp³d, sp³d², sp³d³), molecular orbital theory, hydrogen bond
Unit V: States of Matter: Gases and Liquids
3 marks- Gas laws, ideal gas equation, Dalton's law, kinetic theory of gases, deviation from ideal behaviour
- Liquefaction of gases, liquid state, vapour pressure, viscosity, surface tension
Unit VI: Chemical Thermodynamics
8 marks- Concepts of system and surroundings, first law of thermodynamics, internal energy, enthalpy
- Hess's law, enthalpy of bond dissociation, combustion, formation, atomisation, sublimation
- Introduction to entropy, spontaneity, Gibbs energy, relationship with equilibrium constant
Unit VII: Equilibrium
8 marks- Equilibrium in physical and chemical processes, dynamic equilibrium, law of mass action
- Equilibrium constant (Kp, Kc), Le Chatelier's principle, ionic equilibrium, acids and bases (Arrhenius, Brønsted-Lowry, Lewis)
- Ionisation of acids and bases, pH, buffer solutions, hydrolysis, solubility product, common ion effect
Unit VIII: Redox Reactions
3 marks- Concept of oxidation and reduction, redox reactions, oxidation number, balancing redox equations (oxidation number and ion-electron methods), applications
Unit IX: Hydrogen
2 marks- Position in periodic table, occurrence, isotopes, preparation, properties and uses, hydrides
- Water — structure, properties, heavy water, hydrogen peroxide
Unit X: s-Block Elements (Group 1 and Group 2)
4 marks- Group 1 (Alkali metals) — electronic configuration, anomalous behaviour of Li, general properties and trends
- Group 2 (Alkaline earth metals) — electronic configuration, general properties, uses of Ca and Mg compounds, biological importance
Unit XI: p-Block Elements (Groups 13 and 14)
4 marks- Group 13 — electronic configuration, occurrence, boron allotropes, properties of boron compounds (BF₃, BCl₃)
- Group 14 — allotropes of carbon, properties of oxides of carbon and silicon, uses of silicon and silicates
Unit XII: Organic Chemistry — Some Basic Principles and Techniques
5 marks- Classification of organic compounds, IUPAC nomenclature, isomerism
- Fundamental concepts in reaction mechanisms — inductive, electromeric, resonance and hyperconjugation effects, types of reactions
Unit XIII: Hydrocarbons
7 marks- Alkanes — nomenclature, isomerism, conformations, properties, combustion, halogenation (free radical mechanism)
- Alkenes — nomenclature, double bond, geometrical isomerism, Markovnikov's rule, addition reactions
- Alkynes — nomenclature, triple bond, acidic character, addition reactions
- Aromatic hydrocarbons — benzene structure, resonance, aromaticity, electrophilic substitution
Unit XIV: Environmental Chemistry
4 marks- Environmental pollution — air, water and soil pollution, chemical reactions in atmosphere
- Smog, major atmospheric pollutants, acid rain, ozone and its reactions, greenhouse effect, global warming, pollution control strategies
Recommended Reference Books
- ★Chemistry Part I & II — Class XI — NCERT (primary — read thoroughly)
- ★Numerical Chemistry — P. Bahadur (best for Physical Chemistry numericals)
- ★Organic Chemistry — O.P. Tandon (widely used for Class 11 Organic chapters)
- ★MTG NCERT at your Fingertips Chemistry (chapter-wise MCQs for NEET aspirants)
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How many units are in CBSE Class 11 Chemistry syllabus 2026-27?▾
CBSE Class 11 Chemistry has 14 units covering topics from Basic Concepts of Chemistry to Environmental Chemistry. Theory paper carries 70 marks and practicals carry 30 marks.
What is the marks distribution for CBSE Class 11 Chemistry?▾
Theory paper carries 70 marks. Chemical Thermodynamics (Unit VI) and Equilibrium (Unit VII) together carry 16 marks. Chemical Bonding (Unit IV) carries 7 marks. Practical carries 30 marks, totalling 100 marks.
Which units are most important in CBSE Class 11 Chemistry for JEE and NEET?▾
Structure of Atom (Unit II), Chemical Bonding (Unit IV), Thermodynamics (Unit VI), and Equilibrium (Unit VII) are high-weightage for both JEE and NEET. Organic Chemistry basics (Unit XII) and Hydrocarbons (Unit XIII) are heavily tested in JEE. For NEET, Environmental Chemistry and s-Block/p-Block elements also matter.
What is covered in the Thermodynamics unit of Class 11 Chemistry?▾
Class 11 Chemistry Thermodynamics covers system and surroundings, internal energy, first law of thermodynamics, enthalpy changes, Hess's law, bond enthalpy, spontaneity, entropy, Gibbs energy, and criteria for chemical equilibrium.
What are the best reference books for CBSE Class 11 Chemistry?▾
NCERT Chemistry Part I & II (Class XI) is primary. P. Bahadur's Physical Chemistry is excellent for numerical problems. O.P. Tandon's Organic Chemistry is good for Class 11 Organic chapters. For NEET, MTG NCERT at your Fingertips Chemistry is widely used.
Is CBSE Class 11 Chemistry difficult?▾
Class 11 Chemistry is considered moderately difficult. Physical Chemistry (Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Redox) requires numerical skills. Inorganic Chemistry (periodic trends, bonding, s-block) is mostly conceptual. Organic Chemistry (basics and Hydrocarbons) needs understanding of reaction mechanisms. Students who start with a tutor from Unit I typically find the subject very manageable.
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