CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2026-27
Subject Code: 042 | Academic Year: 2026-27
The CBSE Class 12 Physics syllabus 2026-27 spans nine units covering electromagnetism, optics, modern physics, and electronics. The theory paper carries 70 marks with a 30-mark practical component. The syllabus is foundational for JEE and NEET aspirants, with units like Electrostatics, Electromagnetism, and Optics forming the bulk of entrance exam questions.
Marks Distribution
| Unit | Unit Name | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| I | Electrostatics | 16 |
| II | Current Electricity | 16 |
| III | Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism | 17 |
| IV | Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents | 17 |
| V | Electromagnetic Waves | 3 |
| VI | Optics | 16 |
| VII | Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter | 4 |
| VIII | Atoms and Nuclei | 5 |
| IX | Electronic Devices | 6 |
| Theory Total | 70 | |
| Practical | 30 | |
| Grand Total | 100 | |
Unit-wise Syllabus
Unit I: Electrostatics
16 marks- Electric Charges and Fields — Coulomb's law, electric field, Gauss's theorem, electric potential
- Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance — potential due to charges, capacitors, dielectrics, energy stored
Unit II: Current Electricity
16 marks- Ohm's law, electrical resistance, resistivity, Kirchhoff's laws, Wheatstone bridge, potentiometer, cells in series and parallel
Unit III: Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism
17 marks- Moving Charges and Magnetism — Biot-Savart law, Ampere's law, force on current, cyclotron
- Magnetism and Matter — bar magnet, Earth's magnetism, magnetic properties of materials
Unit IV: Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents
17 marks- Electromagnetic Induction — Faraday's laws, Lenz's law, eddy currents, self and mutual inductance
- Alternating Current — RMS values, LC oscillations, series LCR circuit, resonance, transformers
Unit V: Electromagnetic Waves
3 marks- Displacement current, electromagnetic spectrum, characteristics and uses of EM waves
Unit VI: Optics
16 marks- Ray Optics and Optical Instruments — reflection, refraction, TIR, lenses, microscope, telescope
- Wave Optics — Huygens' principle, Young's double slit experiment, diffraction, polarisation
Unit VII: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
4 marks- Photoelectric effect, Einstein's photoelectric equation, de Broglie wavelength, Davisson-Germer experiment
Unit VIII: Atoms and Nuclei
5 marks- Atoms — Rutherford model, Bohr model, spectral series of hydrogen
- Nuclei — radioactivity, nuclear reactions, nuclear fission and fusion, binding energy
Unit IX: Electronic Devices
6 marks- Semiconductor — p-n junction, diode characteristics, rectifier, Zener diode, transistor, logic gates
Recommended Reference Books
- ★Physics Part I & II — Class XII — NCERT (primary, must-read)
- ★Concepts of Physics Vol 1 & 2 — H.C. Verma (best for JEE aspirants)
- ★DC Pandey Physics Series — excellent chapter-wise practice problems
- ★Pradeep's Fundamental Physics — detailed explanations with solved examples
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How many units are in CBSE Class 12 Physics syllabus 2026-27?▾
There are 9 units: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents, Electromagnetic Waves, Optics, Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter, Atoms and Nuclei, and Electronic Devices.
What is the marks distribution for CBSE Class 12 Physics?▾
Theory paper carries 70 marks and practical exam carries 30 marks, totalling 100 marks.
Which unit carries the most marks in CBSE Class 12 Physics?▾
Optics carries 16 marks, followed by Current Electricity (16 marks) and Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents (17 marks).
Is CBSE Class 12 Physics syllabus enough for JEE and NEET?▾
The CBSE Class 12 Physics syllabus covers most JEE and NEET topics. However, JEE Advanced requires deeper problem-solving skills beyond NCERT level, and NEET focuses heavily on the NCERT text.
What are the best books for CBSE Class 12 Physics?▾
NCERT Physics Part I & II are primary. H.C. Verma's Concepts of Physics (Vol 1 & 2) is highly recommended for JEE aspirants. DC Pandey Physics and Pradeep's Physics are good for board + entrance prep.
What chapters are in the Optics unit of CBSE Class 12 Physics?▾
Optics covers Ray Optics and Optical Instruments (mirrors, lenses, microscopes, telescopes) and Wave Optics (Huygens' principle, interference, diffraction, polarisation).
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