CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2025-26: Download PDF & Full Exam Pattern

Updated CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus for 2025-26 – Get the latest chapter-wise syllabus, marking scheme, and study tips. Download the official PDF at the end!

Overview of CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2025-26

The Class 12 CBSE syllabus for Physics plays a crucial role in board exams and competitive exams like JEE, NEET, CUET, etc. This year, CBSE has introduced competency-based questions and a revised weightage system to encourage conceptual learning over rote memorization.

CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus (2025-26)

Theory Examination

• Time: 3 hours
• Maximum Marks: 70

Unit-wise Distribution of Marks

Detailed Syllabus

Unit I: Electrostatics (16 Marks)

Chapter 1: Electric Charges and Fields

• Electric Charges & Coulomb’s Law
  • Electric charge, conservation of charge
  • Coulomb’s law (force between two point charges & multiple charges)
  • Superposition principle & continuous charge distribution
• Electric Field & Dipoles
  • Electric field due to a point charge & dipole
  • Electric field lines, torque on a dipole in a uniform electric field
• Gauss’s Theorem & Applications
  • Electric flux, Gauss’s law (statement)
  • Applications:
    • Infinitely long straight wire
    • Uniformly charged infinite plane sheet
    • Uniformly charged thin spherical shell (inside & outside)

Chapter 2: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

• Electric Potential & Energy
  • Electric potential due to point charge, dipole, and system of charges
  • Equipotential surfaces, potential energy of charges & dipoles
• Conductors & Capacitors
  • Conductors vs. insulators, free & bound charges
  • Dielectrics & polarization
  • Capacitance (parallel plate capacitor, series/parallel combinations)
  • Energy stored in a capacitor (formula only, no derivation)

Unit II: Current Electricity

Chapter 3: Current Electricity

• Basics of Current & Resistance
  • Electric current, drift velocity, mobility
  • Ohm’s law, V-I characteristics (linear & non-linear)
  • Resistivity, conductivity, temperature dependence of resistance
• Circuits & Measurements
  • Internal resistance of a cell, EMF
  • Combination of cells (series & parallel)
  • Kirchhoff’s laws, Wheatstone bridge

Unit III: Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism (17 Marks)

Chapter 4: Moving Charges & Magnetism

• Magnetic Fields & Forces
  • Biot-Savart law (application to circular loop)
  • Ampere’s law (infinitely long straight wire, solenoid)
  • Force on moving charge & current-carrying conductor
  • Torque on current loop, magnetic dipole moment
• Galvanometer & Conversions
  • Moving coil galvanometer (sensitivity, conversion to ammeter/voltmeter)

Chapter 5: Magnetism & Matter

• Magnetic Dipoles & Materials
  • Bar magnet as a solenoid (qualitative)
  • Magnetic field due to a dipole (along & perpendicular to axis)
  • Torque on a magnetic dipole
  • Magnetic properties (para-, dia-, ferro-magnetic materials)
  • Effect of temperature on magnetism

Unit IV: Electromagnetic Induction & Alternating Currents

Chapter 6: Electromagnetic Induction

• Faraday’s laws, Lenz’s law, self & mutual induction

Chapter 7: Alternating Current

• AC Basics & Circuits
  • Peak & RMS values, reactance, impedance
  • LCR series circuit (phasors), resonance
  • Power in AC circuits, power factor, wattless current
• Devices
  • AC generator, transformer

Unit V: Electromagnetic Waves (18 Marks)

Chapter 8: Electromagnetic Waves

• Displacement current, EM wave characteristics (transverse nature)
• Electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves to gamma rays, uses)

Unit VI: Optics

Chapter 9: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

Ray Optics:

• Reflection of light, spherical mirrors, mirror formula
• Refraction of light, total internal reflection, optical fibers
• Refraction at spherical surfaces, lenses
• Thin lens formula, lens maker's formula
• Magnification, power of a lens
• Combination of thin lenses in contact
• Refraction through a prism

Optical Instruments:

• Microscopes (compound)
• Astronomical telescopes (reflecting & refracting)
• Magnifying power

Chapter 10: Wave Optics

• Wavefronts & Huygen's principle
• Laws of reflection & refraction (proof using Huygen's principle)
• Interference:
  • Young's double-slit experiment
  • Fringe width formula (no derivation)
  • Coherent sources & sustained interference
• Diffraction:
  • Single-slit diffraction
  • Width of central maxima (qualitative)

Unit VII: Dual Nature of Radiation & Matter

Chapter 11: Dual Nature of Radiation & Matter

• Photoelectric effect:
  • Hertz & Lenard's observations
  • Einstein's photoelectric equation
  • Particle nature of light
• Matter waves:
  • de Broglie relation (λ = h/p)
  • Wave nature of particles

Unit VIII: Atoms & Nuclei

Chapter 12: Atoms

• Rutherford's atomic model (α-particle scattering)
• Bohr's model of hydrogen atom:
  • Radius of nth orbit
  • Velocity & energy of electron in nth orbit
  • Hydrogen line spectra (qualitative)

Chapter 13: Nuclei

• Nuclear composition & size
• Nuclear force
• Mass-energy relation (E=mc²)
• Mass defect & binding energy
• Binding energy per nucleon vs. mass number
• Nuclear fission & fusion

Unit IX: Electronic Devices

Chapter 14: Semiconductor Electronics

• Energy bands in solids (conductors, semiconductors, insulators)
• Intrinsic & extrinsic semiconductors (p-type & n-type)
• p-n junction diode:
  • I-V characteristics (forward & reverse bias)
  • Applications: Rectifier

Practical Syllabus (30 Marks)

• Experiments (e.g., Ohm’s law, potentiometer, optics).
• Record + Viva + Project.

Question Paper Design (Theory)

Prescribed Books

1. NCERT Physics Class XII (Part II).
2. NCERT Laboratory Manual.

Note: Excluded content (as per NCERT 2025-26) will not be assessed.

Best Study Tips for CBSE Class 12 Physics

• Focus on Conceptual Clarity: Break down complex topics like Electrostatics and Optics into smaller concepts (e.g., Gauss’s Law, Lens Formula). Use NCERT to build a strong foundation, as it aligns with CBSE’s competency-based approach.
• Practice Numerical Problems: Solve at least 5-10 numericals daily from units like Current Electricity, Electromagnetic Induction, and Semiconductors. Focus on formulas and their applications to ace the 32% application-based questions.
• Revise Diagrams and Derivations: Memorize key diagrams (e.g., Young’s double-slit, p-n junction) and practice derivations (e.g., mirror formula, LCR resonance) to tackle analysis/evaluation questions (30% weightage).
• Simulate Exam Conditions: Solve previous years’ papers and sample papers within 3 hours. Prioritize high-weightage units like Optics (18 marks) and Electrostatics (16 marks) for efficient time management.

Download CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2025-26 PDF

Click the button below to download the official CBSE syllabus PDF for 2025-26.

📂 Download CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus PDF

Related Guides

CBSE Class 12 Syllabus – All Subjects

Stay Updated!

Join our Telegram/WhatsApp group for CBSE updates, free notes, and exam tips!

Bookmark this page & keep revising smartly!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)