Updated CBSE Class 11 Chemistry 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 11 Chemistry Syllabus 2025-26
The Class 11 CBSE syllabus for Chemistry 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.
| Board | CBSE |
| Class | 11 |
| Session | 2025-26 |
| Subject | Chemistry |
| Content-Type | Syllabus/Curriculum |
| Official Website | https://cbseacademic.nic.in |
COURSE STRUCTURE: CLASS XI CHEMISTRY
THEORY
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Total Marks: 70
Mark Distribution by Unit
| S. No. | Unit | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry | 7 |
| 2 | Structure of Atom | 9 |
| 3 | Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties | 6 |
| 4 | Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure | 7 |
| 5 | Chemical Thermodynamics | 9 |
| 6 | Equilibrium | 7 |
| 7 | Redox Reactions | 4 |
| 8 | Organic Chemistry: Some Basic Principles and Techniques | 11 |
| 9 | Hydrocarbons | 10 |
| Total | 70 |
Detailed Syllabus
Unit 1: Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry (7 Marks)
- General Introduction: Importance and scope of Chemistry.
- Nature of matter, Laws of chemical combination.
- Dalton’s atomic theory: Concept of elements, atoms, and molecules.
- Atomic and molecular masses, Mole concept, Molar mass.
- Percentage composition, Empirical and molecular formulas.
- Chemical reactions, Stoichiometry, and calculations based on stoichiometry.
Unit 2: Structure of Atom (9 Marks)
- Discovery of Electron, Proton, and Neutron.
- Atomic number, Isotopes, and Isobars.
- Thomson’s model and its limitations.
- Rutherford’s model and its limitations.
- Bohr’s model and its limitations.
- Concept of shells and subshells.
- Dual nature of matter and light, de Broglie’s relationship.
- Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle.
- Concept of orbitals, Quantum numbers, Shapes of s, p, and d orbitals.
- Rules for filling electrons: Aufbau Principle, Pauli’s Exclusion Principle, Hund’s Rule.
- Electronic configuration of atoms, Stability of half-filled and completely filled orbitals.
Unit 3: Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties (6 Marks)
- Significance of classification, Brief history of the periodic table.
- Modern periodic law, Present form of the periodic table.
- Periodic trends: Atomic radii, Ionic radii, Inert gas radii, Ionization enthalpy, Electron gain enthalpy, Electronegativity, Valency.
- Nomenclature of elements with atomic numbers > 100.
Unit 4: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure (7 Marks)
- Valence electrons, Ionic bond, Covalent bond, Bond parameters.
- Lewis structure, Polar character of covalent bonds, Covalent character of ionic bonds.
- Valence Bond Theory, Resonance.
- Geometry of covalent molecules, VSEPR theory.
- Concept of hybridization (s, p, d orbitals), Shapes of simple molecules.
- Molecular Orbital Theory (qualitative) for homonuclear diatomic molecules.
- Hydrogen bond.
Unit 5: Chemical Thermodynamics (9 Marks)
- Concepts: System, Types of systems, Surroundings, Work, Heat, Energy.
- Extensive and intensive properties, State functions.
- First Law: Internal energy, Enthalpy, Heat capacity, Specific heat, Measurement of ∆U and ∆H.
- Hess’s Law of constant heat summation.
- Enthalpy of bond dissociation, combustion, formation, atomization, sublimation, phase transition, ionization, solution, and dilution.
- Second Law (brief): Entropy as a state function, Gibbs energy change, Spontaneous and non-spontaneous processes, Criteria for equilibrium.
- Third Law (brief introduction).
Unit 6: Equilibrium (7 Marks)
- Equilibrium in physical and chemical processes, Dynamic nature of equilibrium.
- Law of mass action, Equilibrium constant.
- Factors affecting equilibrium: Le Chatelier’s Principle.
- Ionic equilibrium: Ionization of acids and bases, Strong and weak electrolytes, Degree of ionization, Ionization of polybasic acids, Acid strength, pH.
- Hydrolysis of salts (elementary), Buffer solutions, Henderson Equation.
- Solubility product, Common ion effect (with examples).
Unit 7: Redox Reactions (4 Marks)
- Concept of oxidation and reduction, Redox reactions.
- Oxidation number, Balancing redox reactions (electron loss/gain and oxidation number change).
- Applications of redox reactions.
Unit 8: Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques (11 Marks)
- General introduction, Methods of purification, Qualitative and quantitative analysis.
- Classification and IUPAC nomenclature of organic compounds.
- Electronic displacements: Inductive effect, Electromeric effect, Resonance, Hyperconjugation.
- Homolytic and heterolytic fission: Free radicals, Carbocations, Carbanions, Electrophiles, Nucleophiles.
- Types of organic reactions.
Unit 9: Hydrocarbons (10 Marks)
- Aliphatic Hydrocarbons:
- Alkanes: Nomenclature, Isomerism, Conformation (ethane only), Physical properties, Chemical reactions (free radical halogenation, combustion, pyrolysis).
- Alkenes: Nomenclature, Structure of double bond (ethene), Geometrical isomerism, Physical properties, Preparation methods, Chemical reactions (addition of H₂, halogens, water, hydrogen halides – Markovnikov’s rule and peroxide effect, ozonolysis, oxidation, electrophilic addition mechanism).
- Alkynes: Nomenclature, Structure of triple bond (ethyne), Physical properties, Preparation methods, Chemical reactions (acidic character, addition of H₂, halogens, hydrogen halides, water).
- Aromatic Hydrocarbons:
- Introduction, IUPAC nomenclature, Benzene (resonance, aromaticity).
- Chemical properties: Electrophilic substitution (nitration, sulphonation, halogenation, Friedel-Crafts alkylation/acylation).
- Directive influence of functional groups in monosubstituted benzene.
- Carcinogenicity and toxicity.
Additional Topics (Formative Assessment Only)
Note: These topics are included in the syllabus but assessed formatively to reinforce understanding without contributing to summative marks. They reduce academic stress while ensuring meaningful learning and align with existing chapters. Relevant NCERT material is provided for reference.
- s & p Block Elements:
- Electronic configuration, Atomic & Ionic radii, Ionization enthalpy, Hydration enthalpy.
- General trends in physical and chemical properties across periods and down groups.
- Unique behavior of the first element in each group.
- The Gaseous State:
- Qualitative treatment of gas laws.
- Ideal gas equation and deviations from it.
Prescribed Books
1. NCERT Textbooks
| Book Title | Link |
|---|---|
| Chemistry Part – I (Class XI) | https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php?kech1=0-6 |
| Chemistry Part – II (Class XI) | https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php?kech2=0-3 |
2. Laboratory Manual
| Book Title | Link |
|---|---|
| Manual of Microscale Chemistry Laboratory Kit | https://ncert.nic.in/division/dek/pdf/Manual_01.pdf |
Download CBSE Class 11 Chemistry Syllabus 2025-26 PDF
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