Updated CBSE Class 11 Geography 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 Geography Syllabus 2025-26
The Class 11 CBSE syllabus for Geography plays a crucial role in board exams and competitive exams like CUET. 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 | Geography |
| Content-Type | Syllabus/Curriculum |
| Official Website | https://cbseacademic.nic.in |
Class XI Geography (2025-26) - Course Structure
Total Marks: 100
(Theory: 70 | Practical: 30)
Book 1: Fundamentals of Physical Geography
Total Marks: 35
| Unit | Chapter Name | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| I | Geography as a Discipline | |
| 1 | Geography as a Discipline | 3 |
| II | The Earth | |
| 2 | The Origin and Evolution of the Earth | 9 |
| 3 | Interior of the Earth | |
| 4 | Distribution of Oceans and Continents | |
| III | Landforms | |
| 5 | Geomorphic Processes | 6 |
| 6 | Landforms and their Evolution | |
| IV | Climate | |
| 7 | Composition and Structure of Atmosphere | 8 |
| 8 | Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature | |
| 9 | Atmospheric Circulations and Weather Systems | |
| 10 | Water in the Atmosphere | |
| 11 | World Climate and Climate Change (Internal Assessment) | - |
| V | Water (Oceans) | |
| 12 | Water (Oceans) | 4 |
| 13 | Movements of Ocean Water | |
| VI | Life on the Earth | |
| 14 | Biodiversity and Conservation (Internal Assessment) | - |
| Map Work | 5 | |
| Total | 35 |
Book 2: India - Physical Environment
Total Marks: 35
| Unit | Chapter Name | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| I | Introduction | |
| 1 | India - Location | 5 |
| II | Physiography | |
| 2 | Structure and Physiography | 13 |
| 3 | Drainage System | |
| III | Climate, Vegetation and Soil | |
| 4 | Climate | 12 |
| 5 | Natural Vegetation | |
| IV | Natural Hazards and Disasters | |
| 6 | Natural Hazards and Disasters (Internal Assessment) | - |
| Map Work | 5 | |
| Total | 35 |
Book-Geography Practical Part I
Total Marks: 30
| Chapter No. | Chapter Name | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Maps | 3 |
| 2 | Map Scale | 4 |
| 3 | Latitude, Longitude and Time | 4 |
| 4 | Map Projections | 4 |
| 5 | Topographical Maps | 4 |
| 6 | Introduction to Remote Sensing | 6 |
| Practical File and Viva | 5 | |
| Total | 30 |
COURSE CONTENT: CLASS XI GEOGRAPHY (2025-26)
- Books:
- Fundamentals of Physical Geography
- India - Physical Environment
- Geography Practical Part I
- Components: Theory, Practical Work, Map Work
- Note: Chapters 11 (World Climate and Climate Change), 14 (Biodiversity and Conservation), and 6 (Natural Hazards and Disasters) are tested through internal assessments (projects/presentations).
Book 1: Fundamentals of Physical Geography
Unit 1: Geography as a Discipline
- Chapter 1: Geography as a Discipline
- Introduction to Geography as a discipline.
- Geography as an integrating discipline: Spatial and temporal synthesis.
- Approaches: Systematic and Regional.
- Branches: Physical Geography, Human Geography, Biogeography.
- Importance of Physical Geography.
Unit 2: The Earth
- Chapter 2: The Origin and Evolution of the Earth
- Origin and evolution of the Earth.
- Early theories (e.g., nebular hypothesis).
- Modern theories: Origin of the universe (Big Bang).
- Formation of stars and planets.
- Evolution: Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere.
- Origin of life.
- Chapter 3: Interior of the Earth
- Sources of information: Direct (e.g., mining) and Indirect (e.g., seismic waves).
- Earthquakes: Waves, Shadow zones, Types, Scales (e.g., Richter), Effects, Frequency.
- Structure: Crust, Mantle, Core.
- Volcanoes and volcanic landforms.
- Chapter 4: Distribution of Oceans and Continents
- Continental Drift Theory: Evidence, Forces.
- Post-Drift Studies.
- Ocean Floor Configuration.
- Distribution of Earthquakes and Volcanoes.
- Seafloor Spreading Concept.
- Plate Tectonics: Types of boundaries, Rates, Forces.
- Movement of the Indian Plate.
Unit 3: Landforms
- Chapter 5: Geomorphic Processes
- Processes: Endogenic (Diastrophism, Volcanism), Exogenic (Weathering, Landslides).
- Soil: Formation processes and factors.
- Chapter 6: Landforms and Their Evolution
- Running Water: Erosional (e.g., valleys) and Depositional (e.g., deltas) landforms.
- Wind: Erosional (e.g., yardangs) and Depositional (e.g., dunes) landforms.
Unit 4: Climate
- Chapter 7: Composition and Structure of Atmosphere
- Composition and structure; Elements of weather and climate.
- Chapter 8: Solar Radiation, Heat Balance, and Temperature
- Solar Radiation: Variability of insolation.
- Heating/Cooling Processes: Conduction, Convection, Radiation.
- Terrestrial Radiation, Heat Budget.
- Temperature: Controlling factors, Horizontal distribution, Inversion.
- Chapter 9: Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems
- Atmospheric Pressure: Horizontal/Vertical variation.
- Wind: Forces (e.g., Coriolis), General circulation (Pressure belts, Planetary/Seasonal/Local winds).
- Air Masses, Fronts, Cyclones (Tropical, Extratropical), Thunderstorms, Tornadoes.
- Chapter 10: Water in the Atmosphere
- Humidity: Absolute, Relative.
- Evaporation, Condensation: Dew, Frost, Fog, Mist, Clouds.
- Precipitation: Types of rainfall, World distribution.
- Chapter 11: World Climate and Climate Change
- Note: Tested through internal assessments (project/presentation).
Unit 5: Water (Oceans)
- Chapter 12: Water (Oceans)
- Hydrological Cycle.
- Ocean Floor: Major/Minor relief features.
- Temperature and Salinity: Factors, Horizontal/Vertical distribution.
- Chapter 13: Movements of Ocean Water
- Waves, Tides, Currents.
Unit 6: Life on the Earth
- Chapter 14: Biodiversity and Conservation
- Note: Tested through internal assessments (project/presentation).
Book 2: India - Physical Environment
Unit 1: Introduction
- Chapter 1: India — Location
- Size, Latitudinal/Longitudinal extent, Indian Standard Time, Neighbours.
Unit 2: Physiography
- Chapter 2: Structure and Physiography
- Physiographic Divisions: Northern/North-eastern Mountains, Northern Plain, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains, Islands.
- Chapter 3: Drainage System
- Drainage Patterns.
- Concepts: River Basin, Catchment Area, Watershed.
- River Systems: Himalayan, Peninsular.
- Usability: River linking, Problems (e.g., pollution).
Unit 3: Climate, Vegetation, and Soil
- Chapter 4: Climate
- Weather vs. Climate, Monsoon Unity/Diversity.
- Factors determining climate, Monsoon characteristics.
- Seasons, Rainfall distribution, Economic impact, Global Warming.
- Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation
- Types and distribution: Evergreen, Deciduous, Thorn, Montane, Littoral/Swamp.
- Conservation: Forests, Wildlife, Biosphere Reserves.
Unit 4: Hazards and Disasters
- Chapter 6: Natural Hazards and Disasters
- Note: Tested through internal assessments (project/presentation).
Book 3: Geography Practical Part I
- Chapter 1: Introduction to Maps
- Essentials, History, Types, Uses.
- Chapter 2: Map Scale
- Methods, Construction, Conversion.
- Chapter 3: Latitude, Longitude, and Time
- Parallels, Meridians, Longitude-Time relationship, International Date Line.
- Chapter 4: Map Projections
- Typology, Construction, Properties: Conical (one standard parallel), Mercator’s (only these two).
- Chapter 5: Topographical Maps
- Study (1:50,000 or 1:25,000 Survey of India maps): Symbols, Contours, Cross-sections, Landforms (slopes, hills, valleys, etc.), Settlement distribution.
- Chapter 6: Introduction to Remote Sensing
- Satellite imagery, Stages (data acquisition, platforms, sensors), Data products (photographic, digital).
Map Work
Book: Fundamentals of Physical Geography
(Locating and labelling on outline political world map; use maps from the official Government of India website)
- Chapter 4: Distribution of Oceans and Continents
- Continents, Major Oceans (Indian, Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, Southern), Major/Minor Lithospheric Plates, Ring of Fire, Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
- Chapter 9: Atmospheric Circulations and Weather Systems
- Major Hot Deserts: Mojave (US), Patagonian (Argentina), Sahara (Africa), Gobi (Asia), Thar (India), Great Victoria (Australia).
- Chapter 12: Water (Oceans)
- Major Seas: Black, Baltic, Caspian, Mediterranean, North, Red.
- Bay of Fundy (Canada): Highest tides.
- Chapter 13: Movements of Ocean Water
- Ocean Currents: Cold (Humboldt, California, Falkland, Canaries, West Australian, Oyashio, Labrador), Warm (Alaska, Brazilian, Agulhas, Kuroshio, Gulf Stream).
- Chapter 14: Biodiversity and Conservation
- Ecological Hotspots: Eastern Himalaya (India), Western Ghats (India), Indonesia, Eastern Madagascar (Africa), Upper Guinean Forests (Africa), Atlantic Forest (Brazil), Tropical Andes.
Book: India - Physical Environment
(Locating and labelling on outline political map of India; use maps from the official Government of India website)
- Chapter 1: India - Location
- Latitudinal/Longitudinal extent, Standard Meridian, Tropic of Cancer, Southernmost Point (Kanyakumari).
- Chapter 2: Structure and Physiography
- Mountains: Karakoram, Garo-Khasi-Jaintia, Aravalli, Vindhyan, Satpura, Western/Eastern Ghats.
- Peaks: K2, Kanchenjunga, Nanda Devi, Nanga Parvat, Namcha Barwa, Anaimudi.
- Passes: Shipkila, Nathula, Palghat, Bhor Ghat, Thal Ghat.
- Plateaus: Malwa, Chhotanagpur, Meghalaya, Deccan.
- Coastal Plains: Saurashtra, Konkan, North/South Kanara, Malabar, Coromandel, Northern Circars.
- Islands: Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep.
- Chapter 3: Drainage System
- Rivers: Brahmaputra, Indus, Satluj, Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Damodar, Mahanadi, Krishna, Kaveri, Godavari, Narmada, Tapti, Luni.
- Lakes: Wular, Sambhar, Chilika, Kolleru, Pulicat, Vembanad.
- Straits/Bays/Gulfs: Palk Strait, Rann of Kachchh, Gulf of Kachchh, Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Khambhat.
- Chapter 4: Climate
- Areas: Highest Temperature, Lowest Temperature, Highest Rainfall, Lowest Rainfall.
- Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation
- Forest Types: Tropical Evergreen, Deciduous, Thorn, Montane, Littoral/Swamp.
- Wildlife Reserves:
- National Parks: Corbett, Kaziranga, Ranthambore, Shivpuri, Simlipal.
- Bird Sanctuaries: Keoladeo Ghana, Ranganathitto.
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Periyar, Rajaji, Mudumalai, Dachigam.
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