Updated CBSE Class 12 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 12 Chemistry Syllabus 2025-26
The Class 12 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 | 12 |
| Session | 2025-26 |
| Subject | Chemistry |
| Content-Type | Syllabus/Curriculum |
| Official Website | https://cbseacademic.nic.in |
COURSE STRUCTURE – CLASS XII (THEORY)
Time: 3 Hours
Total Marks: 70
| S. No. | Title | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solutions | 7 |
| 2 | Electrochemistry | 9 |
| 3 | Chemical Kinetics | 7 |
| 4 | d- and f-Block Elements | 7 |
| 5 | Coordination Compounds | 7 |
| 6 | Haloalkanes and Haloarenes | 6 |
| 7 | Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers | 6 |
| 8 | Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids | 8 |
| 9 | Amines | 6 |
| 10 | Biomolecules | 7 |
| Total | 70 |
Unit-wise Syllabus Breakdown
Unit 1: Solutions (7 Marks)
- Types of solutions
- Expression of concentration of solutions (solids in liquids)
- Solubility of gases in liquids & solid solutions
- Raoult’s law
- Colligative properties:
- Relative lowering of vapor pressure
- Elevation of boiling point
- Depression of freezing point
- Osmotic pressure
- Determination of molecular masses using colligative properties
- Abnormal molecular mass & Van't Hoff factor
Unit 2: Electrochemistry (9 Marks)
- Redox reactions
- EMF of a cell, standard electrode potential
- Nernst equation & its applications
- Relation between Gibbs energy change & EMF
- Conductance in electrolytic solutions:
- Specific & molar conductivity
- Variation of conductivity with concentration
- Kohlrausch's Law
- Electrolysis & Faraday’s laws (elementary idea)
- Cells: Dry cell, Galvanic cell, lead accumulator, fuel cells
- Corrosion
Unit 3: Chemical Kinetics (7 Marks)
- Rate of reaction (Average & instantaneous)
- Factors affecting rate: Concentration, temperature, catalyst
- Order & molecularity of a reaction
- Rate law & specific rate constant
- Integrated rate equations & half-life (zero & first order only)
- Collision theory (qualitative)
- Activation energy & Arrhenius equation
Unit 4: d- and f-Block Elements (7 Marks)
Transition Metals (d-Block)
- General introduction, electronic configuration, occurrence
- Characteristics of transition metals:
- Metallic character, ionization enthalpy, variable oxidation states
- Ionic radii, colour, catalytic & magnetic properties
- Interstitial compounds & alloy formation
- Important Compounds:
- Preparation & properties of K₂Cr₂O₇ & KMnO₄
Lanthanides (f-Block)
- Electronic configuration, oxidation states, chemical reactivity
- Lanthanide contraction & its consequences
Actinides
- Electronic configuration, oxidation states
- Comparison with lanthanides
Unit 5: Coordination Compounds (7 Marks)
- Introduction: Ligands, coordination number, colour, magnetic properties, shapes
- IUPAC Nomenclature (mononuclear compounds)
- Bonding Theories:
- Werner’s theory
- Valence Bond Theory (VBT)
- Crystal Field Theory (CFT)
- Isomerism: Structural & stereoisomerism
- Applications:
- Qualitative analysis
- Metal extraction
- Biological systems (e.g., chlorophyll, hemoglobin)
Unit 6: Haloalkanes and Haloarenes (6 Marks)
Haloalkanes
- Nomenclature, nature of C–X bond
- Physical & chemical properties
- Mechanism of substitution reactions (SN₁, SN₂)
- Optical rotation (chirality)
Haloarenes
- Nature of C–X bond
- Substitution reactions (directive influence of halogen)
- Environmental Impact:
- Uses & hazards of dichloromethane, chloroform, CCl₄, iodoform, freons, DDT
Unit 7: Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers (6 Marks)
Alcohols
- Nomenclature, preparation methods
- Physical & chemical properties (primary alcohols focus)
- Identification tests (1°, 2°, 3° alcohols)
- Dehydration mechanism
- Uses of methanol & ethanol
Phenols
- Nomenclature, preparation methods
- Acidic nature, electrophilic substitution reactions (nitration, halogenation)
- Uses
Ethers
- Nomenclature, preparation methods
- Physical & chemical properties
- Uses
Unit 8: Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids (8 Marks)
Aldehydes & Ketones
- Nomenclature, carbonyl group nature
- Preparation methods
- Chemical properties:
- Nucleophilic addition mechanism
- Reactivity of α-hydrogen (aldol condensation)
- Uses
Carboxylic Acids
- Nomenclature, acidic nature
- Preparation methods
- Chemical properties (esterification, reduction)
- Uses
Unit 9: Amines (6 Marks)
- Nomenclature & classification (1°, 2°, 3°)
- Structure, preparation methods
- Physical & chemical properties
- Tests for amines (Hinsberg test, nitrous acid)
- Diazonium Salts:
- Preparation, reactions (Sandmeyer, coupling)
- Synthetic applications (azo dyes)
Unit 10: Biomolecules (7 Marks)
1. Carbohydrates
- Classification:
- Aldoses (e.g., glucose) & ketoses (e.g., fructose)
- Monosaccharides: Glucose & fructose (open chain & cyclic forms)
- Oligosaccharides: Sucrose, lactose, maltose
- Polysaccharides: Starch, cellulose, glycogen
- Biological importance (energy source, structural role)
2. Proteins
- Amino acids: Basic structure & classification
- Peptide bond formation & polypeptides
- Protein structure:
- Primary, secondary (α-helix, β-sheet), tertiary, quaternary (qualitative)
- Denaturation & its causes (heat, pH change)
- Enzymes: Biological catalysts (elementary idea)
3. Hormones
- Elementary idea (functions only, no structure)
4. Vitamins
- Classification: Fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) & water-soluble (B-complex, C)
- Functions & deficiency disorders
5. Nucleic Acids
- DNA & RNA: Structure & functions (brief)
Prescribed Books
- Chemistry Part – I, Class-XII – NCERT
- Chemistry Part – II, Class-XII – NCERT
- Manual of Microscale Chemistry Laboratory Kit
Question Paper Design (Class XII)
- No chapter-wise weightage, but all chapters must be covered.
- Internal choices: 33% in all sections.
- No overall choice in the paper.
Marks Distribution by Cognitive Domains
| S.No | Domain | Marks | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Remembering & Understanding | 28 | 40% |
| 2 | Applying | 21 | 30% |
| 3 | Analysing, Evaluating & Creating | 21 | 30% |
Key Focus:
- Section 1: Recall facts, terms, and basic concepts.
- Section 2: Apply knowledge to solve problems.
- Section 3: Analyze data, evaluate ideas, and propose solutions.
Download CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Syllabus 2025-26 PDF
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CBSE Class 12 Syllabus – All Subjects
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