Updated CBSE Class 12 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 12 Geography Syllabus 2025-26
The Class 12 CBSE syllabus for Geography 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 | Geography |
| Content-Type | Syllabus/Curriculum |
| Official Website | https://cbseacademic.nic.in |
CLASS XII GEOGRAPHY – COURSE STRUCTURE (2022-23)
Total Marks: 100 (Theory 70 + Practical 30)
BOOK 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (35 Marks)
| Unit | Chapter No. | Chapter Name | Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 1 | Human Geography: Nature and Scope | 3 | • Definitions, branches, interdisciplinary links |
| II | 2 | The World Population: Distribution, Density, and Growth | 8 | • Demographic transition model, migration patterns |
| 3 | Human Development | 5 | • HDI, gender inequality, international comparisons | |
| III | 4 | Primary Activities | 6 | • Agriculture, mining, fishing, forestry |
| 5 | Secondary Activities | 5 | • Manufacturing, industrial regions | |
| 6 | Tertiary and Quaternary Activities | 4 | • Services, IT, knowledge economy | |
| 7 | Transport, Communication, and Trade | 4 | • Networks, globalization impacts | |
| IV | 8 | International Trade | 5 | • WTO, trade blocs, India’s trade |
| V | – | Map Work (World Political Map) | 5 | • Identification of features (e.g., trade routes, population hotspots) |
| Total | 35 |
BOOK 2: INDIA: PEOPLE AND ECONOMY (35 Marks)
| Unit | Chapter No. | Chapter Name | Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 1 | Population: Distribution, Density, Growth, and Composition | 5 | • Census data, demographic challenges |
| II | 2 | Human Settlements | 3 | • Rural vs. urban, smart cities |
| III | 3 | Land Resources and Agriculture | 10 | • Cropping patterns, land reforms |
| 4 | Water Resources | 5 | • Dams, water scarcity, conservation | |
| 5 | Mineral and Energy Resources | 5 | • Distribution, sustainable use | |
| 6 | Planning and Sustainable Development | 5 | • NITI Aayog, SDGs | |
| IV | 7 | Transport and Communication | 5 | • Highways, railways, digital India |
| 8 | International Trade | 2 | • EXIM policy, major ports | |
| V | 9 | Geographical Issues | 5 | • Urban slums, pollution, floods |
| – | Map Work (India Political Map) | 5 | • Locating resources, cities, industrial hubs | |
| Total | 35 |
GEOGRAPHY PRACTICAL (30 Marks)
| Chapter No. | Chapter Name | Marks | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Data Sources and Compilation | 5 | • Census, surveys, sampling techniques |
| 2 | Data Processing | 5 | • Tabulation, measures of central tendency |
| 3 | Graphical Representation | 8 | • Pie charts, scatter plots, flow maps |
| 4 | Spatial Information Technology | 7 | • GIS, remote sensing basics |
| – | Practical Record + Viva | 5 | • Fieldwork, project submissions |
| Total | 30 |
COURSE CONTENT - CLASS XII
Book: Fundamentals of Human Geography
Unit 1
Chapter 1: Human Geography: Nature and Scope
Topics to be Focused:
- Introduction to Human Geography
- Approaches to Study Human Geography
- Regional and Systematic Geography
- Dualism
- Nature of Human Geography
- Naturalisation of Humans and Humanisation of Nature
- Schools of Thought in Human Geography
- Fields and Subfields of Human Geography
Unit 2
Chapter 2: The World Population Distribution, Density, and Growth
Topics to be Focused:
- Population Distribution and Density
- Factors Influencing the Distribution of Population
- Population Growth
- Components of Population Change
- Demographic Transition
- Population Control Measures
Chapter 3: Human Development
Topics to be Focused:
- Human Development: Concept and Selected Indicators
- Growth and Development
- The Four Pillars of Human Development
- Approaches to Human Development
- Measuring Human Development:
- Human Development Index (HDI)
- Human Poverty Index (HPI)
- Gross National Happiness (GNH)
- International Comparisons
Unit 3
Chapter 4: Primary Activities
Topics to be Focused:
- Concept and Types:
- Hunting and Gathering
- Pastoralism: Nomadic Herding, Commercial Livestock Rearing
- Types of Agriculture:
- Primitive Subsistence
- Intensive Subsistence
- Commercial Agriculture:
- Plantation Agriculture
- Extensive Commercial Grain Cultivation
- Mixed Farming
- Dairy Farming
- Mediterranean Agriculture
- Market Gardening and Horticulture
- Cooperative Farming
- Collective Farming
- Mining:
- Factors Affecting Mining
- Methods of Mining
Chapter 5: Secondary Activities
Topics to be Focused:
- Manufacturing: Characteristics of Modern Large-Scale Manufacturing
- Factors Influencing Industrial Location
- Classification of Manufacturing Industries:
- Based on Size
- Inputs/Raw Materials
- Output/Products
- Ownership
- Concept of High-Tech Industry
Chapter 6: Tertiary Activities
Topics to be Focused:
- Tertiary Activities: Concept and Types
- Trade and Commerce: Retail and Wholesale Trading
- Transport: Factors Affecting Transport
- Communication
- Services
- People Engaged in Tertiary Activities
- Tourism:
- Major Tourist Regions
- Tourist Attractions (Examples from Selected Countries)
- Medical Services for Overseas Patients in India
- Quaternary and Quinary Activities: Concept
- The Digital Divide
Chapter 7: Transport and Communication
Topics to be Focused:
- Transport
- Modes of Transportation:
- Land Transport:
- Roadways, Highways, Road Density, Border Roads
- Railways:
- Trans-Continental Railways:
- Trans-Siberian
- Trans-Canadian
- Australian Trans-Continental
- Trans-Continental Railways:
- Water Transport:
- Important Sea Routes
- Shipping Canals
- Inland Waterways
- Air Transport:
- Inter-Continental Air Routes
- Pipelines
- Land Transport:
- Communications:
- Satellite Communications
- Cyberspace: Internet
Chapter 8: International Trade
Topics to be Focused:
- History of International Trade
- Why Does International Trade Exist?
- Basis of International Trade
- Balance of Trade
- Types of International Trade:
- Bilateral Trade
- Multi-Lateral Trade
- Case for Free Trade
- Concept of Dumping
- World Trade Organisation (WTO)
- Regional Trade Blocs
- Concerns Related to International Trade
- Gateways of International Trade: Ports
- Types of Ports
Book: India: People and Economy
Unit 1
Chapter 1: Population Distribution, Density, Growth, and Composition
Topics to be Focused:
- Distribution of Population
- Density of Population
- Growth of Population
- Four Distinct Phases of Population Growth
- Regional Variation in Population Growth
- Population Composition:
- Rural-Urban Composition
- Linguistic Composition
- Religious Composition
- Composition of Working Population
- Promoting Gender Sensitivity through the ‘Beti Bachao–Beti Padhao’ Social Campaign
Unit 2
Chapter 2: Human Settlements
Topics to be Focused:
- Rural Settlements: Types and Distribution
- Urban Settlements: Types and Distribution
- Evolution of Towns in India
- Urbanisation in India
- Functional Classification of Towns
- Smart Cities Mission
Unit 3
Chapter 3: Land Resources and Agriculture
Topics to be Focused:
- Land Resources: General Land Use
- Land Use Categories
- Land-Use Changes in India
- Common Property Resources
- Agricultural Land Use in India
- Cropping Seasons in India
- Types of Farming
- Geographical Conditions and Distribution of Major Crops:
- Wheat
- Rice
- Tea
- Coffee
- Cotton
- Jute
- Sugarcane
- Rubber
- Agricultural Development in India
- Growth of Agricultural Output and Technology
- Problems of Indian Agriculture
Chapter 4: Water Resources
Topics to be Focused:
- Water Resources: Surface Water and Groundwater Resources
- Lagoons and Backwaters
- Water Demand and Utilisation:
- Irrigation
- Domestic
- Industrial
- Other Uses
- Emerging Water Problems: Deterioration of Water Quality
- Water Conservation and Management:
- Prevention of Water Pollution
- Rainwater Harvesting
- Watershed Management
Chapter 5: Mineral and Energy Resources
Topics to be Focused:
- Mineral Resources: Introduction and Types
- Major Mineral Belts of India
- Distribution of Minerals:
- Ferrous Minerals: Iron Ore, Manganese
- Non-Ferrous Minerals: Bauxite, Copper
- Non-Metallic Minerals: Mica
- Energy Resources:
- Conventional Sources: Coal, Petroleum, Natural Gas
- Non-Conventional Sources: Nuclear, Solar, Wind, Tidal and Wave, Geothermal, Bioenergy
- Conservation of Mineral Resources
Chapter 6: Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context
Topics to be Focused:
- Planning: Introduction
- Target Area Planning:
- Hill Area Development Programme
- Drought Prone Area Programme
- Concept of Sustainable Development
- Case Studies:
- Integrated Tribal Development Project in Bharmaur Region
- Indira Gandhi Canal (Nahar) Command Area
Unit 4
Chapter 7: Transport and Communication
Topics to be Focused:
- Means of Transport:
- Land: Road Transport, Rail Transport, Oil and Gas Pipelines
- Water Transport: Inland Waterways, Oceanic Routes
- Air Transport
- Communication Networks:
- Personal Communication Systems
- Mass Communication Systems
Chapter 8: International Trade
Topics to be Focused:
- Changing Pattern of the Composition of India’s Exports and Imports
- Direction of Trade
- Sea Ports as Gateways of International Trade
- Major Seaports of India Along with Their Hinterlands
- Airports
Unit 5
Chapter 9: Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems
Topics to be Focused:
- Environmental Pollution: Introduction and Types
- Urban-Waste Disposal
- Rural-Urban Migration: Case Study
- Problems of Slums
- Land Degradation: Case Study
Book: Geography Practical Part II
Chapter 1: Data – Its Source and Compilation
Topics to be Focused:
- What is Data?
- Sources of Data:
- Primary Sources
- Secondary Sources
- Unpublished Sources
- Tabulation and Classification of Data
- Grouping of Data
- Frequency Polygon
Chapter 2: Data Processing
Topics to be Focused:
- Tabulating and Processing of Data
- Measures of Central Tendency:
- Mean
- Median
- Mode
- Comparison of Mean, Median, and Mode
Chapter 3: Graphical Representation of Data
Topics to be Focused:
- Representation of Data:
- General Rules for Drawing Diagrams, Graphs, and Maps
- Construction of:
- Line Graphs
- Polygraphs
- Simple Bar Diagrams
- Line and Bar Diagrams
- Multiple Bar Diagrams
- Compound Bar Diagrams
- Pie Diagrams
- Flowcharts
- Thematic Maps:
- Construction of:
- Dot Maps
- Choropleth Maps
- Isopleth Maps
- Construction of:
Chapter 4: Spatial Information Technology
Topics to be Focused:
- Introduction to GIS (Geographic Information System)
- Advantages of GIS
- Components of GIS
- Spatial Data Formats
- Sequence of GIS Activities:
- Spatial Data Input
- Entering Attribute Data
- Data Linkages and Matching
- Spatial Analysis:
- Overlay Analysis Operation
- Buffer Operation
Map Work – Class XII Geography
Book: Fundamentals of Human Geography
(Identification of features on a World Outline Map)
| Chapter | Map Items to Identify |
|---|---|
| Chapter 4: Primary Activities | - Areas of subsistence gathering (Fig 4.2) - Major areas of nomadic herding (Fig 4.4) - Major areas of commercial livestock rearing (Fig 4.6) - Major areas of extensive commercial grain farming (Fig 4.12) - Major areas of mixed farming (Fig 4.14) |
| Chapter 7: Transport, Communication & Trade | Terminal Stations of Transcontinental Railways: - Trans-Siberian Railway - Trans-Canadian Railway - Trans-Australian Railway Major Sea Ports: - Europe: North Cape, London, Hamburg - North America: Vancouver, San Francisco, New Orleans - South America: Rio de Janeiro, Colon, Valparaiso - Africa: Suez, Cape Town - Asia: Yokohama, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Aden, Karachi, Kolkata - Australia: Perth, Sydney, Melbourne Major Airports: - Asia: Tokyo, Beijing, Mumbai, Jeddah, Aden - Africa: Johannesburg, Nairobi - Europe: Moscow, London, Paris, Berlin, Rome - North America: Chicago, New Orleans, Mexico City - South America: Buenos Aires, Santiago - Australia: Darwin, Wellington Inland Waterways: - Suez Canal - Panama Canal - Rhine Waterway - St. Lawrence Seaway |
(Note: Use the official Govt. of India website maps for reference.)
Book: India: People and Economy
(Locating & Labelling on an Outline Map of India)
| Chapter | Map Items to Identify |
|---|---|
| Chapter 1: Population | - State with highest population density (2011) - State with lowest population density (2011) |
| Chapter 3: Land Resources & Agriculture | Leading producing states of: - Rice - Wheat - Cotton - Jute - Sugarcane - Tea - Coffee |
| Chapter 5: Mineral & Energy Resources | Mines: - Iron-ore: Mayurbhanj, Bailadila, Ratnagiri, Bellary - Manganese: Balaghat, Shimoga - Copper: Hazaribagh, Singhbhum, Khetri - Bauxite: Katni, Bilaspur, Koraput - Coal: Jharia, Bokaro, Raniganj, Neyveli - Oil Refineries: Mathura, Jamnagar, Barauni |
| Chapter 8: International Trade | Major Sea Ports: - Kandla, Mumbai, Marmagao, Kochi, Mangalore, Tuticorin, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Paradip, Haldia International Airports: - Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi, Amritsar, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad |
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