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

CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2025-26

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) officially releases the annual syllabus to guide students preparing for their final examinations. The CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2025-26 is now available on the official website, www.cbseacademic.nic.in. As per the latest curriculum, the Physics syllabus comprises 9 units and 14 chapters, divided into a 70-mark theory paper and a 30-mark practical assessment. Science students should thoroughly review this syllabus to master key concepts outlined in NCERT textbooks. Understanding this curriculum is also vital for competitive exams, as questions for CUET, JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, and NEET are often derived directly from the core CBSE framework.

Physics Class 12 Syllabus 2025-26

The CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus for 2025-26 is structured into 9 comprehensive units and 14 chapters. Designed to provide a clear roadmap, this syllabus helps students identify high-weightage topics and prioritize their study schedule accordingly. With the 70-mark theory section clearly defined, students can systematically allocate time to specific chapters, ensuring a balanced and efficient preparation strategy that leads to superior exam performance.

Units	Chapters	Marks
Unit–I: Electrostatics	Chapter–1: Electric Charges and Fields	16
	Chapter–2: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
Unit-II: Current Electricity	Chapter–3: Current Electricity
Unit-III: Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism	Chapter–4: Moving Charges and Magnetism	17
	Chapter–5: Magnetism and Matter
Unit-IV: Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents	Chapter–6: Electromagnetic Induction
	Chapter–7: Alternating Current
Unit–V: Electromagnetic Waves	Chapter–8: Electromagnetic Waves	18
Unit–VI: Optics	Chapter–9: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
	Chapter–10: Wave Optics
Unit–VII: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter	Chapter–11: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter	12
Unit–VIII: Atoms and Nuclei	Chapter–12: Atoms
	Chapter–13: Nuclei
Unit–IX: Electronic Devices	Chapter–14: Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits	7
Total		70

CBSE 12th Physics Syllabus 2025-26 (Chapter-wise)

We have detailed the essential topics across all units to support your academic success. Mastery of the CBSE 12th Physics Syllabus 2025-26 is a critical milestone for Class 12 students, as it defines the scope of knowledge required to excel in board examinations. Review this page to gain full clarity on the CBSE Class 12 Syllabus 2025-26 for Physics.

Chapter 1 (Electric Charges and Fields)

1. Electric charges
2. Conservation of charge
3. Coulomb's law force between two-point charges
4. Forces between multiple charges; superposition principle and continuous charge distribution.
5. Electric field, electric field due to a point charge, electric field lines, electric dipole, electric field due to a dipole, torque on a dipole in a uniform electric field.
6. Electric flux
7. Statement of Gauss's theorem and its applications to find field due to infinitely long straight wire, uniformly charged infinite plane sheet and uniformly charged thin spherical shell (field inside and outside).

Chapter 2 (Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance)

1. Electric potential, potential difference, electric potential due to a point charge, a dipole and system of charges;
2. Equipotential surfaces, electrical potential energy of a system of two-point charges and of electric dipole in an electrostatic field.
3. Conductors and insulators, free charges and bound charges inside a conductor.
4. Dielectrics and electric polarization.
5. Capacitors and capacitance.
6. Combination of capacitors in series and in parallel.
7. Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with and without dielectric medium between the plates, energy stored in a capacitor (no derivation, formulae only).

Chapter 3 (Current Electricity)

1. Electric current, flow of electric charges in a metallic conductor,
2. Drift velocity, mobility and their relation with electric current
3. Ohm's law
4. V-I characteristics (linear and non-linear)
5. Electrical energy and power
6. Electrical resistivity and conductivity, temperature dependence of resistance.
7. Internal resistance of a cell, potential difference and emf of a cell, combination of cells in series and in parallel
8. Kirchhoff's rules
9. Wheatstone bridge.

Chapter 4 (Moving Charges and Magnetism)

1. Concept of magnetic field, Oersted's experiment
2. Biot - Savart law and its application to the current carrying circular loop.
3. Ampere's law and its applications to infinitely long straight wire.
4. Straight solenoid (only qualitative treatment), force on a moving charge in uniform magnetic and electric fields.
5. Force on a current-carrying conductor in a uniform magnetic field, the force between two parallel current-carrying conductors.
6. Definition of ampere, torque experienced by a current loop in a uniform magnetic field.
7. Current loop as a magnetic dipole and its magnetic dipole moment, moving coil galvanometer its current sensitivity and conversion to ammeter and voltmeter.

Chapter 5 (Magnetism and Matter)

1. Bar magnet, bar magnet as an equivalent solenoid (qualitative treatment only),
2. Magnetic field intensity due to a magnetic dipole (bar magnet) along its axis and perpendicular to its axis (qualitative treatment only),
3. Torque on a magnetic dipole (bar magnet) in a uniform magnetic field (qualitative treatment only),
4. Magnetic field lines.
5. Magnetic properties of materials- Para-, dia- and ferromagnetic substances with examples,
6. Magnetization of materials, effect of temperature on magnetic properties.

Chapter 6 (Electromagnetic Induction)

1. Electromagnetic induction
2. Faraday's laws, induced EMF and current
3. Lenz's Law
4. Self and mutual induction.

Chapter 7 (Alternating Current)

1. Alternating currents, peak and RMS value of alternating current/voltage;
2. Reactance and impedance
3. LCR series circuit (phasors only), resonance, power in AC circuits, power factor, watt less current.
4. AC generator
5. Transformer.

Chapter 8 (Electromagnetic Waves)

1. Basic idea of displacement current, Electromagnetic waves, their characteristics, their transverse nature (qualitative idea only).
2. Electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays) including elementary facts about their uses.

Chapter 9 (Ray Optics and Optical Instruments)

1. Ray Optics: Reflection of light, spherical mirrors, mirror formula, refraction of light, total internal reflection and 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 of light through a prism.
2. Optical instruments: Microscopes and astronomical telescopes (reflecting and refracting) and their magnifying powers.

Chapter 10 (Wave Optics)

1. Wave optics: Wave front and Huygens principle, reflection and refraction of plane wave at a plane surface using wave fronts.
2. Proof of laws of reflection and refraction using Huygens principle. Interference.
3. Young's double slit experiment and expression for fringe width (No derivation final expression only), coherent sources and sustained interference of light, diffraction due to a single slit, and width of central maxima (qualitative treatment only).

Chapter 11 (Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter)

1. Dual nature of radiation.
2. Photoelectric effect.
3. Hertz and Lenard's observations.
4. Einstein's photoelectric equation-particle nature of light.
5. Experimental study of photoelectric effect.
6. Matter waves-wave nature of particles, de-Broglie relation.

Chapter 12 (Atoms)

1. Alpha-particle scattering experiment.
2. Rutherford's model of atom.
3. Bohr model of hydrogen atom.
4. Expression for radius of nth possible orbit, velocity and energy of electron in his orbit, of hydrogen line spectra (qualitative treatment only).

Chapter 13 ( Nuclei)

1. Composition and size of nucleus, nuclear force Mass-energy relation, mass defect.
2. Binding energy per nucleon and its variation with mass number.
3. Nuclear fission.
4. Nuclear fusion.

Chapter 14 (Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits)

1. Energy bands in conductors
2. Semiconductors and insulators (qualitative ideas only)
3. Intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors- p and n type, p-n junction
4. Semiconductor diode - I-V characteristics in forward
5. Reverse bias application of junction diode -diode as a rectifier.

CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2025-26 PDF Download

The updated CBSE Class 12 Physics syllabus 2025-26 reflects recent curriculum revisions, including the addition, removal, or modification of specific topics. We have organized the syllabus into a user-friendly table to ensure you stay aligned with the latest requirements for the 2026 Board Exams. By focusing on the revised curriculum, you can avoid extraneous study material and focus on what truly matters. Download the latest Physics syllabus using the link provided below to begin your focused exam preparation.

Download CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2025-26 PDF Here

CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2025-26 for Practical

Class 12th Physics Practical Evaluation Scheme: The 30-mark practical component includes two experiments (one from each section), a comprehensive practical record, one activity, an investigative project, and a viva voce covering all experiments and activities. Detailed marks distribution for each segment is provided in the table below.

Class 12th Physics Practical Evaluation Scheme
Particulars	Marks
Two experiments one from each section	7+7 Marks
Practical record [experiments and activities]	5 Marks
One activity from any section	3 Marks
Investigatory Project	3 Marks
Viva on experiments and activities	5 Marks
Total	30 Marks

Section A 

S.No.	Experiments:
1.	To determine resistivity of two / three wires by plotting a graph for potential difference versus current.
2.	To find resistance of a given wire / standard resistor using meter bridge.
3.	To verify the laws of series combination of resistances using a meter bridge. OR To verify the laws of parallel combination of resistances using a meter bridge.
4.	To determine resistance of a galvanometer by half-deflection method and to find its figure of merit.
5.	To convert a given galvanometer (of known resistance and figure of merit) into a voltmeter of a desired range and to verify the result. OR To convert a given galvanometer (of known resistance and figure of merit) into an ammeter of a desired range and to verify the result.
6.	To find the frequency of AC mains with a sonometer.

S.No.	Activities:
1.	To measure the resistance and impedance of an inductor with or without iron core.
2.	To measure resistance, voltage (AC/DC), current (AC) and check continuity of a given circuit using multimeter.
3.	To assemble a household circuit comprising three bulbs, three (on/off) switches, a fuse and a power source.
4.	To assemble the components of a given electrical circuit.
5.	To study the variation in potential drop with length of a wire for a steady current.
6.	To draw the diagram of a given open circuit comprising at least a battery, resistor/rheostat, key, ammeter and voltmeter. Mark the components that are not connected in proper order and correct the circuit and also the circuit diagram.

SECTION-B

S.No.	Experiments
1.	To find the value of v for different values of u in case of a concave mirror and to find the focal length.
2.	To find the focal length of a convex mirror, using a convex lens.
3.	To find the focal length of a convex lens by plotting graphs between u and v or between 1/u and 1/v.
4.	To find the focal length of a concave lens, using a convex lens.
5.	To determine angle of minimum deviation for a given prism by plotting a graph between angle of incidence and angle of   deviation.
6.	To determine refractive index of a glass slab using a travelling microscope.
7.	To find the refractive index of a liquid using convex lens and plane mirror.
8.	To find the refractive index of a liquid using a concave mirror and a plane mirror.
9.	To draw the I-V characteristic curve for a p-n junction diode in forward and reverse bias.

S.No.	Activities
1.	To identify a diode, an LED, a resistor and a capacitor from a mixed collection of such items.
2.	Use of multimeter to see the unidirectional flow of current in case of a diode and an LED and check whether a given electronic component (e.g., diode) is in working order.
3.	To study effect of intensity of light (by varying distance of the source) on an LDR.
4.	To observe refraction and lateral deviation of a beam of light incident obliquely on a glass slab.
5.	To observe diffraction of light due to a thin slit.
6.	To study the nature and size of the image formed by a (i) convex lens, or (ii) concave mirror, on a screen by using a candle and a screen (for different distances of the candle from the lens/mirror).
7.	To obtain a lens combination with the specified focal length by using two lenses from the given set of lenses.

S.No.	Investigatory Projects
1.	To study various factors on which the internal resistance/EMF of a cell depends.
2.	To study the variations in current flowing in a circuit containing an LDR because of a variation in (a) the power of the incandescent lamp, used to 'illuminate' the LDR (keeping all the lamps at a fixed distance). (b) the distance of a incandescent lamp (of fixed power) used to 'illuminate' the LDR.
3.	To find the refractive indices of (a) water (b) oil (transparent) using a plane mirror, an equiconvex lens (made from a glass of known refractive index) and an adjustable object needle.
4.	To investigate the relation between the ratio of (i) output and input voltage and (ii) number of turns in the secondary coil and primary coil of a self-designed transformer.
5.	To investigate the dependence of the angle of deviation on the angle of incidence using a hollow prism filled one by one, with different transparent fluids.
6.	To estimate the charge induced on each one of the two identical Styrofoam (or pith) balls suspended in a vertical plane by making use of Coulomb's law.
7.	To study the factor on which the self-inductance of a coil depends by observing the effect of this coil, when put in series with a resistor/(bulb) in a circuit fed up by an A.C. source of adjustable frequency.
8.	To study the earth's magnetic field using a compass needle-bar magnet by plotting magnetic field lines and tangent galvanometer.

How to complete the CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2025-26?

To succeed, categorize chapters by difficulty and create a realistic monthly study plan. Complete initial readings unit-by-unit, seeking clarification from teachers or online resources when you encounter challenging concepts. Regular, periodic revision is key to retaining information. By repeating this cycle for all units, you ensure that your knowledge remains sharp for the final exam.

How to Develop an Interest in Class 12 Physics?

Many students find Physics intimidating, particularly when dealing with complex numericals and derivations. Implementing the right study habits can transform your learning experience and make the subject significantly more engaging and manageable.

1. Start with basics, yes you have heard it right. If you want to understand what is the gravitational force, first learn what is force.
2. Imagine and relate concepts with your daily life.
3. Understand derivation step by step, don’t mug up.
4. Start with easy numerical then gradually increase their level. If it is not working for you then thoroughly read the topic of that numerical and start practicing.
5. Last but not least, physics is all about concepts don’t try to mug up them, try to understand them. Practice questions as much as you can it will boost your confidence.

How to increase sitting to complete CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus

Building an effective study routine is a gradual process. Start by committing to short, focused sessions—for example, two hours split into four 30-minute blocks of deep work. As you grow comfortable, incrementally increase your daily study hours. Consistency is the secret to habit formation; by steadily increasing your focus time, you will find it easier to tackle the entire syllabus effectively.