CBSE Class 12 History Syllabus 2025-26
Official chapter-wise syllabus for CBSE Class 12 History — unit-wise marks distribution, list of deleted/reduced topics, and the 2025-26 exam paper pattern. Use this page alongside the Class 12 History preparation guide for full exam readiness.
2025-26
Academic Year
80
Theory Marks
20
Practical Marks
15
Total Chapters
Unit-Wise Marks Distribution
80 marks (theory)Part A: Themes in Indian History — I (Ancient India)
Theme 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones · Theme 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns · Theme 3: Kinship, Caste and Class · Theme 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings
31% of theory marks
Part B: Themes in Indian History — II (Medieval India)
Theme 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers · Theme 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions · Theme 7: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara · Theme 8: Peasants, Zamindars and the State · Theme 9: Kings and Chronicles
31% of theory marks
Part C: Themes in Indian History — III (Modern India)
Theme 10: Colonialism and the Countryside · Theme 11: Rebels and the Raj · Theme 12: Colonial Cities · Theme 13: Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement · Theme 14: Understanding Partition · Theme 15: Framing the Constitution
31% of theory marks
Map Work
Map-based questions from all three parts
6% of theory marks
Chapter-Wise Syllabus
15 chapters| # | Chapter | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Theme 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones (Harappan Civilisation) | 6 |
| 2 | Theme 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns (600 BCE – 600 CE) | 5 |
| 3 | Theme 3: Kinship, Caste and Class (600 BCE – 600 CE) | 6 |
| 4 | Theme 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings (600 BCE – 600 CE) | 8 |
| 5 | Theme 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers (10th–17th century) | 5 |
| 6 | Theme 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions (8th–18th century) | 5 |
| 7 | Theme 7: An Imperial Capital — Vijayanagara | 5 |
| 8 | Theme 8: Peasants, Zamindars and the State (Mughal Period) | 5 |
| 9 | Theme 9: Kings and Chronicles (Mughal Courts) | 5 |
| 10 | Theme 10: Colonialism and the Countryside | 5 |
| 11 | Theme 11: Rebels and the Raj (1857 Revolt) | 5 |
| 12 | Theme 12: Colonial Cities (Urbanisation in 18th–20th c.) | 4 |
| 13 | Theme 13: Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement | 8 |
| 14 | Theme 14: Understanding Partition | 4 |
| 15 | Theme 15: Framing the Constitution | 4 |
Deleted / Reduced Topics 2025-26
Note: The following topics have been deleted or reduced from the CBSE Class 12 History syllabus. Do not spend time studying these for the 2025-26 board exam. Always verify with the official CBSE syllabus document before your exam.
Theme 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers
Detailed biographical accounts of individual travellers — only their observations and methodology tested
Theme 8: Peasants, Zamindars and the State
Detailed quantitative analysis from Ain-i-Akbari — only qualitative interpretation required
Theme 12: Colonial Cities
Comparative urban morphology across multiple cities — focus reduced to Presidency cities only
Historiography
Meta-historical discussions on methods of historians removed — practical source analysis retained
Exam Paper Pattern 2025-26
88 marks total| Section | Marks/Q | Count | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | 1 | 20 | 20 | |
| Section B | 3 | 9 | 27 | |
| Section C | 8 | 3 | 24 | |
| Section D | 4 | 3 | 12 | |
| Section E | 5 | 1 | 5 | |
| Total Theory Marks | 88 | |||
Practical / Internal Assessment Marks — assessed throughout the year by your school (projects, lab work, notebooks).
How to Use This Syllabus
Prioritise by marks
Use the unit-wise distribution above. Focus first on units with 20+ marks — they give the best return on study time.
Skip deleted topics
CBSE will not ask deleted topics in the board exam. Don't waste time on them — use that time for NCERT exercises instead.
Know the paper pattern
Section E (Case Study) has new-format questions many students ignore. Practise these separately — they're easy marks.
You know the syllabus. Now practise it.
ClearSteps gives you chapter-wise mock tests aligned to the exact CBSE Class 12 History syllabus, with AI evaluation against the official marking scheme.