CBSE Class 12 · Informatics Practices

CBSE Class 12 Informatics Practices Board Exam Preparation

Python, Pandas, SQL, and Networks — the data-science-focused alternative to Computer Science

Complete chapter-wise preparation guide for CBSE Class 12 Informatics Practices board exam 2025-26. Covers Python with Pandas, Matplotlib, MySQL, Computer Networks, and Society & Ethics with marks distribution and strategy.

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Theory Marks

Practical Marks

3 hours

Exam Duration

Total Chapters

Chapter-Wise Marks Breakdown

70 theory marks

Chapter	Marks	Difficulty	Key Topics
Data Handling using Pandas	20	Medium	Series and DataFrame Creation · Data Import with read_csv() · Filtering, Selection — loc, iloc
Data Visualisation	10	Easy	Line Chart, Bar Chart, Histogram using Matplotlib · Pie Chart, Scatter Plot · Chart Customisation — labels, title, colour
Database Query using SQL	23	Medium	RDBMS concepts, Keys (Primary, Foreign, Candidate) · DDL: CREATE, ALTER, DROP · DML: SELECT with WHERE, GROUP BY, ORDER BY, HAVING
Introduction to Computer Networks	10	Medium	OSI Model — 7 Layers and Functions · TCP/IP Model · Network Devices (Hub, Switch, Router, Gateway)
Societal Impacts	7	Easy	Cybercrimes and Types · IT Act 2000 Key Provisions · Digital Footprint and Privacy

Topics That Appear Every Year

01Pandas — DataFrame creation, CSV import, filtering, groupby, missing values

02SQL — SELECT with WHERE, GROUP BY, HAVING, JOIN, aggregate functions

03Matplotlib — all chart types with axis labels and title customisation

04OSI model — 7 layers and function of each layer

05Network devices — hub vs switch vs router differences

06Cybercrime types and IT Act 2000 key provisions

Study Strategy for 90+

IP is data-science focused — Unit 1 (Pandas + Visualisation, 20 marks) and Unit 2 (SQL, 25 marks) together = 45/70 theory marks

SQL (25 marks) — practise SELECT with WHERE, GROUP BY, HAVING, ORDER BY, JOINs — write queries by hand

Pandas (20 marks) — know all key methods: read_csv, loc, iloc, groupby, fillna, dropna, describe, merge

Matplotlib — practise all 5 chart types with customisation (labels, title, color, figsize)

Networks (10 marks) — memorise OSI 7-layer model and functions; hub vs switch vs router is a guaranteed question

Societal Impacts (10 marks) — pure memory: IT Act provisions, cybercrime types, digital footprint, net neutrality

Practicals carry 30 marks — hands-on Pandas + SQL + Matplotlib skills directly translate to theory answers

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