
The CBSE Class 12 Chemistry syllabus 2026-27 has 10 theory units for the 2027 board exam. Chemistry carries 100 marks: 70 marks for the three-hour theory paper and 30 marks for the practical examination. The subject code is 043.
Electrochemistry has the highest unit weightage at 9 marks, followed by Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids at 8 marks. CBSE has not fixed separate chapter-wise marks beyond the official unit table, so all 10 summative units remain part of the board examination.
The theory syllabus covers physical, inorganic and organic chemistry. Solutions, Electrochemistry and Chemical Kinetics form the physical chemistry part. The inorganic part covers d- and f-Block Elements and Coordination Compounds. The remaining five units cover organic chemistry and Biomolecules.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Board exam year | 2027 |
| Academic session | 2026-27 |
| Subject code | 043 |
| Theory paper | 70 marks; 3 hours |
| Practical examination | 30 marks |
| Summative theory units | 10 |
The complete curriculum includes the unit-wise theory syllabus, practical experiments, project ideas, marks distribution, prescribed books and question paper design. Students can download the official Class 12 Chemistry syllabus PDF.
The 70 theory marks are divided among 10 units. Electrochemistry carries 9 marks, the highest weightage for a single unit. Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids carries 8 marks. The other units carry either 6 or 7 marks.
| Unit | Marks |
|---|---|
| Solutions | 7 |
| Electrochemistry | 9 |
| Chemical Kinetics | 7 |
| d- and f-Block Elements | 7 |
| Coordination Compounds | 7 |
| Haloalkanes and Haloarenes | 6 |
| Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers | 6 |
| Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids | 8 |
| Amines | 6 |
| Biomolecules | 7 |
| Total | 70 |
Solutions covers types of solutions, ways of expressing concentration, solubility, vapour pressure, ideal and non-ideal solutions, colligative properties, molar mass and abnormal molecular mass.
Electrochemistry includes electrochemical and galvanic cells, the Nernst equation, conductance of electrolytic solutions, electrolysis, batteries, fuel cells and corrosion. At 9 marks, it has the highest official unit weightage.
Chemical Kinetics covers reaction rate, factors affecting the rate, integrated rate equations, temperature dependence and collision theory.
d- and f-Block Elements includes electronic configuration, general properties of transition elements, important compounds, lanthanoids, actinoids and their applications.
Coordination Compounds covers Werner's theory, key terms, nomenclature, isomerism, bonding, metal carbonyls and the uses of coordination compounds.
Haloalkanes and Haloarenes covers classification, nomenclature, the C-X bond, preparation methods, physical properties, chemical reactions and polyhalogen compounds.
Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers includes classification, nomenclature, functional-group structures, properties and commercially important alcohols.
Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids covers nomenclature, carbonyl and carboxyl structures, preparation, physical properties, chemical reactions and uses.
Amines includes structure, classification, nomenclature, preparation, properties and reactions. It also covers diazonium salts and their use in making aromatic compounds.
Biomolecules covers carbohydrates, proteins, enzymes, vitamins, nucleic acids and hormones.
Four topics remain in the syllabus for classroom learning but are not included in the summative theory assessment. Calling them fully deleted can be misleading because schools may still teach and assess them during the year.
| Topic | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Surface Chemistry | Adsorption, colloids, coagulation and emulsions |
| Isolation of Elements | Concentration, oxidation, reduction, electrolytic method and refining |
| Polymers | Polymerisation, homopolymers and copolymers |
| Chemistry in Everyday Life | Medicines, food preservatives, sweeteners and antioxidants |
The practical examination carries 30 marks. Volumetric Analysis and Salt Analysis carry 8 marks each. A content-based experiment carries 6 marks, while Project Work and the class record with viva carry 4 marks each.
| Practical component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Volumetric Analysis | 8 |
| Salt Analysis | 8 |
| Content-Based Experiment | 6 |
| Project Work | 4 |
| Class record and viva | 4 |
| Total | 30 |
The practical syllabus includes experiments from Surface Chemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Thermochemistry, Electrochemistry and Chromatography. It also covers the preparation of inorganic and organic compounds, functional-group tests, food tests, titration and qualitative salt analysis.
Suggested projects include testing food adulterants, studying casein in milk, extracting essential oils, comparing fermentation rates and studying oxalate ions in guava. A different investigatory project may be taken with the teacher's approval if it involves about 10 periods of work.
CBSE divides the theory paper into three learning levels. Remembering and Understanding carries 28 marks. Applying carries 21 marks, and Analysing, Evaluating and Creating carries another 21 marks.
| Learning level | Marks | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Remembering and Understanding | 28 | 40% |
| Applying | 21 | 30% |
| Analysing, Evaluating and Creating | 21 | 30% |
There is no overall choice in the paper. Internal choice is available in 33% of the questions across all sections. CBSE also allows different paper templates, which is why students should not treat a fixed chapter-question count from one sample paper as a rule for the board exam. The broader Class 12 exam pattern page explains the common paper structure.
The prescribed books are NCERT Chemistry Part I and Chemistry Part II for Class 12, along with the NCERT Manual of Microscale Chemistry Laboratory Kit. The Class 12 books page contains the current textbook details.
Students can also use the Class 12 subject-wise syllabus and 2026 question papers for the rest of the board-exam material.
The 70-mark theory syllabus has 10 summative units. Four other topics are included only for formative assessment.
Electrochemistry carries 9 marks, the highest official weightage for one unit.
Surface Chemistry is included for formative assessment but is not part of the summative theory assessment. It also appears in the practical syllabus.
Chemistry carries 100 marks: 70 marks for theory and 30 marks for the practical examination.
CBSE gives unit-wise marks but does not guarantee a fixed chapter-wise question count. All 10 summative units should be covered.
Yes. The question paper has 33% internal choice across all sections, but there is no overall choice.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.