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By Swati Singh
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Updated on 17 Jun 2026, 13:47 IST
CBSE has released the Class 11 syllabus for the 2026-27 session. This syllabus is for students who are starting Senior Secondary school. It lists the units, chapters, learning goals, practical work, projects and the marking scheme for Science, Commerce, Humanities, languages and other subjects.
Class 11 is a big step up from Class 10. The ideas you learn this year become the base for Class 12 board exams. They also help with entrance exams like JEE, NEET and CUET. In Class 10, you studied many subjects briefly. In Class 11, you study fewer subjects, but in much more depth. You will be asked to understand ideas, use them and solve new types of problems, not just remember facts.
This page explains how to download the CBSE Class 11 syllabus 2026-27 PDF. It also covers each stream, the Science syllabus chapter by chapter, Commerce and Humanities subjects, the English syllabus, the marking scheme and a simple plan to prepare well.
| Particular | Details |
| Board | Central Board of Secondary Education |
| Academic session | 2026–27 |
| Classes covered | Class XI and Class XII |
| Main subject groups | Languages, Humanities, Mathematics, Sciences, Commerce, Arts and skill subjects |
| Minimum subjects required | Five subjects |
| Optional extra subject | One more language or elective, if the school offers it |
| How students are assessed | Theory exams, practicals, internal assessment or projects, depending on the subject |
| Official source | CBSE Academic Curriculum 2026–27 portal |
| Recommended books | Latest NCERT textbooks for each subject |
Always download your syllabus from the official CBSE Academic website. Do not rely only on summaries from other websites. The official PDF for each subject gives you the exact topics, practical activities, project rules, books to read and the exam paper design.
Keep both the main curriculum file and the separate PDF for each of your subjects. Some subject PDFs mention topics that are only for classroom learning. These topics will not appear in your final exam, so always check this detail.
CBSE released the new Class 11 and Class 12 curriculum on April 1, 2026. This syllabus follows the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023. It focuses on competency-based learning, learning by doing, more flexibility in subject choice, and overall growth as a student, not just exam scores.
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| Sr. No. | CBSE Class 11 Subject Wise Syllabus |
| 1. | CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus |
| 2. | CBSE Class 11 Chemistry Syllabus |
| 3. | CBSE Class 11 Maths Syllabus |
| 4. | CBSE Class 11 Biology Syllabus |
| 5. | CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus |
The Science stream usually includes Physics and Chemistry, along with Mathematics, Biology, or both. English and one optional subject complete your full subject list.
For 2026–27, the official syllabus has 14 chapters in Physics, nine units in Chemistry, 19 chapters in Biology, and 14 main topics or chapters in Mathematics.
Physics has 70 marks for the theory exam and 30 marks for practical work. The course starts with measurement and motion, and then moves to properties of matter, heat, gas behaviour, and vibrations and waves.
| Unit | Chapters | Combined marks |
| Physical World and Measurement | Units and Measurements | 23 (with Units II and III) |
| Kinematics (study of motion) | Motion in a Straight Line; Motion in a Plane | — |
| Laws of Motion | Laws of Motion | — |
| Work, Energy and Power | Work, Energy and Power | 17 (with Units V and VI) |
| System of Particles and Rigid Body | System of Particles and Rotational Motion | — |
| Gravitation | Gravitation | — |
| Properties of Bulk Matter | Mechanical Properties of Solids; Mechanical Properties of Fluids; Thermal Properties of Matter | 20 (with Units VIII and IX) |
| Thermodynamics (study of heat and energy) | Thermodynamics | — |
| Kinetic Theory of Gases | Kinetic Theory | — |
| Oscillations and Waves | Oscillations; Waves | 10 |
| Total | 14 chapters | 70 |
Pay close attention to vectors, graphs, free-body diagrams, solving numerical problems, units, and how to work out and prove formulas. Mechanics (the part about motion and forces) takes up a large share of this subject. It becomes much easier once you practise with diagrams regularly, instead of trying to memorise formulas alone.
Chemistry has 70 marks for theory and 30 marks for practical work. The theory part has nine units.
| Unit | Marks |
| Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry | 7 |
| Structure of Atom | 9 |
| Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties | 6 |
| Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure | 7 |
| Chemical Thermodynamics | 9 |
| Equilibrium | 7 |
| Redox Reactions | 4 |
| Organic Chemistry: Some Basic Principles and Techniques | 11 |
| Hydrocarbons | 10 |
| Total | 70 |
This syllabus covers three connected parts of Chemistry. Physical Chemistry covers mole calculations, atomic structure, heat and energy changes, equilibrium and redox reactions. Inorganic Chemistry starts with periodicity (patterns in the periodic table) and chemical bonding. Organic Chemistry introduces how to name compounds, how electrons behave in reactions, basic reaction rules, purification methods and hydrocarbons (compounds made only of carbon and hydrogen).
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Keep separate revision habits for each part. Practise numerical problems for mole concept, thermodynamics and equilibrium. Practise drawing structures and understanding reactions for bonding and organic chemistry.
Biology has 70 marks for theory and 30 marks for practical work. The theory part has five units and 19 chapters.
| Unit | Chapters | Marks |
| Diversity of Living Organisms | The Living World; Biological Classification; Plant Kingdom; Animal Kingdom | 15 |
| Structural Organisation in Plants and Animals | Morphology of Flowering Plants; Anatomy of Flowering Plants; Structural Organisation in Animals | 10 |
| Cell: Structure and Function | Cell: The Unit of Life; Biomolecules; Cell Cycle and Cell Division | 15 |
| Plant Physiology | Photosynthesis in Higher Plants; Respiration in Plants; Plant Growth and Development | 12 |
| Human Physiology | Breathing and Exchange of Gases; Body Fluids and Circulation; Excretory Products and Their Elimination; Locomotion and Movement; Neural Control and Coordination; Chemical Coordination and Integration | 18 |
| Total | 19 chapters | 70 |
Biology needs more than just remembering terms. You should understand classifications, body processes, diagrams, comparisons, and how structure connects to function. Go through NCERT diagrams, tables and examples carefully. Exam questions often come directly from these.
Human Physiology carries the most marks. But do not skip the earlier units. Cell biology, biomolecules and plant physiology give you the basic ideas you will need again in later chapters and in competitive exams.
Mathematics has 80 marks for the written exam and 20 marks for internal assessment. CBSE has not given separate marks for each chapter, so you must study every chapter.
| Unit | Main chapters or topics | Marks |
| Sets and Functions | Sets; Relations and Functions; Trigonometric Functions | 23 |
| Algebra | Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations; Linear Inequalities; Permutations and Combinations; Binomial Theorem; Sequence and Series | 25 |
| Coordinate Geometry | Straight Lines; Conic Sections; Introduction to Three-Dimensional Geometry | 12 |
| Calculus | Limits and Derivatives | 8 |
| Statistics and Probability | Statistics; Probability | 12 |
| Total | 14 main chapters or topics | 80 |
Study Maths step by step, building on what you already know. First understand the definitions, standard results and the solved examples in NCERT. Then move to the exercises and mixed problems. Keep an error notebook where you write down calculation mistakes, missed conditions, or questions where you used the wrong method. This helps you avoid repeating the same mistakes.
The Commerce stream usually includes Accountancy, Business Studies and Economics, along with a language and one elective such as Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Entrepreneurship, Informatics Practices or Physical Education.
Accountancy has 80 marks for theory and 20 marks for project work.
| Part | Unit | Marks |
| Financial Accounting I | Theoretical Framework | 12 |
| Financial Accounting I | Accounting Process | 44 |
| Financial Accounting II | Financial Statements of Sole Proprietorship | 24 |
| Project Work | A prescribed project or practical task | 20 |
You will learn basic accounting terms, accounting rules, how to write journal entries, ledgers, cash books, bank reconciliation, trial balance, depreciation, provisions, correcting errors, and how to prepare financial statements.
The Accounting Process unit carries the most marks in theory. Practise full problems yourself instead of just reading worked-out solutions. Getting your working notes, narration (the short explanation under each entry) and formats correct matters a lot for scoring well.
Business Studies has an 80-mark theory exam and 20 marks for project work.
| Part | Main units |
| Foundations of Business | Nature and Purpose of Business; Forms of Business Organisations; Public, Private and Global Enterprises; Business Services; Emerging Modes of Business; Social Responsibility of Business and Business Ethics |
| Finance and Trade | Sources of Business Finance; Small Business; Internal Trade; International Business |
| Project Work | One project, completed following CBSE's guidelines |
Try to connect what you read in the textbook to real companies and current business news. Case-based questions may ask you to identify the type of business organisation, a business service, a source of finance, an ethical issue, or a trading concept shown in a given situation.
Economics has 80 marks for theory and 20 marks for project work.
| Part | Topics | Marks |
| Statistics for Economics | Introduction; Collection, Organisation and Presentation of Data; Statistical Tools and Interpretation | 40 |
| Introductory Microeconomics | Introduction; Consumer's Equilibrium and Demand; Producer Behaviour and Supply; Forms of Market and Price Determination | 40 |
| Project Work | An economic survey or a prescribed project | 20 |
Statistics for Economics needs both calculation skills and the ability to explain what a result actually means. Do not treat statistics as just formulas to plug numbers into. Microeconomics introduces demand, how much something is worth to a buyer (utility), production, cost, supply, how markets reach a balance point, and perfect competition.
Humanities allows many subject combinations. Depending on your school, you may study History, Political Science, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Legal Studies, Fine Arts, Mathematics, or other electives.
Class 11 History looks at major topics in world history. The theory exam carries 80 marks, and project work carries 20 marks.
The prescribed topics include Writing and City Life, An Empire Across Three Continents, Nomadic Empires, The Three Orders, Changing Cultural Traditions, Displacing Indigenous Peoples, and Paths to Modernisation. Map work is also part of the theory exam.
Focus on the order of events (chronology), causes and effects, comparing different events, reading historical evidence, working with maps, and explaining passages given in the exam.
Political Science is split into two books, each worth 40 marks.
Indian Constitution at Work covers the Constitution (why and how it was made), Rights in the Indian Constitution, Elections and Representation, the Executive, the Legislature, the Judiciary, Federalism, Local Governments, the Constitution as a Living Document, and the philosophy behind the Constitution.
Political Theory covers an introduction to political theory, along with Freedom, Equality, Social Justice, Rights, Citizenship, Nationalism and Secularism.
This subject rewards clear understanding and well-organised answers. Use the correct constitutional terms, and support your explanations with relevant real-world examples.
Class 11 Geography covers physical geography, India's physical environment, and practical work. Main topics include how the Earth was formed and its interior, landforms, climate, oceans, biodiversity, India's location, land features, rivers, climate, natural plant life, and natural disasters.
Practical Geography teaches you map skills, scale, latitude and longitude, map projections, reading topographical maps, and remote sensing (studying the Earth using satellite images). Practise map work regularly through the year. Do not leave it for the last minute.
Psychology has 70 marks for theory and 30 marks for practical work. Its eight units are Understanding Psychology, Methods of Enquiry in Psychology, Human Development, Sensory and Perceptual Processes, Learning, Human Memory, Thinking, and Motivation and Emotion.
Try to connect what you learn to everyday human behaviour, but avoid making assumptions that are not backed by evidence. Research methods, experiments, real-life examples and practical activities all matter for this subject.
Sociology has 80 marks for theory and 20 marks for project work. The syllabus introduces what sociology is and how it connects to other social sciences. It also covers sociological concepts, social institutions, culture, socialisation (how we learn to live in society), social change, social order, and important Western and Indian sociologists.
A strong Sociology answer first defines the concept clearly, then explains it using the right context, and finally adds a relevant example from society. Keep your personal opinions separate from sociological analysis.
English Core has an 80-mark written exam and 20 marks for internal assessment.
| Section | Marks |
| Reading Skills | 26 |
| Grammar and Creative Writing Skills | 23 |
| Literature and Supplementary Reading | 31 |
| Listening and Speaking Skills | 10 |
| Project Work | 10 |
| Grand Total | 100 |
The Hornbill textbook includes: The Portrait of a Lady; A Photograph; We're Not Afraid to Die… if We Can All Be Together; Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues; The Laburnum Top; The Voice of the Rain; Childhood; The Adventure; Silk Road; and Father to Son.
The Snapshots textbook includes: The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse; The Address; Mother's Day; Birth; and The Tale of Melon City.
While preparing English, balance three things: reading comprehension, writing formats, and literature. For literature answers, do not just retell the story. Answer the actual question asked, and support your answer using the right events, themes or character details from the chapter.
Class 11 annual exams are conducted by your own school, following the CBSE syllabus and marking structure. So there is no single, common Class 11 question paper set by CBSE for every school.
| Subject | Theory marks | Practical, project or internal assessment |
| English Core | 80 | 20 |
| Mathematics | 80 | 20 |
| Physics | 70 | 30 |
| Chemistry | 70 | 30 |
| Biology | 70 | 30 |
| Accountancy | 80 | 20 |
| Business Studies | 80 | 20 |
| Economics | 80 | 20 |
| History | 80 | 20 |
| Political Science | 80 | 20 |
| Geography | 70 | 30 |
| Psychology | 70 | 30 |
| Sociology | 80 | 20 |
The exact split between practical files, experiments, viva (oral questions), projects, listening and speaking tasks, lab records or class tests can vary. Always read the assessment section of your subject's PDF, and confirm the exact schedule with your school.
There is no single fixed percentage that applies to every subject in the same way. Each subject's official PDF gives a different question paper design and a different share of competency-based questions. Your school may also design its own papers within CBSE's rules.
Even so, you should still prepare for questions that test application, reasoning, reading and interpreting data, and analysis, since this is one of the main ideas behind the new curriculum.
Students will now be expected to show what you understand, not just what you remember. So your class work and exams may include real-life situations, data to read and interpret, experiments, projects, and questions that test reasoning.
This does not mean facts stop mattering. You still need to know definitions, formulas, dates and basic terms. But you must also be able to connect different ideas, compare them, read information carefully and use concepts in new, unfamiliar situations.
Your school may now use more activities, experiments, group work, projects, art, and technology in class. If you take Science, you may do more hands-on lab work. If you take Commerce or Humanities, you may study real business cases, economic data, maps or social topics, instead of only reading from the textbook.
CBSE allows you to pick subjects from approved groups: languages, academic electives and skill subjects. Most schools still group these into the familiar Science, Commerce and Humanities streams. But CBSE's actual rules allow more combinations than just these three streams.
The subjects you can actually choose still depend on your school's timetable, teachers, and admission rules. Some combinations are not allowed at all. For example, you cannot study both Mathematics and Applied Mathematics together. You can also choose only one subject out of Computer Science, Informatics Practices and Information Technology, not more than one.
Subjects like Health and Physical Education, Work Experience and General Studies are assessed internally by your school, not through a board exam. CBSE also wants students to build skills like communication, teamwork, creative thinking, digital skills, money management, mental wellbeing and good citizenship.
Do not assume that every subject has fewer topics this year. This is not true for all subjects. The right way to check is to open the 2026–27 PDF for your own subject. Some PDFs mark certain topics as "not for the exam" or "for classroom learning only." This differs from subject to subject, so always check your own subject's file.
CBSE asks every student to study at least five main subjects in Class 11, and to continue the same subjects in CBSE Class 12. You must choose either Hindi or English as one of your languages. You may also pick a sixth subject as an extra language or elective, if your school allows it.
Most schools offer these common combinations:
| Stream | Common subjects | Good for students interested in |
| PCM | English, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and one elective | Engineering, technology, architecture, maths and physical sciences |
| PCB | English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and one elective | Medicine, dentistry, biotechnology, pharmacy and life sciences |
| PCMB | English, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology | Students who want to keep both maths-based and biology-based options open |
| Commerce with Mathematics | English, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics and Mathematics or Applied Mathematics | Finance, economics, data analysis, management and commerce courses |
| Commerce without Mathematics | English, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics and one elective | Business, management, starting your own company, law and commerce |
| Humanities | English with subjects like History, Political Science, Geography, Psychology, Sociology or Economics | Law, public policy, government jobs, media, social sciences, design and arts |
Yes, this is sometimes possible under CBSE's rules, since CBSE allows electives across groups. For example, a school may let you study Economics with Mathematics and Psychology together, or Biology with Psychology. But you must check with your own school first, since not every school offers every combination.
Pick the stream that matches your interests, your strengths, how you like to learn, and the career path you may want. Look closely at what each subject actually teaches. Do not choose a stream only because your friends chose it, or because people say one stream is "better" than another.
If you enjoy solving numerical problems and like science, PCM may suit you. If you are interested in the human body and healthcare, PCB may feel more comfortable. If you like markets, money and how businesses run, Commerce may suit you. If you enjoy learning about society, people, politics, culture or human behaviour, Humanities may be a good fit.
Class 11 feels much easier when you study regularly from day one. If you keep postponing chapters and try to learn everything together before the exam, the sudden jump in difficulty can feel overwhelming.
Use the syllabus like a checklist. Mark each chapter as not started, in progress, completed, revised, or tested. Always treat the latest NCERT textbook as your main resource, since it decides exactly what topics, terms and order of learning CBSE expects.
Watching many video lectures or buying many books does not guarantee that you understand a topic. Instead, finish one good explanation, read the NCERT chapter, solve the questions given there, and test yourself before you move on to any extra resource.
After finishing a topic, close the book. Try to write down the main ideas, formulas, diagrams or arguments purely from memory. Go back to the same topic after one day, then after one week, then after one month. This method works much better than reading the same highlighted pages again and again.
Physics, Mathematics and Accountancy need a lot of written problem-solving practice. Biology needs diagrams, processes and exact terms. History and Political Science need well-organised, analytical answers. English needs timed reading and writing practice. Chemistry needs a mix of numerical work, understanding concepts, structures and reactions.
Do not leave lab records, files or projects for the last few weeks before the exam. Completing them alongside the related theory chapters helps you understand the topic better, and reduces stress closer to exam time.
| Stage | Main goal | What to do |
| Month 1 | Understand the syllabus and build basics | Download subject PDFs, set up notebooks, finish early chapters, and revise key Class 10 concepts |
| Month 2 | Build a regular study habit | Follow weekly chapter goals, finish NCERT examples, and make short revision notes |
| Month 3 | Finish the first major part of the syllabus | Take chapter tests, study your mistakes, and finish pending practical records |
| Month 4 | Cover harder or high-mark units | Practise more mixed problems, case-based questions, and longer written answers |
| Month 5 | First full revision | Revise every unit, attempt sample school papers, and find weak chapters |
| Month 6 | Final exam preparation | Attempt timed papers, review your mistakes, and revise formulas, diagrams, maps, formats and key ideas |
Plan your week with four parts: new learning, written practice, revision, and a short self-test. Keep some flexible time free for tough chapters, instead of filling every single day with the maximum possible workload.
Always treat the latest Class 11 NCERT textbooks listed in the official syllabus as your first and main resource for every subject. NCERT Exemplar problems are useful for Mathematics and Science, wherever they are available. For lab-based subjects, follow the practical manual closely.
You can use one extra reference book, but only after you have understood and finished the matching NCERT chapter. Stick to one resource suited to your level, instead of collecting several books that ask similar questions in different ways.
Helpful resources include chapter notes, solved examples, important questions, competency-based practice questions, school-style mock tests, revision worksheets and video explanations. Always check that any resource you use matches the official CBSE Class 11 syllabus 2026-27.
Treat the CBSE Class 11 syllabus 2026-27 as a map for your whole year, not a document you open only right before exams. It tells you exactly what you need to learn, how each subject will be assessed, and which practical work or projects you still need to finish.
Download the official PDF for each of your subjects. Break the chapters into realistic weekly goals. Revise consistently through the year. A strong Class 11 foundation will make Class 12, your board exams, and any entrance exam preparation much easier to handle.
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CBSE released the curriculum for Class XI and Class XII for the 2026–27 session on April 1, 2026. You can find subject PDFs on the CBSE Academic curriculum portal.
Open the CBSE Academic website, click on Curriculum 2026–27, and go to Secondary Curriculum Part II for Class XI–XII. Choose your subject from the language or academic elective section.
The subject content is the same everywhere, since it comes from the CBSE curriculum. But teaching schedules, test portions, exam dates and which subject combinations are offered can differ from school to school.
You must choose either Hindi or English within the allowed language rules. Most schools make English Core a part of all their standard stream combinations, but you should still confirm your school's exact policy.
Yes, this is sometimes allowed under CBSE's elective rules. But the final options depend on what your school offers and on CBSE's combination restrictions.
No. You cannot choose both Mathematics and Applied Mathematics together, since CBSE does not allow this combination.
No. You can choose only one subject out of Computer Science, Informatics Practices and Information Technology.
You must study at least five subjects. If your school allows it, you may take a sixth subject as an extra language or elective.
This depends on your school's rules, available seats, registration deadlines, and whether you can complete the work you missed. Talk to your school as early as possible if you want to change a subject.
No. Class 11 exams are usually held by your own school, following the CBSE syllabus and assessment rules. Unlike Class 12, Class 11 does not have a common national board exam.
Yes. A large part of JEE preparation is based on Class 11 Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Weak Class 11 basics can make Class 12 topics harder to understand later.
Yes. Class 11 Physics, Chemistry and Biology contribute a major share of the NEET syllabus. Build a strong conceptual understanding, and revise the NCERT Biology textbook closely.
NCERT books are your main and most important resource, and you should finish them thoroughly. You may need extra practice for numerical subjects, for competitive exam preparation, or depending on how tough your school's own exams are.
Promotion to Class 12 and the exact passing rules are decided by your own school, within the CBSE framework. Always check your school's promotion policy, especially the separate rules for theory, practical work and internal assessment.
Break the syllabus into monthly and weekly goals. Study from NCERT consistently. Revise chapters you have already finished. Take short tests regularly. Do not leave practical files or hard chapters for the very end of the session.