CBSE Class 11 Fine Arts Syllabus 2026-27
If you are in Class 11 and planning to take Fine Arts, understanding what you need to study can be confusing. The syllabus differs across Painting, Graphics, Sculpture and Applied Art (Commercial Art), with separate theory topics and practical work for each subject.
Here, you can find the complete CBSE Class 11 Fine Arts syllabus 2026-27, covering the theory topics and practical requirements for all four subjects. Check the syllabus for your chosen subject to know what you need to prepare for your Class 11 exams.
CBSE Class 11 Fine Arts Syllabus 2026-27: Overview
Fine Arts at Class 11 is a 100-mark elective subject: 30 marks for theory and 70 marks for Practical. The table below gives you a quick snapshot before we go into detail.
|
Syllabus Component |
Topics Covered |
Marks |
|
Theory – Unit 1 |
Pre-Historic Rock Paintings; Indus/Sindhu-Saraswati Civilization; Buddhist, Jain and Hindu Art |
15 |
|
Theory – Unit 2 |
Temple Sculptures; Indian Bronzes; Indo-Islamic Architecture |
15 |
|
Painting Practical |
Nature and Object Study; Painting Composition; Portfolio Assessment |
70 |
|
Graphics Practical |
Relief Printing; Portfolio Assessment |
70 |
|
Sculpture Practical |
Modelling in Relief; Modelling in Round; Portfolio Assessment |
70 |
|
Applied Art Practical |
Drawing; Lettering and Layout; Portfolio Assessment |
70 |
CBSE Class 11 Fine Arts Theory Syllabus (Common to All Subjects)
The theory paper is called History of Indian Art and is worth 30 marks in a 2-hour exam. It's split into two units of 15 marks each.
Unit 1: Pre-Historic Rock Paintings, Indus Valley, and Early Indian Art
|
Topic |
What to Study |
|
Pre-Historic Rock Paintings |
Location and period of Bhimbetka; Wizard's Dance |
|
Indus Valley Civilization Sites |
Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Ropar, Lothal, Rangpur, Alamgirpur, Kalibangan, Banawali, Dholavira |
|
Bronzes & Terracotta |
Dancing Girl (Mohenjo-daro, bronze), Male Torso (Harappa, red limestone), Mother Goddess (terracotta) |
|
Seals & Pottery |
Bull Seal (Mohenjo-daro, steatite); painted earthen jar (Mohenjo-daro) |
|
Mauryan Period |
Lion Capital (Sarnath); Chauri Bearer (Didarganj Yakshi) |
|
Kushana Period |
Seated Buddha (Katra Mound, Mathura — Mathura style) |
|
Gupta Period |
Jain Tirthankara (State Museum, Lucknow) |
|
Ajanta Caves |
30 caves, 5th century CE; Chaitya and Vihara caves; Padmapani |
Unit 2: Temple Sculptures, Bronzes, and Indo-Islamic Architecture
|
Section |
What to Study |
|
Temple Sculpture (6th–13th c. CE) |
Descent of Ganga (Mahabalipuram, Pallava); Trimurti (Elephanta); Lakshmi-Narayana (Khajuraho, Chandela); Cymbal Player (Konark, Ganga dynasty); Mother and Child (Dilwara, Solanki) |
|
Indian Bronzes |
Casting methods (solid & hollow); Nataraja (Thanjavur, Chola period, 12th c. CE) |
|
Indo-Islamic Architecture |
Qutub Minar (Delhi); Gol Gumbad (Bijapur) |
Note: The theory syllabus above is exactly the same for Painting, Graphics, Sculpture, and Applied Art — you only need to study it once, regardless of which subject you choose.
CBSE Class 11 Painting Practical Syllabus (70 Marks)
The table below gives an overview of the CBSE Class 11 Painting Practical syllabus and its marking scheme:
|
Part |
Content |
Marks |
|
Part 1 |
Nature and Object Study (Observation Based) — 2–3 natural and geometric forms in pencil with light and shade from a fixed point of view |
25 |
|
Part 2 |
Painting Composition (Imagination Based) — drawing and colouring of human figures in a visual composition |
25 |
|
Part 3 |
Portfolio Assessment — year's record (10); 5 selected object-study exercises including 2 still-life (5); 1 painting composition (2); 2 selected paintings (3) |
20 |
CBSE Class 11 Graphics Practical Syllabus (70 Marks)
The table below gives an overview of the CBSE Class 11 Graphics Practical syllabus and its marking scheme:
|
Part |
Content |
Marks |
|
Part 1 |
Relief Printing — Linocut / Woodcut / Paper-cardboard print on a given subject; covers printing methods, inks, registration, and simple colour printing |
50 |
|
Part 2 |
Portfolio Assessment — year's record (10); 3 selected prints (6); 4 prints based on Indian Folk Art (4) |
20 |
CBSE Class 11 Sculpture Practical Syllabus (70 Marks)
The table below gives an overview of the CBSE Class 11 Sculpture Practical syllabus and its marking scheme. It covers relief and round modelling techniques, along with the portfolio work completed and assessed during the academic year.
|
Part |
Content |
Marks |
|
Part 1 |
Modelling in Relief (clay or plaster of Paris) — on given subjects from life and nature |
25 |
|
Part 2 |
Modelling in Round (clay or plaster of Paris) — handling of clay: pinching, coiling, rolling |
25 |
|
Part 3 |
Portfolio Assessment — year's record (8); 4 selected pieces (6); 3 pieces based on Indian Folk Art (6) |
20 |
CBSE Class 11 Applied Art (Commercial Art) Practical Syllabus (70 Marks)
The table below gives an overview of the CBSE Class 11 Applied Art (Commercial Art) Practical syllabus and its marking scheme. It highlights the key practical areas with the portfolio work assessed throughout the academic year:
|
Part |
Content |
Marks |
|
Part 1 |
Drawing — still-life and nature, in pencil, monochrome or colour |
25 |
|
Part 2 |
Lettering (Roman and Devanagari scripts, typefaces) and Layout (simple layout with lettering as the main component) |
25 |
|
Part 3 |
Portfolio Assessment — year's record (8); 4 selected drawings (6); 2 works in chosen subject (3); 2 works based on Indian Folk Art (3) |
20 |
CBSE Class 11 Fine Arts Exam Pattern 2026-27
The table below provides an overview of the CBSE Class 11 Fine Arts exam pattern for the 2026–27 academic session. It shows the duration and marks distribution for the Theory and Practical examinations, along with the overall marks for the subject.
|
Component |
Duration |
Marks |
|
Theory (History of Indian Art) |
2 hours |
30 |
|
Practical (all subjects) |
6 hours (3+3, with a break) |
70 |
|
Total |
100 |
The practical exam is conducted in a single 6-hour sitting, split into two 3-hour blocks with a break in between, and is evaluated on the spot by internal and external examiners together.
Which Fine Arts Subject Can You Choose in Class 11?
You choose only one of the four subjects for the year. The theory syllabus is identical across all of them — only the practical work and technique differ.
|
Subject |
Code |
What You Study (Practical) |
|
Painting |
049 |
Nature and Object Study, Painting Composition, Portfolio |
|
Graphics |
050 |
Relief Printing, Portfolio |
|
Sculpture |
051 |
Modelling in Relief, Modelling in Round, Portfolio |
|
Applied Art – Commercial Art |
052 |
Drawing, Lettering and Layout, Portfolio |
The CBSE Class 11 Fine Arts Syllabus 2026-27 gives you one common theory paper on the History of Indian Art, paired with a practical component that's shaped entirely by the subject you choose: Painting, Graphics, Sculpture, or Applied Art. Since practical work carries 70 of the 100 marks, it's worth building a steady studio habit through the year rather than leaving it for exam week, while keeping your theory revision focused on the periods, artworks, and sites listed above.
CBSE Class 11 Fine Arts Syllabus PDF
Students can download the CBSE Class 11 Fine Arts Syllabus PDF to check the complete syllabus, including the prescribed theory and practical topics for Painting, Graphics, Sculpture, and Applied Art–Commercial Art. The PDF provides the official syllabus details for the academic session 2026-27 and can be used as a reference while preparing for the subject.
Download CBSE Class 11 Fine Arts Syllabus PDF
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FAQs
Q1. How many subjects can a Class 11 student choose under Fine Arts?
Q2. Is the Class 11 Fine Arts theory syllabus the same for all four subjects?
Q3. How many marks are there for theory and practical in Class 11 Fine Arts?
Q4. What does the Class 11 Painting practical exam include?
Q5. What are the subject codes for Fine Arts in Class 11?
Q6. How long is the Class 11 Fine Arts practical exam?
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