The CBSE Class 11 History syllabus for 2026-27 is organised around major themes in world history. The course includes four sections and seven themes. The theory paper carries 80 marks. Project work carries 20 marks. Thus, the total assessment is for 100 marks.
The CBSE Class 11 History Marking Scheme 2026-27 includes marks for themes, map work, and project work. The question paper design also specifies different question formats. These include MCQs, short-answer questions, long-answer questions, and source-based questions.
Students can use the marking scheme to understand how the 80-mark theory paper is divided. They can also understand the role of project work in the final 100-mark assessment.
The CBSE Class 11 History Marks Distribution 2026-27 is divided across seven themes and map work. The theory paper carries 80 marks. Project work carries another 20 marks.
The marks assigned to the seven themes are given below:
|
Section |
Theme |
Marks |
|
I - Early Societies |
Writing and City Life |
10 |
|
II - Empires |
An Empire Across Three Continents |
10 |
|
II - Empires |
Nomadic Empires |
10 |
|
III - Changing Traditions |
The Three Orders |
10 |
|
III - Changing Traditions |
Changing Cultural Traditions |
10 |
|
IV - Towards Modernisation |
Displacing Indigenous Peoples |
10 |
|
IV - Towards Modernisation |
Paths to Modernisation |
15 |
|
Map Work |
Map work related to the themes |
5 |
|
Theory Total |
80 |
|
|
Project Work |
20 |
|
|
Total |
100 |
The theme-wise marks show that most themes carry 10 marks. Paths to Modernisation carries 15 marks. Map work carries 5 marks. The syllabus assigns 20 marks to project work.
The CBSE Class 11 History Weightage 2026-27 is divided across four sections, seven themes, and map work. The theory paper carries 80 marks, while project work carries 20 marks.
|
Section |
Themes |
Marks |
|
I - Early Societies |
Writing and City Life |
10 |
|
II - Empires |
An Empire Across Three Continents; Nomadic Empires |
20 |
|
III - Changing Traditions |
The Three Orders; Changing Cultural Traditions |
20 |
|
IV - Towards Modernisation |
Displacing Indigenous Peoples; Paths to Modernisation |
25 |
|
Map Work |
Map work related to the themes |
5 |
|
Theory Total |
80 |
|
|
Project Work |
20 |
|
|
Total |
100 |
The section-wise distribution is also reflected in the question paper design. Section I carries 10 marks, while Sections II and III carry 20 marks each. Section IV carries 25 marks. Map work carries 5 marks.
The CBSE Class 11 History Exam Pattern 2026-27 includes different types of questions. The question paper design lists MCQs, short-answer questions, long-answer questions, source-based questions, and map work.
The theory paper has a total of 80 marks. The question paper design provides the following distribution:
|
Question Type |
Number of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
MCQ |
21 |
1 |
21 |
|
Short Answer |
6 |
3 |
18 |
|
Long Answer |
8 |
3 |
24 |
|
Source Based |
4 |
3 |
12 |
|
Map |
1 |
5 |
5 |
|
Total |
80 |
The question paper design shows 21 marks from MCQs. Short-answer questions account for 18 marks. Long-answer questions account for 24 marks. Source-based questions account for 12 marks. Map work carries 5 marks. Together, these components make up the 80-mark theory paper.
The Class 11 History Question Types mentioned in the question paper design include the following:
MCQs: Each question carries 1 mark. There are 21 marks for MCQs.
Short-Answer Questions: Each question carries 3 marks. There are 6 questions. The total is 18 marks.
Long-Answer Questions: Each question carries 3 marks. There are 8 questions. The total is 24 marks.
Source-Based Questions: Each question carries 3 marks. There are 4 questions. The total is 12 marks.
Map Work: Map work carries 5 marks.
Together, these question types make up the 80-mark theory paper.
The Class 11 History Internal Assessment Marks include 20 marks for project work. The CBSE Class 11 History syllabus states that project work is an important part of History for Class XI. It gives students an opportunity to gather information, study sources, analyse information, and understand how history is constructed.
For Class XI, the project is evaluated internally. The project report should be handwritten. Students can work individually or in groups. The teacher is expected to guide students during the project process. The project work is planned across the academic session.
The syllabus gives a detailed distribution of the 20 project marks:
|
Period |
Project Stage |
Marks |
|
April-July |
Initiation, synopsis, topic selection, objectives, research question, literature review, evidence, methodology and data |
6 |
|
August-October |
Planning, organisation and data collection |
5 |
|
November-January |
Content or data analysis, interpretation, conclusion, limitations, bibliography, annexures and presentation |
5 |
|
January-February |
Final assessment and viva |
4 |
|
Total |
20 |
The project assessment is divided into different stages. The first stage carries 6 marks. The second and third stages carry 5 marks each. The final assessment and viva carry 4 marks. The total is 20 marks.
The project also includes a viva. The questions should be based on the research work or project file. The internal examiner should ensure that the submitted work is original.
The CBSE Class 11 History Marking Scheme 2026-27 gives the following section-wise distribution for the theory paper.
|
Section |
Themes |
Marks |
|
I - Early Societies |
Theme 1 |
10 |
|
II - Empires |
Themes 2 and 3 |
20 |
|
III - Changing Traditions |
Themes 4 and 5 |
20 |
|
IV - Towards Modernisation |
Themes 6 and 7 |
25 |
|
Map Work |
Related themes |
5 |
|
Theory |
80 |
|
|
Project Work |
20 |
|
|
Total |
100 |
|
The section-wise question paper design follows the same distribution. Section I has 10 marks. Sections II and III have 20 marks each. Section IV has 25 marks. Map work carries 5 marks.
The syllabus covers world history through four broad sections. Early Societies covers Writing and City Life. Empires covers the Roman Empire and Nomadic Empires. Changing Traditions covers The Three Orders and Changing Cultural Traditions. Towards Modernisation covers Displacing Indigenous Peoples and Paths to Modernisation.
The CBSE Class 11 History Marking Scheme 2026-27 includes project work as part of the 100-mark assessment. The syllabus states that one project is to be completed throughout the session.
The project work is assessed through different stages during the academic year. The project assessment structure is given below:
|
Project Component |
Details |
Marks |
|
Synopsis/Initiation |
Introduction, statement of purpose, objectives, hypothesis or research question, review of literature, evidence, methodology and questionnaire/data |
6 |
|
Data Collection |
Planning and organisation, action plan, feasibility or baseline study, updating the action plan, and data collection |
5 |
|
Data Analysis and Interpretation |
Content or data analysis, interpretation, conclusion, limitations, bibliography, annexures and overall presentation |
5 |
|
Final Assessment and Viva |
Final assessment and viva based on the project |
4 |
|
Total |
20 |
The project work has four broad phases: synopsis or initiation, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, and conclusion. The 20 marks are distributed across these stages.
Students can include a title or topic, objectives, hypothesis or research question, content, analysis, conclusion, and bibliography in the project. The content may include timelines, maps, mind maps, and pictures.
The CBSE Class 11 History Marking Scheme 2026-27 can be summarised through the following points:
The theory paper carries 80 marks.
Project work carries 20 marks.
The total assessment is for 100 marks.
There are four sections in the Class XI course.
Seven themes are included in the course structure.
Paths to Modernisation carries 15 marks.
Map work carries 5 marks.
MCQs account for 21 marks.
Short-answer questions account for 18 marks.
Long-answer questions account for 24 marks.
Source-based questions account for 12 marks.
Project work is assessed internally in Class XI.
Students can use this structure to understand the marks assigned to different parts of the subject. The CBSE Class 11 Arts syllabus of History provides the theme-wise marks, question paper design, map work marks, and project assessment structure. These details can help students organise their preparation according to the prescribed assessment pattern.
Explore the CBSE Class 11 Arts 2026 to access essential resources for CBSE Arts exam preparation, including detailed insights and strategies. Dive into the CBSE Arts 2026 for structured courses and focused study plans designed to help aspirants in their exams.