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CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26 With Marking Scheme

The CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26 outlines major world history themes, unit-wise marks, map work, and project assessment. Understanding the overview and marking scheme helps students plan studies strategically and score better.
authorImageAnanya Gupta16 Dec, 2025
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CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts examinations for Class 11 students. History is a vital subject, exploring past events and their global impact.

The CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus covers various historical periods and geographical regions. Understanding this syllabus is important for effective exam preparation. It helps students on important topics and expected learning outcomes.

The CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26 is structured into four broad sections—Early Societies, Empires, Changing Traditions, and Towards Modernisation. Each section covers specific themes drawn from different regions and historical timelines. This ensures balanced exposure to ancient, medieval, and modern world history. 

CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26

The CBSE Class 11 Syllabus provides a detailed framework for the academic year 2025-26. It outlines major themes, ensuring students gain a comprehensive understanding of world history. The Course Structure of CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26 includes four main sections, each with specific themes and assigned marks.

The syllabus helps students build important skills such as understanding timelines, reading historical sources, and thinking logically about past events. It also includes map work and project activities.

CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26 Marking Scheme

The CBSE Class 11 History marking scheme for 2025-26 is given here. The theory examination carries 80 marks, which include marks allocated to individual themes and 5 marks for map work, while 20 marks are reserved for project work, making the total assessment 100 marks.

CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26

Section Title

Theme No.

Theme Title

Marks

Reading of World History

 

Introduction of World History

 

EARLY SOCIETIES

 

Introduction Timeline I (6 MYA TO 1 BCE)

 
 

1

Writing and City Life

10

II EMPIRES

 

Introduction Timeline II (C. 100 BCE TO 1300 CE)

 
 

2

An Empire Across Three Continents

10

 

3

Nomadic Empires

10

III CHANGING TRADITIONS

 

Introduction Timeline III (C. 1300 TO 1700)

 
 

4

The Three orders

10

 

5

Changing Cultural Traditions

10

IV TOWARDS MODERNISATION

 

Introduction Timeline IV (C. 1700 TO 2000)

 
 

6

Displacing Indigenous Peoples

10

 

7

Paths to Modernisation

15

 

Map

Map work of the related Themes

05

   

Theory Total

80

   

Project work

20

   

TOTAL

100

CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus PDF Download

Students can download the CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26 PDF to access detailed topic breakdowns. This PDF helps identify key areas and sub-topics for focused study. It also includes the CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26 marking scheme and project guidelines. Downloading the syllabus ensures students follow the most current curriculum for effective preparation.

CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus PDF Download

Course Structure of CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26

This section provides in-depth information about the main topics and sub-topics for the CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26. Each theme covers significant historical developments and societies.

EARLY SOCIETIES Syllabus

This section explores the initial stages of human history.

  • Theme 1: Writing and City Life

  • Examines early cities like Ur and the importance of trade.

  • Focus: Iraq, 3rd millennium BCE

a. Growth of towns b. Nature of early urban societies c. Historians ‘Debate on uses of writing. 

EMPIRES Syllabus

This section investigates major empires that shaped the ancient and medieval worlds.

  • Theme 2: An Empire Across Three Continents

  • Explores the Roman Empire.

  • Covers its political organization, economy, culture, and decline.

  • Includes social divisions and the role of slavery.

  • Theme 3: Nomadic Empires

  • Studies the rise and impact of nomadic groups.

  • Focuses on the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan.

  • Examines their military strategies, administration, and cultural exchanges.

CHANGING TRADITIONS Syllabus

This section delves into periods of significant cultural and social transformation.

  • Theme 4: The Three Orders

  • The myriad aspects of feudalism with reference to first, second, third and fourth order of the society. 

  • Relate between ancient slavery and serfdom. 

  • Assess the 14th century crisis and rise of the nation states.

  • Theme 5: Changing Cultural Traditions

  • Focuses on the Renaissance and Reformation in Europe.

  • Covers intellectual and artistic movements.

  • Examines the impact of new ideas on society and religion.

TOWARDS MODERNISATION Syllabus

This section traces the path to modern global society.

  • Theme 6: Displacing Indigenous Peoples

  • Examines the impact of European expansion on native populations.

  • Focuses on North and South America.

  • Covers themes of colonization, displacement, and cultural loss.

  • Theme 7: Paths to Modernisation

  • Explores different routes to modernity in East Asia.

  • Focuses on China and Japan.

  • Covers their responses to Western influence and internal reforms.

CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26 FAQs

What are the main sections in the CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus?

The main sections are Early Societies, Empires, Changing Traditions, and Towards Modernisation.

What is the total mark distribution for the CBSE Class 11 History paper?

The total marks are 100, with 80 for theory and 20 for project work.

Does the CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus include map work?

Yes, map work related to the themes carries 5 marks in the theory paper.

How does project work help students in Class 11 History?

Project work helps students develop research skills, analytical thinking, and a global perspective.

Are there any changes in the CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus for 2025-26?

No modifications have been made to the History curriculum for the 2025-26 academic year.
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