The CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus 2026–27 has been updated to focus on conceptual clarity, numerical problem-solving, and application-based learning. Students must begin preparation early by aligning with the latest syllabus.
Covering core areas such as mechanics, thermodynamics, and waves, the syllabus forms the foundation for Class 12 Physics and competitive exams. Understanding the updated topics, weightage, and deleted syllabus ensures efficient and targeted preparation.
The syllabus is divided into units that progressively build fundamental physics concepts. The theory paper carries 70 marks, supported by a 30-mark practical component.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Board |
CBSE |
|
Class |
11 |
|
Subject |
Physics |
|
Total Units |
10 |
|
Theory Marks |
70 |
|
Practical Marks |
30 |
|
Total Marks |
100 |
Understanding unit-wise weightage helps students prioritise high-scoring sections and allocate preparation time effectively. The syllabus consists of 10 units comprising 14 chapters in total. Students are advised to study high-weightage units while covering low-weightage scoring units.
|
Unit No. |
Unit Name |
Chapters Included |
Marks |
|
Unit I |
Physical World & Measurement |
Units and Measurements |
8 |
|
Unit II |
Kinematics |
Motion in a Straight Line, Motion in a Plane |
10 |
|
Unit III |
Laws of Motion |
Laws of Motion |
10 |
|
Unit IV |
Work, Energy & Power |
Work, Energy and Power |
8 |
|
Unit V |
Motion of System of Particles & Rigid Body |
System of Particles and Rotational Motion |
10 |
|
Unit VI |
Gravitation |
Gravitation |
6 |
|
Unit VII |
Properties of Bulk Matter |
Mechanical Properties of Solids, Fluids, Thermal Properties |
10 |
|
Unit VIII |
Thermodynamics |
Thermodynamics |
5 |
|
Unit IX |
Kinetic Theory |
Behaviour of Perfect Gases and Kinetic Theory |
5 |
|
Unit X |
Oscillations & Waves |
Oscillations, Waves |
8 |
|
Total |
— |
— |
70 |
The syllabus is designed to build a strong base in fundamental physics concepts through a mix of theory and numerical applications. The updated syllabus reflects a shift in emphasis toward application-based learning, numerical problem-solving, and conceptual clarity.
Chapter–1: Units and Measurements
Need for measurement: Units of measurement; systems of units; SI units, fundamental and derived units. significant figures, Determining the uncertainty in result. Dimensions of physical quantities, dimensional analysis, and its applications.
Chapter–2: Motion in a Straight Line
Frame of reference, Motion in a straight line, Elementary concepts of differentiation and integration for describing motion, uniform and non- uniform motion, average speed and average velocity and instantaneous velocity, uniformly accelerated motion, velocity - time and position-time graphs. Relations for uniformly accelerated motion (graphical and calculus treatment).
Chapter–3: Motion in a Plane
Scalar and vector quantities; position and displacement vectors, general vectors and their notations; equality of vectors, multiplication of vectors by a real number; addition and subtraction of vectors, Unit vector; resolution of a vector in a plane, rectangular components, Scalar and Vector product of vectors.
Motion in a plane, cases of uniform velocity and uniform acceleration- projectile motion, uniform circular motion
Chapter–4: Laws of Motion
Intuitive concept of force, Inertia, Newton's first law of motion; momentum and Newton's second law of motion; impulse; Newton's third law of motion. Law of conservation of linear momentum and its applications. Equilibrium of concurrent forces, Static and kinetic friction, laws of friction, rolling friction, lubrication. Dynamics of uniform circular motion: Centripetal force, examples of circular motion (vehicle on a level circular road, vehicle on a banked road).
Chapter– 5: Work, Energy and Power
Work done by a constant force and a variable force; kinetic energy, work- energy theorem, power. Notion of potential energy, potential energy of a spring, conservative forces: non-conservative forces, motion in a vertical circle; elastic and inelastic collisions in one and two dimensions
Chapter–6: System of Particles and Rotational Motion
Centre of mass of a two-particle system, momentum conservation and Centre of mass motion. Centre of mass of a rigid body; centre of mass of a uniform rod. Moment of a force, torque, angular momentum, law of conservation of angular momentum and its applications.
Equilibrium of rigid bodies, rigid body rotation and equations of rotational motion, comparison of linear and rotational motions. Moment of inertia, radius of gyration, values of moments of inertia for simple geometrical objects (no derivation).
Chapter – 7: Gravitation
Kepler's laws of planetary motion, universal law of gravitation. Acceleration due to gravity and its variation with altitude and depth. Gravitational potential energy and gravitational potential, escape speed, orbital velocity of a satellite, energy of an orbiting satellite.
Chapter–8: Mechanical Properties of Solids
Elasticity, Stress-strain relationship, Hooke's law, Young’s modulus, bulk modulus, shear modulus of rigidity (qualitative idea only), Poisson's ratio; elastic energy. Application of elastic behavior of materials (qualitative idea only)
Chapter–9: Mechanical Properties of Fluids
Pressure due to a fluid column; Pascal's law and its applications (hydraulic lift and hydraulic brakes), effect of gravity on fluid pressure. Viscosity, Stokes' law, terminal velocity, streamline and turbulent flow, critical velocity, Bernoulli's theorem and its simple applications (Torricelli's law and Dynamic lift).
Surface energy and surface tension, angle of contact, excess of pressure across a curved surface, application of surface tension ideas to drops, bubbles and capillary rise.
Chapter–10: Thermal Properties of Matter
Heat, temperature, thermal expansion; thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases, anomalous expansion of water; specific heat capacity; Cp, Cv - calorimetry; change of state - latent heat capacity. Heat transfer-conduction, convection and radiation, thermal conductivity, qualitative ideas of Blackbody radiation, Wein's displacement Law, Stefan's law.
Chapter–11: Thermodynamics
Thermal equilibrium and definition of temperature, zeroth law of thermodynamics, heat, work and internal energy. First law of thermodynamics, Second law of thermodynamics: Thermodynamic state variable and equation of state. Change of condition of gaseous state - isothermal, adiabatic, reversible, irreversible, and cyclic processes.
Chapter–12: Kinetic Theory
Equation of state of a perfect gas, work done in compressing a gas. Kinetic theory of gases - assumptions, concept of pressure. Kinetic interpretation of temperature; rms speed of gas molecules; degrees of freedom, law of equi-partition of energy (statement only) and application to specific heat capacities of gases; concept of mean free path, Avogadro's number.
Chapter–13: Oscillations
Periodic motion - time period, frequency, displacement as a function of time, periodic functions and their applications. Simple harmonic motion (S.H.M), uniform circular motion and its equations of motion; phase; oscillations of a loaded spring- restoring force and force constant; energy in S.H.M. Kinetic and potential energies; simple pendulum derivation of expression for its time period.
Chapter–14: Waves
Wave motion: Transverse and longitudinal waves, speed of travelling wave, displacement relation for a progressive wave, principle of superposition of waves, reflection of waves, standing waves in strings and organ pipes, fundamental mode and harmonics, Beats.
Accessing the official syllabus in PDF format helps students stay aligned with the latest CBSE guidelines and revise topics systematically without missing any updates. Keeping a printed or digital copy ensures quick reference during preparation and revision.
Students can download the CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus 2026–27 PDF from the following link:
Download Class 11 Physics Syllabus PDF
The practical component of the Syllabus of Physics Class 11 CBSE 2026-27 focuses on experiments, laboratory skills, activities, and record maintenance. Internal assessment includes periodic tests, practical records, activities, and viva-voce.
|
Topic |
Marks |
|
Two experiments (one from each section) |
7+7 |
|
Practical record (experiment and activities) |
5 |
|
One activity from any section |
3 |
|
Investigatory Project |
3 |
|
Viva on experiments, activities, and project |
5 |
|
Total |
30 |
As part of the revision, certain chapters, subtopics, and exercises from the NCERT textbook have been removed or trimmed. The deletions primarily target advanced derivations, extended applications, and less frequently assessed areas.
|
Chapter |
Deleted NCERT Topics |
|
Chapter 1: Physical World |
Entire chapter removed (1.1 to 1.5 – What is Physics, Scope, Technology & Society, Fundamental Forces, Nature of Laws) |
|
Chapter 2: Units & Measurements |
2.3 Measurement of Length, 2.4 Measurement of Mass, 2.5 Measurement of Time, 2.6 Accuracy & Precision, Errors in Measurement + related exercises |
|
Chapter 3: Motion in a Straight Line |
3.2 Position, Path Length & Displacement, 3.3 Average Velocity & Speed, 3.7 Relative Velocity + selected exercises & appendix |
|
Chapter 4: Motion in a Plane |
4.9 Relative Velocity in 2D + selected exercises |
|
Chapter 5: Laws of Motion |
Selected back exercises (numerical sets removed) |
|
Chapter 6: Work, Energy & Power |
6.10 Law of Conservation of Energy (detailed treatment + exercises) |
|
Chapter 7: System of Particles & Rotational Motion |
7.10 Parallel & Perpendicular Axis Theorems, 7.14 Rolling Motion + exercises |
|
Chapter 8: Gravitation |
8.11 Geostationary & Polar Satellites, 8.12 Weightlessness + exercises & appendix |
|
Chapter 9: Mechanical Properties of Solids |
9.2 Elastic Behaviour of Solids, Young’s Modulus experiment section + exercises |
|
Chapter 10: Mechanical Properties of Fluids |
Venturi meter, Blood flow, Detergents & surface tension applications + exercises |
|
Chapter 11: Thermal Properties of Matter |
Greenhouse Effect + selected exercises |
|
Chapter 12: Thermodynamics |
Heat Engines, Refrigerators & Heat Pumps + exercises |
|
Chapter 13: Kinetic Theory |
Specific heat capacity of water (advanced part) + exercises |
|
Chapter 14: Oscillations |
Damped SHM, Forced Oscillations, Resonance + exercises |
|
Chapter 15: Waves |
Doppler Effect + exercises |
Preparing for CBSE Class 11 Physics requires a balanced approach that combines conceptual understanding with consistent practice. As the subject forms the foundation for advanced topics in Class 12 and competitive exams, students should focus on building strong basics, especially in mechanics and thermodynamics.
With the revised syllabus emphasising application-based learning, a structured study plan, regular numerical practice, and thorough revision of NCERT concepts are essential for achieving strong performance in exams.
Focus on NCERT concepts and examples thoroughly
Prioritize high-weightage units like mechanics
Practice numericals daily to improve speed and accuracy
Revise formulas and key concepts regularly
Avoid deleted topics to save time
Solve previous year questions and mock tests
Strengthen basics for Class 12 and competitive exams