
History syllabus class 12 CBSE 2025-26: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts the Class 12 examinations. History is a core subject, offering insights into India's past.
The CBSE Class 12 syllabus History is crucial for structured study. It covers major historical periods and developments. A thorough understanding of this syllabus is vital for effective exam preparation.
The Class 12 History syllabus focuses on detailed studies of themes in ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history. It also emphasises understanding historical sources.
| No | Part | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Themes in Indian History Part–I | 25 |
| 2 | Themes in Indian History Part–II | 25 |
| 3 | Themes in Indian History Part–III | 25 |
| 4 | Map | 05 |
| TOTAL | 80 |
This section provides in-depth information regarding the topics and sub-topics for each part of the History syllabus.
Including Map work of the related Themes: 5 Marks
Theory Total: 80 Marks
Project Work: 20 Marks
Total: 100 Marks
Part I covers ancient Indian history, focusing on early civilizations and societal structures.
| Themes in Indian History Part I Syllabus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sr No. | Theme Title | Learning Outcome |
| 1 | Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilisation | Investigate early urban centers and social institutions. State multilateral aspects of Harappan civilization. Interpret historical viewpoints on Harappa. |
| 2 | Kings, Farmers and Towns: Early States and Economies (c.600 BCE - 600 CE) | Evaluate major trends in political and economic history. Decode inscriptional evidence. Analyze inscriptions shaping political and economic understanding. |
| 3 | Kinship, Caste and Class: Early Societies (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE) | Examine social history issues. Analyze social norms from ancient Indian scriptures. Understand dynamic approach of Mahabharata through varied dimensions explored by historians. |
| 4 | Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings: Cultural Developments (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE) | Infer major religious developments in early India. Elucidate rich religious sculpture and its stories. Create a picture album of Buddhist Sculpture. |
Part II focuses on medieval Indian history, including social perceptions, religious movements, and imperial structures.
| Themes in Indian History Part-II Syllabus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sr No. | Theme Title | Learning Outcome |
| 5 | Through the Eyes of Travellers: Perceptions of Society (c. tenth to seventeenth centuries) | Understand salient features of social histories from travelers' accounts. Elucidate foreign travelers' accounts to understand medieval social, political, and economic life. |
| 6 | Bhakti-Sufi Traditions: Changes in Religious Beliefs and Devotional Texts (c. eighth to eighteenth centuries) | Understand religious developments. Summarize philosophies of Bhakti and Sufi saints. Comprehend religious movements for unity and brotherhood. |
| 7 | An Imperial Capital – Vijayanagar (c. fourteenth to sixteenth centuries) | Classify distinctive architectural contributions of Vijayanagar. Analyze foreign travelers' accounts on Vijayanagar. Assess city planning, water management, and administration. |
| 8 | Peasants, Zamindars and the States: Agrarian Society and the Mughal Empire (c. sixteenth-seventeenth centuries) | Comprehend agrarian developments during the Mughal period. Compare and contrast agrarian changes. Differentiate agrarian sectors through a table. |
Part III covers modern Indian history, exploring colonialism, revolts, and the nation-building process.
| Themes in Indian History Part-III Syllabus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sr No. | Theme Title | Learning Outcome |
| 9 | Colonialism and The Countryside: Exploring Official Archives | Evaluate British revenue systems. Analyze colonial official records and reports. Find solutions for peasant and artisan protection. |
| 10 | Rebels and Raj: 1857 Revolt and its Representations | Examine 1857 events. Correlate rebel planning and coordination. Understand revolt spread. Analyze unity created among Indians. Interpret visual images reflecting emotions. |
| 11 | Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement: Civil Disobedience and Beyond | Understand nationalist movement chronologically. Correlate significant elements of the movement. Debate Gandhi's contributions. Explore interpreting historical sources. |
| 12 | Framing of the Constitution: The Beginning of a New Era | Highlight Constituent Assembly's role. Analyze how debates shaped the Constitution. |
History Syllabus Class 12 CBSE 2025-26 Question Paper Design clearly explains the section-wise distribution of questions and marks for theory, map work, and project work. Understanding the CBSE Class 12 History question paper design 2025-26 helps students plan answers effectively and score better in board exams.
| History Syllabus Class 12 CBSE 2025-26 Question Paper Design | ||||||
| Part | MCQ (Q×M) | SA (Q×M) | LA (Q×M) | Source Based (Q×M) | Map (Q×M) | Total Marks |
| Part I | 7 × 1 | 2 × 3 | 1 × 8 | 1 × 4 | — | 25 |
| Part II | 7 × 1 | 2 × 3 | 1 × 8 | 1 × 4 | — | 25 |
| Part III | 7 × 1 | 2 × 3 | 1 × 8 | 1 × 4 | — | 25 |
| Map Work | — | — | — | — | 1 × 5 | 5 |
| Theory Total | 80 | |||||
| Project Work | 20 | |||||
| Grand Total | 100 Marks | |||||
Students benefit greatly from downloading the official CBSE Class 12 History syllabus 2025-26 PDF.
It provides a clear roadmap for study. The PDF ensures access to the latest curriculum and marking scheme. This helps in strategic planning and focused revision for the 2025-26 academic year.