Complete syllabus with all units, chapters, topics, marks distribution, exam pattern, study tips, and scoring strategies. Everything you need: in one place.

Quick Overview

Exam Structure 2026-27

The theory paper carries 70 marks and practicals/project work carries 30 marks. The exam tests map skills, data analysis, source interpretation, and applied geography.

Theory Paper Pattern (70 Marks)

Practical / Project Work (30 Marks)

Unit-Wise Marks Distribution 2026-27

Complete Syllabus 2026-27: All Units and Topics

Part A: Fundamentals of Human Geography

Unit 1: Human Geography: Nature and Scope

•      Nature and scope of Human Geography

•      Relationship between Nature and Human beings

•      Approaches in Human Geography: determinism, possibilism, neo-determinism

Unit 2: People

•      World population: distribution, density and growth

•      Population change: fertility, mortality, migration

•      Age-sex composition: population pyramid

•      Rural-urban composition

•      Human Development: concept, HDI, indicators

Unit 3: Human Activities

•      Primary activities: gathering, pastoral, mining, agriculture

•      Types of farming: subsistence, commercial, plantation, mixed

•      Secondary activities: manufacturing, agro-based, mineral-based

•      Tertiary and Quaternary activities: trade, transport, services, knowledge economy

•      Special Economic Zones (SEZ)

Unit 4: Transport, Communication and Trade

•      Land transport: roads, railways, Trans-Siberian, Trans-Canadian railways

•      Water transport: inland waterways, ocean routes

•      Air transport: importance and major air routes

•      Oil and gas pipelines

•      International trade: basis, trade balance, WTO

•      Communication: satellite, internet, cyber space

Unit 5: Human Settlements

•      Rural settlements: types, patterns

•      Urban settlements: origin, classification, functions

•      Functional classification of towns

•      Problems of human settlements in developing countries

Part B: India: People and Economy

Unit 6: People of India

•      Population distribution and density in India

•      Population growth and composition: linguistic, religious, rural-urban

•      Migration: types, causes, consequences

•      Human development indicators in India: state-wise comparison

Unit 7: Human Settlements of India

•      Rural settlements: types and distribution patterns

•      Urban settlements: classification, distribution

•      Smart Cities mission and urbanisation trends

•      Problems of urban areas: slums, infrastructure, pollution

Unit 8: Resources and Development

•      Land resources: land use pattern, land degradation, conservation

•      Water resources: surface water, groundwater, water scarcity, rain water harvesting

•      Mineral resources: iron ore, coal, petroleum, distribution

•      Energy resources: conventional and non-conventional (solar, wind, biogas)

•      Agriculture: major food and non-food crops, agricultural development

•      Green Revolution: impact and limitations

•      Manufacturing industries: agro-based, mineral-based, distribution

•      Industrial corridors and clusters in India

Unit 9: Transport, Communication and International Trade

•      Land transport in India: national highways, railways, Golden Quadrilateral

•      Water transport: major ports, inland waterways

•      Air transport: international and domestic airports

•      India's international trade: composition, direction, trade balance

•      Trade with major partners: USA, China, Gulf countries

•      Digital communication: telecom, internet penetration

Unit 10: Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues

•      Environmental pollution: air, water, land and noise pollution

•      Urban waste disposal: solid waste management

•      Urbanisation: rural-urban migration, urban sprawl

•      Land degradation: causes, effects, remedies

Map Work Syllabus 2026-27

Part A: World Map (Outline Map)

•      Major industrial regions: Ruhr, Great Lakes, South-East Asia

•      Major sea ports: Rotterdam, Mumbai, Singapore, New York

•      International airports: Heathrow, Dubai, JFK, Frankfurt

•      Major ocean routes: Cape Route, Suez Route, Panama Route

•      Trans-continental railways: Trans-Siberian, Trans-Canadian

Part B: India Map (Outline Map)

•      Major coal fields: Jharia, Raniganj, Singareni

•      Oil refineries: Jamnagar, Digboi, Panipat, Mathura

•      Major ports: Mumbai, Kandla, Kolkata, Chennai, Visakhapatnam

•      National highways: NH 1, NH 2, NH 44, NH 48

•      Major cities and state capitals

•      Iron and steel plants: Bhilai, Durgapur, Rourkela, Bokaro

Important Dates 2026-27

Verify all dates on cbse.gov.in before the exam season.

Unit-Wise Priority at a Glance

Study Tips for CBSE Class 12 Geography

1. Master Map Work First

•      Map questions carry guaranteed marks: 8 marks theory + 10 marks practical

•      Practice locating all syllabus items on blank outline maps daily

•      Use NCERT atlas maps for reference: never rely on memory alone

2. Focus on Unit 8: It is the Highest Scorer

•      Unit 8 (Resources and Development) covers land, water, minerals, energy and manufacturing

•      It spans the most NCERT chapters and yields 10-12 marks every year

•      Make topic-wise notes: one page per resource type

3. Learn Data Tables and Statistics

•      CBSE Geography asks data-based and case-study questions worth 10 marks

•      Study tables from NCERT: population density, HDI rankings, crop production data

•      Practice interpreting bar graphs, pie charts and population pyramids

4. Compare India and World for Every Topic

•      The syllabus is split 50-50 between World Geography (Part A) and India Geography (Part B)

•      Examiners frequently frame questions that ask you to compare both

•      Example: World trade routes vs. India's international trade direction

Scoring Tips for the Board Exam

•      Attempt MCQs first: 17 guaranteed marks to secure before long answers

•      For 5-mark long answers, write 5 distinct points: one point per mark

•      Always label maps correctly: unlabelled locations get zero marks

•      Use specific data, numbers and place names: vague answers lose marks

•      In case-based questions, read the source carefully and answer only what is asked

•      For short answers, write 3 clear points in 3–4 lines: be concise

•      For population pyramid questions, always label age groups and sex on both axes

•      Leave 10 minutes to review MCQs and check map labels at the end

Common Mistakes to Avoid

•      Confusing Part A and Part B topics: always specify India or World context

•      Skipping map work preparation: students lose 8-10 marks in theory alone

•      Writing general knowledge instead of NCERT-based answers

•      Not practising data interpretation: case-based questions need regular practice

•      Ignoring Unit 10 (Geographical Perspectives): it's short but appears regularly

•      Labelling maps with wrong locations: double-check every location before exams

•      Writing vague definitions without examples: always support with real-world examples

•      Not using geographical terminology: words like agglomeration, hinterland, transhumance add marks

Best Resources for Preparation

•      NCERT Geography: Fundamentals of Human Geography + India: People and Economy (Class 12): primary resource

•      CBSE Sample Papers 2026-27 on cbseacademic.nic.in: practise full papers under timed conditions

•      CBSE Question Bank: unit-wise map questions and data-based question practice

•      NCERT Atlas: essential for map work preparation

•      Previous Year CBSE Papers (7 years): identify repeated topics and question formats

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How many units are in CBSE Class 12 Geography?

There are 10 units divided into two parts: Part A: Fundamentals of Human Geography (Units 1–5) and Part B: India: People and Economy (Units 6–10).

Q2. What is the practical component in Class 12 Geography?

Practicals carry 30 marks and include practical file/field work report (15 marks), map work (10 marks), and viva voce (5 marks).

Q3. Which unit carries the most marks in Class 12 Geography?

Unit 8: Resources and Development is the highest-weightage unit. It covers land, water, mineral, energy and manufacturing topics and yields 10-12 marks.

Q4. Is map work included in both theory and practicals?

Yes. Map work carries 8 marks in the theory paper and 10 marks in the practical exam. Prepare both World and India outline maps thoroughly.

Q5. Is NCERT enough for scoring 90+ in Geography?

Yes. NCERT is the core resource for CBSE Geography. Read both Part A and Part B books thoroughly, practise map work daily, and solve CBSE sample papers for 90+ marks.

Disclaimer: This content is based on the official CBSE Geography curriculum. Always verify the latest syllabus on cbse.gov.in as CBSE may update it.