Get the complete CBSE Class 12 History Syllabus 2026-27 with all themes, chapters, topics, marks distribution, exam pattern, and expert tips. One page. Everything you need.

Quick Overview

Exam Structure 2026-27

The theory paper carries 80 marks and Project Work carries 20 marks. The paper tests reading, analysis, and writing of historical sources.

Theory Paper Pattern (80 Marks)

Project Work (20 Marks)

Theme-Wise Marks Distribution 2026-27

The History syllabus is organised into 15 themes across three parts. Each part is equally important.

Complete Syllabus 2026-27: All 15 Themes and Topics

Use this as your theme-wise revision checklist throughout the year.

Part I: Early Societies to Early Empires (Themes 1 to 4)

Theme 1: The Story of the First Cities - Harappan Archaeology

•        Harappan Civilisation - overview, geographical spread

•        Archaeological sources: seals, pottery, tools, town planning

•        Mohenjodaro - citadel, lower town, great bath, granary

•        Subsistence strategies: agriculture, animal husbandry, crafts, trade

•        Social differences - evidence and debate

•        Decline of Harappan Civilisation - theories

Theme 2: Political and Economic History - Mauryan Empire

•        Ashokan inscriptions - types, distribution, significance

•        Mauryan administration - centre, provinces, Dhamma

•        Arthashastra - Kautilya, nature of state

•        Economy: agriculture, trade, crafts

•        Buddhism and Ashoka - spread of Dhamma

Theme 3: Social Histories - Mahabharata

•        Mahabharata as a historical source

•        Social categories: Varna, Jati, gender relations

•        Debates on Brahmanical tradition and alternatives

•        Family structures and kinship patterns

Theme 4: A History of Buddhism - Sanchi Stupa

•        Buddhism - teachings, sangha, spread

•        Stupa architecture - Sanchi, toranas, carvings

•        Patrons of Buddhism - merchants, kings, women

•        Reading sculptural art as historical evidence

Part II: Empires and Kingdoms - Medieval India (Themes 5 to 9)

Theme 5: Agrarian Relations - Ain-i-Akbari

•        Ain-i-Akbari by Abul Fazl - content and significance

•        Agrarian society: zamindars, peasants, agriculture

•        Revenue systems - zabt, jama, hasil

•        Forests and tribal communities

Theme 6: The Mughal Court - Reconstructing Histories

•        Mughal chronicles - Akbarnama, Padshahnama

•        Court culture: rituals, jharoka, weighing ceremony

•        Imperial household - role of women, harem

•        Nobles and mansabdars

Theme 7: New Architecture - Hampi

•        Vijayanagara Empire - origin, rulers

•        City of Hampi - layout, water systems, markets

•        Sacred and secular architecture - temples, royal complex

•        Sources: archaeological remains and travellers accounts

Theme 8: Religious Histories - Bhakti-Sufi Traditions

•        Bhakti movement - origins, key saints: Kabir, Mirabai, Tukaram

•        Sufi traditions - khanqah, silsila, key figures

•        Interaction between Bhakti and Sufi movements

•        Transmission of traditions - oral and written

Theme 9: Medieval Society through Travellers Accounts

•        Al-Biruni - background, observations on Indian society

•        Ibn Battuta - travels in India, observations

•        Francois Bernier - comparison of Mughal India with Europe

•        How travellers perspectives shaped historical understanding

Part III: Colonialism and Modern India (Themes 10 to 15)

Theme 10: Colonialism and Rural Society - Evidence from Bengal

•        Permanent Settlement 1793 - terms, impact on zamindars and peasants

•        Ryotwari and Mahalwari systems

•        Peasant movements - Indigo revolt, Deccan riots

•        Colonial forest and land policies

Theme 11: Representations of 1857

•        Revolt of 1857 - causes, centres, key leaders

•        British representations - paintings, reports, fiction

•        Indian representations - nationalist memory, folk memory

•        Aftermath - reorganisation of British India

Theme 12: Colonialism and Indian Towns

•        Colonial cities - Bombay, Calcutta, Madras

•        Town plans and municipal reports as sources

•        White towns and Black towns - segregation

•        De-urbanisation of traditional cities

Theme 13: Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement

•        Gandhi's methods - Satyagraha, Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience

•        Key movements: Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Non-Cooperation 1920, Salt March 1930

•        Collected Works of Gandhi as historical source

•        Relationship with mass movements and different groups

Theme 14: Partition through Oral Sources

•        Partition of 1947 - causes, violence, displacement

•        Oral history as a source - methodology and limitations

•        Experiences of women and refugees during Partition

•        Memory and trauma in Partition narratives

Theme 15: The Making of the Constitution

•        Constituent Assembly - composition, debates, sessions

•        Key debates: language, minority rights, federalism, fundamental rights

•        Ambedkar's role and vision for the Constitution

•        Sources: Constituent Assembly Debates (CAD)

•        Framing of the Constitution - key provisions

Important Dates 2026-27

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

Theme-Wise Priority at a Glance

Study Tips for CBSE Class 12 History

1. Focus on Sources and Evidence

•        CBSE History is source-based - every theme is taught through a specific source

•        Know the source for each theme: Ain-i-Akbari for Theme 5, Sanchi Stupa for Theme 4, CAD for Theme 15

•        Practice reading and analysing source-based questions from CBSE sample papers

2. Prepare All 15 Themes Equally

•        Do not skip any theme - source questions can come from any theme

•        Part III (Modern India) carries 30 marks and is usually most scoring for students

•        Prepare short notes of 10-12 lines per theme for quick revision

3. Master Long Answer Writing

•        3 long answer questions of 8 marks each require structured, essay-style answers

•        Structure: Introduction (2 lines), 3-4 main points with evidence, Conclusion (2 lines)

•        Use specific historical facts, dates, and names to score full marks

4. Practice Source-Based Questions Daily

•        17 marks come from source-based questions - they are highly scoring if practised

•        Read the source carefully and answer only what is asked - do not reproduce the entire source

•        Practise sources from NCERT and CBSE sample papers 2026-27

5. Use Maps and Timelines

•        Prepare a historical timeline for key events in each theme

•        Know maps: Harappan sites, Mauryan Empire, Mughal provinces, Revolt of 1857 centres

•        Map-based questions appear in MCQs - mark and study all important locations

Scoring Tips for the Board Exam

•        Attempt MCQs first - 21 direct marks to secure before moving to long answers

•        For 8-mark long answers, always write a brief introduction and conclusion - they add structure

•        Use specific names, dates and places in every answer - vague answers lose marks

•        In source-based questions, quote directly from the source given in the paper

•        Mention the historian or author where relevant - examiners reward academic awareness

•        For short answers, write 3 distinct points for 3 marks - one point per mark

•        Never write in paragraph blocks for long answers - use points with sub-headings

•        Leave 10 minutes at the end to review MCQs and short answers

Common Mistakes to Avoid

•        Mixing up themes and their sources - always know which source belongs to which theme

•        Writing general knowledge instead of NCERT-based textual answers

•        Ignoring Part I themes (Ancient India) - they carry 25 marks and are frequently tested

•        Not practising source-based questions - students lose 17 marks due to unfamiliarity with format

•        Writing very long introductions - get to the main points quickly in long answers

•        Confusing Bhakti and Sufi traditions - keep saints, texts, and practices clearly separate

•        Skipping Theme 9 (Travellers Accounts) - it is small but regularly tested

•        Not using historical terminology - words like chronicle, epigraphy, oral source add value

Best Resources for Preparation

•        NCERT History - Themes in Indian History Part 1, 2, 3 (Class 12) - primary resource

•        CBSE Sample Papers 2026-27 on cbseacademic.nic.in

•        CBSE Question Bank - theme-wise source questions and long answer practice

•        Arihant All in One History Class 12 - good for source-based question practice

•        Previous Year CBSE Papers (7 years) - for identifying repeated themes and question patterns

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How many themes are in CBSE Class 12 History?

There are 15 themes divided into three parts - Part I (Ancient), Part II (Medieval) and Part III (Modern), each taught through specific historical sources.

Q2. What are source-based questions in History?

Source-based questions provide an extract from a historical text, document or inscription and ask you to answer 2-3 questions based on it. They carry 17 marks and are highly scoring with practice.

Q3. Which part carries the most marks in Class 12 History?

Part III: Modern India carries 30 marks and includes Mahatma Gandhi, Partition, and the Constitution - the three highest-priority themes in the entire syllabus.

Q4. Is map work included in CBSE Class 12 History?

Map-based questions appear mainly as MCQs and objective-type questions. You should know the locations of Harappan sites, Mauryan centres, Mughal provinces, and 1857 revolt centres.

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

Yes. NCERT is the most important resource for CBSE History. Read all three parts thoroughly, practise source-based questions from CBSE sample papers, and you can comfortably score 90+.

Disclaimer

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