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 80 marks and project work carries 20 marks. The paper tests sociological concepts, source analysis and essay-style answers.

Theory Paper Pattern (80 Marks)

Project Work (20 Marks)

Unit-Wise Marks Distribution 2026-27

Complete Syllabus 2026-27: All Units and Topics

Part A: Indian Society

Unit 1: Introducing Indian Society

•      Colonialism and social change in India

•      Approaches to study Indian society: Indological, structural-functional, Marxist

•      Unity and diversity in Indian society

•      Sociological perspective vs common sense understanding

Unit 2: The Demographic Structure of Indian Society

•      Census of India as a sociological source

•      Population size, growth rate, density and distribution

•      Literacy, sex ratio and infant mortality rate trends

•      Rural-urban composition and migration patterns

•      Demographic dividend and its implications

Unit 3: Social Institutions: Continuity and Change

•      Family and kinship structures in India

•      Changes in family: nuclear family, working women, divorce rates

•      Caste system: origin, features, changes in modern India

•      Tribe as a social institution: definition, characteristics

•      Marriage patterns and their regional variations

Unit 4: Market as a Social Institution

•      Markets and society: sociological perspective

•      Weekly markets, trade networks and their social dimensions

•      Capitalism and the market: emergence and impact

•      Colonialism and Indian markets: deindustrialisation

•      Globalisation and transformation of markets

Unit 5: Patterns of Social Inequality and Exclusion

•      Caste-based inequality: untouchability, discrimination

•      Tribal communities: displacement, land alienation, rights

•      Gender inequality: patriarchy, domestic violence, women at work

•      Disability as social exclusion: societal attitudes and barriers

•      Minorities and marginalisation in Indian society

Unit 6: The Challenges of Cultural Diversity

•      Communalism in India: causes and consequences

•      Regionalism and linguistic diversity: challenges to national unity

•      Secularism as a constitutional value and social practice

•      Ethnic conflicts and their resolution

•      Cultural diversity vs national integration

Part B: Social Change and Development in India

Unit 8: Structural Change

•      Colonialism and social structure: impact on caste, class, gender

•      Industrialisation: rise of new classes, urbanisation

•      Modernisation: concept, critiques and Indian context

•      Westernisation vs modernisation: Srinivas's concepts

Unit 9: Cultural Change

•      Sanskritisation: meaning, process and critique by M.N. Srinivas

•      Secularisation as a process of cultural change

•      Reforms in Hindu society: role of reform movements

•      Social reform movements: Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Prarthana Samaj

•      Dalit movement and assertion of identity

Unit 10: The Story of Democracy

•      Indian democracy: constitutional framework and social foundations

•      Panchayati Raj and decentralisation of power

•      Political parties and their social base

•      Women's reservation debate and political participation

•      Dalit and OBC assertion in democratic politics

Unit 11: Change and Development in Rural Society

•      Land reforms in post-independence India: zamindari abolition

•      Green Revolution: benefits, limitations and regional disparities

•      Agrarian distress: farmer suicides, debt and rural poverty

•      Rural labour: bonded labour, migration and MNREGA

•      Cooperative movements and rural self-reliance

Unit 12: Change and Development in Industrial Society

•      Industrialisation in India: pre and post-independence phases

•      Organised vs unorganised sector: differences and challenges

•      Trade unions: role, decline and labour rights

•      Informalisation of labour and impact on workers

•      New economic policy and impact on industrial workers

Unit 13: Globalisation and Social Change

•      Globalisation: meaning, dimensions, key institutions (WTO, IMF, World Bank)

•      Impact of globalisation on Indian economy and society

•      Cultural globalisation: homogenisation vs hybridisation

•      Diasporic communities and identity

•      Resistance to globalisation: social movements and civil society

Unit 14: Mass Media and Communications

•      Growth of mass media in India: print, radio, television, internet

•      Social media and its impact on society and politics

•      Media and democracy: role of free press

•      Media ownership and concentration: corporate control

•      Digital divide and unequal access to media

Unit 15: Social Movements

•      Definition and types of social movements: old and new

•      Environmental movements: Chipko, Narmada Bachao Andolan

•      Women's movement in India: phases and key issues

•      Dalit movement: Ambedkar, Dalit Panthers, assertion of rights

•      Peasant and farmer movements: historical and contemporary

•      Right to Information movement and civil society

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 Sociology

1. Learn Key Sociologists and Their Concepts

•      CBSE awards marks for naming the correct sociologist with the concept

•      Know key thinkers: M.N. Srinivas (Sanskritisation, Westernisation), B.R. Ambedkar (caste), G.S. Ghurye (tribe)

•      Make a one-page cheat sheet: concept on the left, thinker on the right

2. Use Real-Life Indian Examples in Every Answer

•      Sociology answers need examples from Indian society to score full marks

•      Link concepts to real events: Chipko for environment, Narmada for displacement, RTI for democracy

•      Examiners reward answers that go beyond textbook definitions with contextual examples

3. Focus on Part B for Higher Scoring

•      Part B (Social Change and Development) is more direct and easier to write long answers for

•      Units 13, 15 and 11 appear every year in 6-mark long answer questions

•      Prepare 10-line structured notes for each unit for quick revision

4. Practice Passage-Based Questions

•      Passage-based questions carry 4 marks and are easy if you read the extract carefully

•      Answer only from the passage, do not write general sociological knowledge

•      Practise at least 10 passages from CBSE sample papers 2026-27

Scoring Tips for the Board Exam

•      Attempt MCQs first to secure 20 marks before moving to descriptive answers

•      For 6-mark long answers, write introduction, 4 clear points with examples, conclusion

•      Always name the sociologist or thinker relevant to the concept being discussed

•      For 2-mark short answers, write 2 direct sentences, one point per mark

•      Use sociological terms correctly: stratification, patriarchy, secularisation, sanskritisation

•      In passage questions, underline what is being asked before you begin writing

•      Write legibly and leave a line between answers, presentation matters

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

Common Mistakes to Avoid

•      Mixing up concepts: Sanskritisation and Westernisation are often confused, keep them distinct

•      Writing general knowledge instead of NCERT-based sociological answers

•      Not naming the thinker alongside the concept, examiners specifically look for this

•      Skipping Unit 6 (Cultural Diversity) and Unit 14 (Mass Media), both are regularly tested

•      Writing vague answers without Indian examples, always ground answers in specific cases

•      Ignoring Social Movements (Unit 15), it appears almost every year for 6 marks

•      Confusing old and new social movements, keep their features clearly separate

•      Not practising MCQs, students lose easy marks due to conceptual confusion

Best Resources for Preparation

•      NCERT Sociology: Indian Society and Social Change and Development in India (Class 12)

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

•      CBSE Question Bank: unit-wise passage and long answer practice

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

•      Arihant All in One Sociology Class 12: useful for MCQ and short answer practice

Frequently Asked Questions

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

There are 15 units across two parts. Part A (Indian Society) has 7 units and Part B (Social Change and Development in India) has 8 units.

Q2. Which part carries more marks in Class 12 Sociology?

Both parts carry 40 marks each in the theory paper. Part B is generally considered more scoring as the topics on social change are direct and easier to write structured answers for.

Q3. Is there any map or practical work in Class 12 Sociology?

No map work is included. The project work carries 20 marks and involves a student-led sociological project, viva voce and internal assessment.

Q4. Which units are most important for board exam 2026-27?

Units 5 (Social Inequality), 15 (Social Movements), 13 (Globalisation), 9 (Cultural Change) and 3 (Social Institutions) are the highest-priority units based on past exam patterns.

Q5. Is NCERT enough to score 90+ in Sociology?

Yes. Both NCERT books are the primary resource for CBSE Sociology. Read them thoroughly, practise CBSE sample papers and previous year questions to comfortably score 90+.

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