ISC Class 12 Marathi Syllabus 2026-27

The ISC (Indian School Certificate) Class 12 Marathi syllabus for the academic session 2026-27 is prescribed by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). Marathi is one of the major scheduled languages of India and the official language of Maharashtra. As an ISC language subject, Marathi offers students a rigorous academic engagement with the literature, grammar, and expressive traditions of a language with a continuous literary heritage spanning over eight centuries.

Marathi at the ISC level is available as both a first language and a second language option, catering to students with different levels of proficiency and different relationships to the language. The Class 12 syllabus builds on the foundation established in Class 11 and is designed to develop advanced reading comprehension, precise written expression, literary analysis, and an appreciation of the major literary forms and authors of Marathi literature. Students are introduced to a curated selection of prose, poetry, and drama from the prescribed texts, which represent the breadth and depth of the Marathi literary tradition from classical to contemporary periods.

The ISC Marathi examination tests students across four core competencies: reading and comprehension of unseen passages, written composition in a variety of functional and creative forms, grammar and language use, and critical engagement with prescribed literary texts. This integrated approach develops students who are not merely proficient users of Marathi but informed readers and thoughtful writers in the language.

This page provides the complete, updated ISC Class 12 Marathi syllabus for 2026-27, covering the examination pattern, section-wise breakdown of the theory paper, the prescribed texts, the marking scheme, and expert preparation tips to help students plan their study effectively across the academic year.

Quick Facts: ISC Class 12 Marathi 2026-27

ISC Class 12 Marathi Exam Pattern 2026-27

The ISC Class 12 Marathi examination for the session 2026-27 consists of a written theory paper of three hours duration carrying 80 marks, and an internal assessment component carrying 20 marks conducted throughout the academic year by the school. The theory paper is divided into three sections, each testing a distinct competency area. There is no practical examination for Marathi.

Overall Assessment Structure

Theory Paper: Section-wise Breakdown

The 80-mark theory paper is structured into three sections. Section A tests reading comprehension through unseen passages. Section B tests writing skills across a range of functional and creative composition types. Section C tests detailed knowledge of the prescribed literary texts. Each section is compulsory in the sense that students must attempt questions from it, but within sections, choices are offered.

Internal Assessment: Components

ISC Class 12 Marathi Marking Scheme 2026-27

ISC Class 12 Marathi Detailed Syllabus 2026-27

The ISC Marathi syllabus for Class 12 is organised into four interconnected areas: reading comprehension, writing skills, grammar and language study, and the study of prescribed literary texts. Together these areas develop students who can read Marathi with depth and precision, write in Marathi with accuracy and style, and engage meaningfully with the literary heritage of the language.

Section A: Reading Comprehension

This section tests students' ability to read and understand unseen passages in Marathi. Two passages are given, which may include a prose extract, a factual or informational passage, and occasionally a short poem or verse extract. Questions test a range of reading sub-skills from literal recall to inference, vocabulary in context, and the ability to summarise ideas concisely in the student's own Marathi.

1.1 Comprehension of Unseen Prose Passages

•        Reading for literal comprehension: identifying stated facts, events, and information

•        Reading for inference: drawing conclusions from implied meaning; identifying the author's tone and purpose

•        Vocabulary in context: understanding word meanings from surrounding text; antonyms, synonyms, and contextual definitions

•        Summary writing in Marathi: condensing a given passage to a specified word limit while retaining key ideas

•        Appreciation of prose style: recognising figurative language, descriptive writing, and narrative technique

1.2 Comprehension of Unseen Poetry or Verse

•        Reading a short poem or verse extract and responding to questions

•        Identifying the central idea, theme, and emotional register of the poem

•        Understanding imagery, metaphor, and poetic devices used in the verse

•        Paraphrasing selected lines or stanzas in simple Marathi prose

Section B: Writing Skills

This section develops students' ability to write accurately and effectively in a range of functional and creative forms in Marathi. Students are assessed on their command of standard written Marathi, the appropriateness of register and tone to the writing task, the organisation and coherence of their content, and the correctness of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

2.1 Formal Writing

•        Formal letter writing: letters of complaint, request, application, enquiry, and official correspondence in standard Marathi letter format

•        Notice writing: official notices for schools, organisations, and community events in the prescribed format

•        Report writing: formal reports on events, meetings, surveys, or social issues in structured Marathi

2.2 Informal and Creative Writing

•        Informal letter writing: personal letters to friends, relatives, and pen pals in natural, idiomatic Marathi

•        Essay writing: argumentative, descriptive, narrative, and reflective essays on given topics; approximately 250 to 350 words

•        Story writing: composing a short story from given visual or verbal prompts

•        Dialogue writing: writing a conversation between two or more characters on a given situation

•        Expansion of a proverb (m'haaN): developing an essay or short paragraph from a given Marathi proverb

2.3 Functional Writing

•        Diary entry: writing a personal diary passage recording an experience, emotion, or event

•        Speech writing: composing a structured speech for a given occasion or topic

•        Slogan writing: creating concise, effective slogans in Marathi for social or educational purposes

Section C: Prescribed Texts

This section requires students to engage in close critical reading of the prescribed literary texts. The CISCE prescribes specific Marathi texts for Class 12 each session, drawn from across the genres of prose (gadya), poetry (padya), and drama (natya). The selection includes works by celebrated Marathi authors and represents a range of literary periods, styles, and themes. Students are expected to demonstrate both textual knowledge and the ability to analyse, interpret, and appreciate the literary qualities of the prescribed works.

3.1 Prescribed Prose (Gadya Sangrah)

•        Close reading and comprehension of prescribed prose extracts and essays

•        Understanding the central argument, theme, and narrative structure of each prose piece

•        Identifying the author's viewpoint, tone, and stylistic characteristics

•        Contextual questions (sandarbha): identifying the speaker, the context, and the significance of given passages

•        Short answer questions on character, plot, theme, and language of prescribed prose texts

•        Critical appreciation: analysing the literary merits and social or philosophical significance of selected prose works

3.2 Prescribed Poetry (Padya Sangrah)

•        Reading and recitation of prescribed poems with correct intonation, rhythm, and emotional expression

•        Understanding the literal and figurative meaning of prescribed poems

•        Identification and explanation of poetic devices: upama (simile), rupak (metaphor), anuprasa (alliteration), yaman (rhyme scheme)

•        Understanding the rasa (emotional essence) of each prescribed poem

•        Paraphrasing: expressing the meaning of selected stanzas in clear prose Marathi

•        Reference to context questions: identifying the poem, the poet, the occasion, and the meaning of given lines

•        Critical appreciation of the poem's imagery, structure, and emotional impact

3.3 Prescribed Drama (Natya)

•        Reading and understanding the prescribed drama text in full

•        Character analysis: identifying key characters, their traits, motivations, and relationships

•        Dramatic structure: understanding the plot, conflict, climax, and resolution

•        Dialogue analysis: understanding how character is revealed through speech in Marathi drama

•        Themes and social context: identifying the central themes and the social, historical, or philosophical issues addressed

•        Stage directions and dramatic technique: understanding the playwright's craft

•        Reference to context and critical appreciation questions

3.4 Grammar and Language Study (Integrated Across Sections)

•        Vibhakti (case markers) and their correct usage in written Marathi

•        Samasas (compound words): types, formation, and analysis

•        Alankar (figures of speech): identification and use in both analysis and original composition

•        Kaal (tense) and Kriyapada (verbs): correct conjugation in formal and literary Marathi

•        Vakya parivartana (sentence transformation): active to passive voice, direct to indirect speech

•        Word formation: prefixes (upasarg), suffixes (pratyay), and root words in Marathi

•        Punctuation in Marathi: correct use of full stop, comma, question mark, and speech marks

•        Proverbs (m'haaNI) and idioms (vaakyaprachar): meaning, usage, and application

Prescribed Authors and Literary Texts: ISC Marathi 2026-27

The CISCE prescribes specific texts for the ISC Class 12 Marathi examination each session. The prescribed texts for 2026-27 are drawn from the rich tradition of Marathi literature and include works by some of the most celebrated authors in the language. Students and teachers should obtain the official CISCE text list from the board's website and ensure they are using the correct editions. The following represents the standard categories and types of authors and works typically included in the ISC Marathi prescription.

Prescribed Prose Authors and Works

•        Essays and reflective prose by major 20th-century Marathi prose writers

•        Travel writing (pravas varnan) and autobiographical prose from the modern period

•        Social commentary and reform-oriented prose in the tradition of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and later writers

•        Representative authors from the Navyug (New Age) and Aadhunik (Modern) periods of Marathi prose

•        Short stories (katha) by celebrated Marathi fiction writers

Prescribed Poetry Authors and Works

•        Classical devotional poetry: abhangas by Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram, and Sant Namdev

•        Modern Marathi poetry: poems from the Keshavsut tradition and the Little Magazine movement

•        Contemporary Marathi poets whose work engages with social, political, and personal themes

•        Women's poetry in Marathi: selected works by significant Marathi women poets

•        Nature poetry (nisarga kavita) and socially conscious poetry from the post-Independence period

Prescribed Drama

•        A full-length Marathi play by a significant 20th or 21st-century Marathi dramatist

•        Representative works from the tradition of Natya Sangit (musical drama) or Samajikatavadi (social realist) drama

•        Plays by prominent Marathi playwrights such as Vijay Tendulkar, Mahesh Elkunchwar, P.L. Deshpande, or their contemporaries

Chapter-wise Overview Table

Preparation Tips for ISC Class 12 Marathi 2026-27

ISC Marathi rewards students who combine a love of the language with systematic and organised study. The three sections of the theory paper test distinct competencies, and effective preparation must address each section individually while building the overall fluency in standard written Marathi that underpins performance across all three.

1. Read Widely in Standard Written Marathi

The single most effective preparation for a language paper is extensive reading. Make it a habit to read Marathi newspapers (Loksatta, Maharashtra Times, Sakal), literary magazines, short stories, and essays throughout the academic year. Wide reading builds vocabulary naturally, exposes students to varied writing styles and registers, and develops the reading fluency that is essential for the comprehension section. Keep a vocabulary notebook to record unfamiliar words encountered in your reading, along with their meanings and example sentences.

2. Practise Section A Comprehension Regularly

The reading comprehension section rewards precision and the ability to express ideas concisely in Marathi. Practise working through unseen passages weekly, first without a time limit and then progressively under examination conditions. Pay particular attention to inference questions, which ask you to read between the lines, and to summary writing, which requires you to identify the most important ideas and restate them in your own words within a specified length. Avoid copying sentences verbatim from the passage.

3. Master All Writing Formats in Section B

Section B covers a wide range of functional and creative writing forms. Each form has specific conventions of layout, register, tone, and structure that must be followed correctly to earn full marks. Study and memorise the correct format for formal letters, informal letters, notices, reports, and speeches in Marathi. Practise writing at least two examples of each form during your preparation. For essay and creative writing, develop the habit of planning your content in rough before writing, using a clear introduction, developed body paragraphs, and a purposeful conclusion.

4. Study Prescribed Texts in Depth

Section C questions are based entirely on the prescribed texts, and there is no substitute for thorough reading of every prescribed prose piece, poem, and drama. Read each text multiple times: once for overall understanding, once for analytical reading (noting themes, characters, imagery, and language), and once specifically to prepare for reference-to-context and critical appreciation questions. For the drama, understand every scene, character, and key exchange of dialogue. For poetry, be able to paraphrase every poem in the prescription and identify its central theme and poetic devices.

5. Prepare for Reference to Context Questions

Reference to context (sandarbha) questions, in which you are given a quoted passage and asked to identify the text, the speaker or narrator, the occasion, and the significance of the lines, are a standard feature of Section C and require very specific preparation. Prepare a revision sheet for each prescribed text listing the most quotable and significant passages, along with notes on who speaks them, in what context, and why they are important. Regular revision of these notes in the weeks before the examination will ensure accurate identification under time pressure.

6. Revise Grammar Topics Systematically

Grammar questions are embedded across all three sections of the Marathi paper rather than appearing in a dedicated grammar section. Ensure that you have revised all the prescribed grammar topics: vibhakti pratyaya, samasa types, alankar, tense and verb conjugation, sentence transformation (vakya parivartana), and idioms and proverbs. Prepare a concise grammar revision notebook that covers each topic with definitions, examples, and practice exercises. Review this notebook regularly in the second half of the year.

7. Take Internal Assessment Marks Seriously

Internal assessment carries 20 marks and is assessed by the school throughout the year. Submit written assignments on time, maintain a well-organised portfolio of your written work, prepare thoroughly for periodic tests, and participate actively in speaking and listening activities. These marks are considerably easier to secure with consistent effort than equivalent marks in the written examination and should never be treated as a low priority.

8. Solve Previous Years' ISC Marathi Papers

Solving past ISC Marathi question papers under timed examination conditions is one of the most efficient preparation strategies. Aim to complete at least the last eight to ten years' papers. This builds familiarity with the question types and phrasing specific to the ISC Marathi paper, reveals the patterns in which the prescribed texts are tested, and develops the time management skills needed to complete all three sections within three hours. After each practice paper, review your answers carefully, focusing on where marks were lost and why.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the subject code for ISC Class 12 Marathi?

The subject code for ISC Class 12 Marathi is 72, as prescribed by the CISCE for the 2026-27 academic session.

Q2. How many marks does the ISC Class 12 Marathi theory paper carry?

The ISC Class 12 Marathi theory paper carries 80 marks and is three hours in duration. The remaining 20 marks are allocated to internal assessment conducted by the school, bringing the total to 100 marks.

Q3. How is the ISC Marathi theory paper divided?

The 80-mark theory paper is divided into three sections. Section A (Reading Comprehension) carries 20 marks and tests unseen passage comprehension. Section B (Writing Skills) carries 30 marks and covers a range of functional and creative composition types. Section C (Prescribed Texts) carries 30 marks and tests knowledge and critical appreciation of the prescribed prose, poetry, and drama.

Q4. Are the prescribed texts for ISC Marathi the same every year?

The CISCE revises the prescribed text list periodically, though individual texts may remain on the list across multiple sessions. Students and teachers must obtain the confirmed list of prescribed texts for the 2026-27 session directly from the official CISCE website at cisce.org or from the CISCE-published syllabus document for the session. Using an outdated text list is a significant risk that students must avoid.

Q5. Is Marathi available as both a first language and a second language in ISC?

Yes. The CISCE offers Marathi as both a first language option and, in some combinations, as a second language option. The syllabus content and the depth of literary study differ slightly between the two versions. Students should confirm with their school and the CISCE which version they are registered for and ensure that their preparation aligns with the correct syllabus.

Q6. What types of writing tasks appear in Section B of the ISC Marathi paper?

Section B typically offers a choice of writing tasks drawn from the following forms: formal letter, informal letter, essay, notice, report, speech, diary entry, story writing, dialogue writing, and expansion of a Marathi proverb (m'haN vistar). Students are usually required to complete two tasks from the options given. Each form carries specific format and register requirements that must be followed correctly.

Q7. Are grammar questions asked separately in the ISC Marathi paper?

Grammar is not tested in a separate dedicated section in the ISC Marathi paper. Instead, grammar knowledge is assessed in an integrated way across all three sections: correct language use is expected in all written compositions in Section B, grammar-based questions may appear within Section A, and language analysis questions may appear in Section C. A strong command of Marathi grammar is therefore essential for performance across the entire paper.

Q8. How should students approach critical appreciation questions in Section C?

Critical appreciation questions in ISC Marathi require students to analyse a passage or poem from multiple perspectives: its central idea or theme, the author's or poet's craft and style, the use of language and literary devices, the emotional impact, and the social or philosophical significance of the work. Structure your answer with a brief introduction identifying the text, followed by an analysis of the content and themes, an analysis of the language and technique, and a conclusion evaluating the work's overall impact and importance. Avoid retelling the content without analysis; the marks are primarily for your critical observations.

Q9. When is the ISC Class 12 Marathi examination conducted?

The ISC Class 12 board examinations are typically held in February and March. Students should consult the official CISCE website at cisce.org for the confirmed date sheet and timetable for the 2026-27 session and begin planning their revision schedule accordingly.