CBSE Class 11 Chemistry Syllabus 2026-27: Units & Marks

The CBSE Class 11 Chemistry syllabus 2026-27 is verified against the official curriculum document on 2026-07-13. The subject code for Chemistry is 043. The total marks are split into 70 marks for theory and 30 marks for practical internal assessment. The official Chemistry curriculum document is published on cbseacademic.nic.in, and you can access the prescribed Chemistry Part-I textbook directly from the NCERT portal.

Class 11 Chemistry Course Structure: Unit-Wise Marks for 70 Theory Marks

The theory exam carries 70 marks and is divided across nine units. The official document specifies the time duration as 3 hours (NCERT, p. 2). The table below lists the exact marks assigned to each unit.

Strategic study planning: The two highest-weight theory units are Organic Chemistry at 11 marks and Hydrocarbons at 10 marks. Together, they account for 21 out of 70 theory marks. Focus your revision on these two units first, as they hold nearly one-third of the total theory weightage.

Complete Unit-Wise Breakdown of 70 Marks Chemistry Syllabus

Here are the sub-topics for each unit, taken from the official curriculum document (NCERT, p. 2-3). Use this to plan your study timetable.

Unit 1: Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry (7 Marks)

• Importance of Chemistry, Nature of Matter
• Properties of Matter and their Measurement, Uncertainty in Measurement
• Laws of Chemical Combination, Dalton’s Atomic Theory
• Atomic and Molecular Masses, Mole Concept and Molar Masses
• Percentage Composition, Stoichiometry and Stoichiometric Calculations

Unit 2: Structure of Atom (9 Marks)

• Discovery of Sub-atomic Particles, Atomic Models
• Developments Leading to the Bohr’s Model of Atom
• Bohr’s Model for Hydrogen Atom
• Towards Quantum Mechanical Model of the Atom
• Quantum Mechanical Model of Atom

Unit 3: Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties (6 Marks)

• Why we Need to Classify Elements? Genesis of Periodic Classification
• Modern Periodic Law and the Present Form of Periodic Table
• Nomenclature of Elements with Atomic Number > 100
• Electronic Configuration of Elements and the Periodic Table
• Electronic Configuration of Elements and Types of Elements: s-, p-, d-, f- Blocks
• Periodic Trends in Properties of Elements

Unit 4: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure (7 Marks)

• Kossel-Lewis Approach to Chemical Bonding, Ionic or Electrovalent Bond
• Bond Parameters, VSEPR Theory, Valence Bond Theory
• Hybridisation, Molecular Orbital Theory
• Bonding in Some Homonuclear Diatomic Molecules, Hydrogen Bonding

Unit 5: Chemical Thermodynamics (9 Marks)

• Thermodynamic Terms, Applications
• Measurement of \( \Delta U \) and \( \Delta H \): Calorimetry, Enthalpy Change
• \( \Delta H \) of a Reaction – Reaction Enthalpy
• Enthalpies for Different Types of Reactions
• Spontaneity, Gibbs Energy Change and Equilibrium

Unit 6: Equilibrium (7 Marks)

• Equilibrium in Physical and Chemical Processes – Dynamic Equilibrium
• Law of Chemical Equilibrium and Equilibrium Constant
• Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Equilibria
• Applications of Equilibrium Constants
• Relationship between Equilibrium Constant \( K \), Reaction Quotient \( Q \) and Gibbs Energy \( G \)
• Factors Affecting Equilibria, Ionic Equilibrium in Solution
• Acids, Bases and Salts, Ionization of Acids and Bases
• Buffer Solutions, Solubility Equilibria of Sparingly Soluble Salts

Unit 7: Redox Reactions (4 Marks)

• Classical Idea of Redox Reactions – Oxidation and Reduction Reactions
• Redox Reactions in Terms of Electron Transfer Reactions
• Oxidation Number, Redox Reactions and Electrode Processes

Unit 8: Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques (11 Marks)

• General Introduction, Tetravalence of Carbon: Shapes of Organic Compounds
• Structural Representations of Organic Compounds, Classification of Organic Compounds
• Nomenclature of Organic Compounds, Isomerism
• Fundamental Concepts in Organic Reaction Mechanism
• Methods of Purification of Organic Compounds
• Qualitative Analysis of Organic Compounds, Quantitative Analysis

Unit 9: Hydrocarbons (10 Marks)

• Classification, Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes
• Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Carcinogenic and Toxicity

Formative-Only Topics: s&p Block Elements and the Gaseous State

The official syllabus document includes a specific note regarding two additional topics (NCERT, p. 3). These are s & p Block Elements and The Gaseous State.

According to the document, these topics are included in the syllabus but will be assessed only formatively. This means they will not carry marks in the summative (board-style) theory exam. CBSE introduced this to reduce academic stress while ensuring meaningful learning. Schools can integrate these with existing chapters, as they align well with the core units.

• s & p Block Elements: Electronic configuration, atomic & ionic radii, ionization enthalpy, hydration enthalpy, and general trends in physical and chemical properties across periods and down groups.
• The Gaseous State: Qualitative treatment of gas laws, ideal gas equation, and deviations from it.

Practical Exam Pattern: 30-Mark Internal Assessment Split

The practical examination carries 30 marks. The official evaluation scheme splits these marks across five categories (NCERT, p. 4).

The practical syllabus is divided into six experiment categories (A-F) (NCERT, p. 4-5):

• A. Basic Laboratory Techniques: Cutting glass tube and rod, bending glass tube, drawing out a glass jet, boring a cork.
• B. Characterization and Purification: Determination of melting point and boiling point of organic compounds; crystallization of impure samples like Alum, Copper Sulphate, or Benzoic Acid.
• C. Experiments based on pH: Determining pH of fruit juices or varied acid/base solutions; comparing strong and weak acid pH; studying pH change during titration.
• D. Chemical Equilibrium: Studying equilibrium shifts between ferric/thiocyanate ions or \( [\text{Co}(\text{H}_2\text{O})_6]^{2+} \) / chloride ions.
• E. Quantitative Estimation: Preparing standard solutions of Oxalic acid and Sodium carbonate; titrating Sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid.
• F. Qualitative Analysis: Determining one anion and one cation in a given salt. The cation list includes \( Pb^{2+}, Cu^{2+}, Al^{3+}, Fe^{3+}, Mn^{2+}, Ni^{2+}, Zn^{2+}, Co^{2+}, Ca^{2+}, Sr^{2+}, Ba^{2+}, Mg^{2+}, NH_4^+ \). The anion list includes \( CO_3^{2-}, S^{2-}, SO_3^{2-}, NO_3^-, NO_2^-, Cl^-, Br^-, I^-, SO_4^{2-}, PO_4^{3-}, CH_3COO^- \). Detection of Nitrogen, Sulphur, and Chlorine in organic compounds is also included.

Changes and Deletions in the 2026-27 Chemistry Syllabus

Students and teachers searching for deletions need to know exactly what changed. The 2026-27 document lists s & p Block Elements and The Gaseous State as formative-only (NCERT, p. 3). This is a new addition with an explanatory note.

No further deletions or rationalised content are noted in the official 2026-27 Chemistry curriculum document. A verified “no change” is high-value information competitors don’t publish.

Chapter-Wise Study Material for Every Unit Above

Chapter-wise study material for every unit above:

You can also explore our broader Class 11 Chemistry notes or our general Class 11 study material for other subjects. For a full directory of resources across all classes, visit our CBSE notes hub.

Exam Pattern and Question Paper Design

The theory exam is held for 3 hours and carries 70 marks. The curriculum document notes that question papers will have more real-life, competency-based questions requiring application, analysis, and evaluation (NCERT, p. 13).

The detailed design of the question paper is not included in the curriculum document itself. The document states that the details of the Q.P. design shall be subsequently notified with the sample question paper (NCERT, p. 15).

Grading System for Class 11 Chemistry

Class XI uses absolute grading, not the positional 9-point octile system used for Class XII. The document specifies that this is because of the smaller cohort per school versus the national Class XII distribution (NCERT, p. 13).

Schools will award grades based on the following absolute scale:

Prescribed NCERT Textbooks for Class 11 Chemistry

The curriculum document prescribes three specific resources for Class 11 Chemistry (NCERT, p. 7):

• Chemistry Part-I (Class-XI, Published by NCERT)
• Chemistry Part-II (Class-XI, Published by NCERT; backing link: Chemistry Part-II)
• Manual of Microscale Chemistry Laboratory Kit (Published by NCERT)

Frequently Asked Questions About Class 11 Chemistry Syllabus

Is the CBSE Class 11 Chemistry syllabus 2026-27 reduced or changed from last year?

The 2026-27 curriculum document adds “s & p Block Elements” and “The Gaseous State” as formative-only topics. No further deletions or rationalised content are noted in the official document.

Which topics are formative-only and will not appear in the Class 11 Chemistry theory exam?

“s & p Block Elements” and “The Gaseous State” are included in the syllabus but will be assessed only formatively. This means they will not carry marks in the summative theory exam but are meant to reinforce understanding without adding to academic stress.

How many marks is the Class 11 Chemistry practical exam and how is it split?

The practical exam carries 30 marks. It is split as follows: Volumetric Analysis (8 marks), Salt Analysis (8 marks), Content Based Experiment (6 marks), Project Work (4 marks), and Class record and viva (4 marks).

What is the theory-practical marks split for CBSE Class 11 Chemistry?

The total marks are split into 70 marks for the theory exam and 30 marks for the practical internal assessment, making it a 100-mark subject.

Which NCERT textbooks are prescribed for Class 11 Chemistry in the 2026-27 session?

Three resources are prescribed: Chemistry Part-I, Chemistry Part-II, and the Manual of Microscale Chemistry Laboratory Kit, all published by NCERT.

Reference: CBSE Class 11 Chemistry curriculum document, session 2026-27 as stated on cbseacademic.nic.in.