CBSE Class 11 Psychology Syllabus 2026-27 Marks Distribution
The CBSE Class 11 Psychology syllabus 2026-27 is verified against the official curriculum document checked on 2026-07-13. For the current academic session, the subject(code 037) carries a theory exam of 70 marks and a practical file evaluation of 30 marks. You can confirm every detail directly on the CBSE academic website, as this page mirrors that official document.
Course Structure and Marks Distribution
The theory question paper spans 3 hours and covers eight units. Below is the exact marks distribution verified from the official curriculum PDF (NCERT, p. 2). Knowing these weightages helps you prioritise the units that carry more marks.
| Unit Number | Unit Name | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| I | Understanding Psychology | 11 |
| II | Methods of Enquiry in Psychology | 13 |
| III | Human Development | 11 |
| IV | Sensory, Attentional and Perceptual Processes | 8 |
| V | Learning | 9 |
| VI | Human Memory | 8 |
| VII | Thinking | 5 |
| VIII | Motivation and Emotion | 5 |
| Total | 70 |
Methods of Enquiry in Psychology carries the highest marks at 13. Prioritising this unit early gives you a distinct advantage because it not only secures the maximum marks but also lays the groundwork for the practical research methods assessed later.
For deeper study material across all your subjects, you can access our broader Class 11 resources or review our complete CBSE study material directory.
CBSE Class 11 Psychology Chapter Directory
Chapter-wise study material for every unit above:
| Ch. | Chapter | Study material |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is Psychology? | Coming soon |
| 2 | Methods of Enquiry in Psychology | Coming soon |
| 3 | Human Development | Coming soon |
| 4 | Sensory, Attentional and Perceptual Processes | Coming soon |
| 5 | Learning | Coming soon |
| 6 | Human Memory | Coming soon |
| 7 | Thinking | Coming soon |
| 8 | Motivation and Emotion | Coming soon |
Exam Pattern and Competency Weightage
The official curriculum breaks the 70-mark theory exam into three distinct competency levels (NCERT, p. 7). This breakdown shows how much of the paper relies on memorisation versus critical analysis.
| Competency | Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Remembering and Understanding | 35 | 50% |
| Applying | 25 | 35% |
| Formulating, Analysing, Evaluating and Creating | 10 | 15% |
| Total | 70 | 100% |
Half of the theory paper tests Remembering and Understanding. This means you must solidify your basic definitions and concepts before attempting any application-based questions. A student who skips foundational recall will struggle to apply theories to new situations, which forms the remaining 50% of the exam.
Internal Assessment and Practical Marks Breakdown
The 30-mark practical component requires students to complete one project or small study and conduct two experiments. Competitors often present this vaguely as general “internal assessment,” but the official curriculum defines a strict, explicit split of these 30 marks (NCERT, p. 6).
| Practical Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Practical (Experiments) file | 05 |
| Project File | 05 |
| Viva Voce (Project and experiment) | 05 |
| One experiment (05 for conduction + 10 for reporting) | 15 |
| Total | 30 |
The project or small study must use established methods of enquiry like observation, survey, interview, or questionnaires. The official document lists specific suggested topics (NCERT, p. 5):
- Bullying / Cyberbullying
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Impact of social media on the youth today
- Altruism and its impact on wellbeing
- Peer Pressure
- Anger management
- Sleep Hygiene
- Changing Gender roles and stereotypes
- Cooperation and Competition
- Compliance and Obedience
You may also choose a project on any topic covered in the course, such as Human Development, Learning, Memory, Motivation, Perception, Attention, or Thinking. You can find detailed explanations of these topics in our dedicated Class 11 Psychology notes.
Prescribed Books for Psychology
CBSE strictly prescribes the textbook Psychology, Class XI, Published by NCERT for the current academic session. The curriculum document also notes that this textbook is available in Hindi medium (NCERT, p. 12). Always ensure you are studying from the latest NCERT edition to avoid missing critical updates by referring to the official NCERT portal.
Deletions and Changes in the Syllabus
Students often worry about dropped topics or changed weightages. Based on a direct review of the official 2026-27 curriculum document, the document does not list any deleted or rationalised topics for Class 11 Psychology. This serves as a verified no change update — all eight units and their corresponding marks distribution remain intact for the current session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the subject code for CBSE Class 11 Psychology?
The official subject code for CBSE Class 11 Psychology is 037 (NCERT, p. 1).
How many marks is the Class 11 Psychology practical examination?
The practical examination carries a total of 30 marks. This is split into 5 marks for the experiment file, 5 marks for the project file, 5 marks for the viva voce, and 15 marks for conducting and reporting one experiment (NCERT, p. 6).
What is the competency weightage for the Psychology theory exam?
The 70-mark theory exam is divided as follows: 50% (35 marks) tests Remembering and Understanding, 35% (25 marks) tests Applying, and 15% (10 marks) tests Formulating, Analysing, Evaluating, and Creating (NCERT, p. 7).
Are there any deleted chapters in the CBSE Class 11 Psychology syllabus 2026-27?
No. The official curriculum document for 2026-27 does not list any deleted or rationalised topics. All eight units remain fully intact.
Reference: CBSE Class 11 Psychology curriculum document, session as stated on cbseacademic.nic.in.