This page gives you the CBSE Class 12 English syllabus 2026-27 for the English Core paper, verified against the official CBSE document on 2026-07-13. The subject code is 301, the theory paper carries 80 marks, and the internal assessment carries 20 marks, for a grand total of 100 (curriculum PDF, p. 10, 13).
The curriculum document we checked lists no deleted chapters or rationalised content for this session — a point we return to in the dedicated section below. For any later circular you can always cross-check on the CBSE academic site.
Course structure: section-wise marks for the 80-mark paper
The 80-mark theory paper is split across three sections, each testing a different language competency. The Reading Skills section checks whether you can decode, infer, and interpret unseen passages. Creative Writing Skills tests how well you apply writing formats, tone, and grammar to real situations.
The Literature section draws on Flamingo and the supplementary reader, Vistas, and measures recall, reasoning, and appreciation of literary conventions.
| Section | Competencies assessed | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Skills | Conceptual understanding, decoding, analysing, inferring, interpreting, appreciating literary conventions, vocabulary, summarising, using appropriate formats | 22 |
| Creative Writing Skills | Conceptual understanding, application of rules, analysis, reasoning, appropriate style and tone, using appropriate format and fluency, inference, analysis, evaluation, creativity | 18 |
| Literature Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text | Recalling, reasoning, critical thinking, appreciating literary convention, inference, analysis, creativity with fluency | 40 |
| Total (Theory) | 80 |
As the table shows, Literature is the heaviest section at 40 marks — more than Reading and Writing combined. A student aiming for a high board score should treat the textbook and supplementary reader as the centre of gravity of preparation.
Exam pattern and question paper design
The CBSE class 12 English syllabus 2026-27 paper design does not print a detailed typology breakdown inside the curriculum PDF. The curriculum states plainly that the detailed design of the paper is not included in the curriculum document and will instead be notified with the sample question paper (curriculum PDF, p. 15).
In practice, this means the blueprint — how many MCQs, short-answer, and long-answer questions appear, and their competency weightage — is released separately when CBSE publishes the sample paper for the session. What the curriculum does confirm is that the written exam emphasises real-life application, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis, so rote memorisation alone will not carry the paper.
Class XII board results use a 9-point grading scale from A1 to E. Grades are awarded positionally: the top one-eighth of passed candidates receive A1, the next one-eighth A2, and so on down to D2, with E standing for essential repeat (curriculum PDF, p. 13).
Internal assessment: 20 marks breakdown
Internal assessment is worth a total of 20 marks, split evenly between Assessment of Listening and Speaking (ALS) and Project Work (curriculum PDF, p. 13).
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Assessment of Listening and Speaking (ALS): 5 (listening) + 5 (speaking) | 10 |
| Project Work + Viva | 10 |
| Internal Assessment Total | 20 |
Listening and speaking each carry 5 marks. The curriculum is clear that ALS is an integrated component of all four language skills, but assessment emphasises speaking and listening because reading and writing are already assessed in the written exam (curriculum PDF, p. 14).
The four parameters used to assess ALS are:
- Interactive competence — initiation, turn taking, relevance to the topic
- Fluency — cohesion, coherence, and speed of delivery
- Pronunciation — clear articulation and intonation
- Language — grammar and vocabulary
The practice of listening and speaking skills should run through the academic year, with the final assessment done as per the school’s own schedule (curriculum PDF, p. 15).
Project work: options, portfolio and timeline
Project Work plus viva carries 10 marks, with 5 marks for the project report or script and 5 marks for the viva (curriculum PDF, p. 16). You can work individually, in a pair, or in a group.
The curriculum suggests four accepted project types:
- Interview-based research — choose a topic, conduct interviews, write an 800–1000 word write-up, then face a viva.
- Podcast or documentary critique — listen to a podcast, interview, or documentary, then write an 800–1000 word report agreeing or countering the speaker; follow with a viva.
- Video or audio script — create your own video or audio piece after writing a script, deciding theme, guests, format, and duration.
- One-act play — write, direct, and present a theatrical production as a team, ending with a presentation and viva.
The project portfolio is a compiled record of your work. The curriculum suggests it include:
- Cover page with project title and student/school details
- Statement of purpose, objectives, or goals
- Certificate of completion under the teacher’s guidance
- Student action plan
- Supporting materials such as scripts, interview questionnaires, essays, or survey reports
- The 800–1000 word essay, script, or report
- Student or group reflections
- If possible, photographs capturing learning experiences
- Bibliography or resource list
The suggestive timeline for project work is set out across the academic year:
| Phase | Months | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Planning and research | Preferably November–December | Teacher orients students; teams form; project plan is drafted; work is delegated. |
| Finalisation | December–January | Teacher shares suggestions; gaps are filled; final draft of portfolio is submitted for evaluation. |
| Presentation and viva | January–February | Group, pair, or individual presentations are held; final viva is conducted by an external or internal examiner. |
| Marks upload | February–March (or as per Board timelines) | Marks are uploaded on the CBSE website. |
Deletions and changes for 2026-27
The CBSE English Core curriculum document we checked on 2026-07-13 does not list any deletions or rationalised content for Class 12 for the 2026-27 session. The PDF contains no dropped chapters, no removed poems, and no reduced weightage table.
Many aggregator pages claim a reduced syllabus without citing the document; here, we are stating the reverse — a verified no-change position. If CBSE issues any later circular modifying this, it will appear on the CBSE academic site, and you should check there for the most recent update.
Chapter-wise study material for every unit above
Chapter-wise study material for every unit above:
| Ch. | Chapter | Study material |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prose | |
| 2 | 2 Lost Spring | |
| 3 | 3 Deep Water | |
| 4 | 4 | The Rattrap | |
| 5 | Indigo | |
| 6 | Poets and Pancakes | |
| 7 | 7 The Interview | |
| 8 | 8 Going Places | |
| 11 | Poetry | |
| 12 | 2 Keeping Quiet | |
| 13 | 3 A Thing of Beauty | |
| 1 | Short stories | |
| 2 | Eveline | |
| 3 | A Wedding in Brownsville | |
| 4 | Tomorrow | |
| 5 | One Centimetre | |
| 11 | Poetry | |
| 12 | Poems by Milton | |
| 13 | Poems by Blake | |
| 14 | A Vision in a Dream: A Fragment | |
| 15 | Trees | |
| 16 | The Wild Swans at Coole | |
| 17 | Time and Time Again | |
| 18 | Blood | |
| 21 | Non-fiction | |
| 1 | The Third Level | |
| 2 | The Tiger King | |
| 3 | Journey to the end of the Earth | |
| 4 | The Enemy | |
| 5 | On The Face Of It | |
| 6 | Memories of Childhood |
You can also browse our wider Class 12 English notes, the full Class 12 notes hub, or the complete CBSE notes index for the rest of your subjects.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total marks for CBSE Class 12 English Core 2026-27?
The total is 100 marks: 80 for the theory paper and 20 for internal assessment (curriculum PDF, p. 13).
How is the 20 marks internal assessment divided in Class 12 English Core?
It splits evenly. Assessment of Listening and Speaking is 10 marks (5 listening + 5 speaking), and Project Work is 10 marks (5 report + 5 viva) (curriculum PDF, p. 13, 16).
What are the project work options for Class 12 English Core internal assessment?
The curriculum lists four accepted types: interview-based research, a podcast or documentary critique, creating a video or audio script, and staging a one-act play. You can work individually, in a pair, or in a group (curriculum PDF, p. 16).
Has CBSE deleted any chapters from the Class 12 English Core syllabus for 2026-27?
The English Core curriculum PDF we checked on 2026-07-13 does not list any deletions or rationalised content for the 2026-27 session. No chapters or poems are marked as removed.
What is the subject code for CBSE Class 12 English Core?
The subject code is 301. You can confirm this on the Group-L languages table in the official curriculum document on cbseacademic.nic.in (curriculum PDF, p. 1, 10).
Reference: CBSE Class 12 English Core curriculum document, session as stated on cbseacademic.nic.in.