CBSE Class 12 English Core Syllabus for Board Exam 2026-27, Download PDF Here

Section A 

Reading Skills-22 Marks

I. Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passage 

1. To evaluate understanding, interpretation, analysis, and inference, one unseen text is used. Inference will also be used to evaluate vocabulary. The passage could be literary, descriptive, or factual.

2. To evaluate understanding, interpretation, analysis, inference, and evaluation, one unseen case-based factual passage with verbal and visual inputs such as charts and statistical data is used.

Note: Both passages will have a cumulative word limit of 700–750 words. There will be multiple choice, objective, and short answer questions that require responses of 40–50 words.

Section B 

Creative Writing Skills- 18 Marks 

3. Notice, up to 50 words. One out of the two given questions to be answered. 

(4 Marks: Format :1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar: 1). 

4. Formal/Informal Invitation and Reply, up to 50 words. One out of the two given questions to be answered. 

(4 Marks: Format: 1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar :1). 

5. Letters that require responses in between 120 and 150 words and are based on verbal and visual information. Types of letters include resumes and applications for jobs containing biographical information. letters to the editor (expressing ideas or viewpoints on matters of public concern). Answer one of the two questions provided.

(5 Marks: Format: 1/Organisation of Ideas:1/Content:2/ Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar :1). 

6. Article/ Report Writing, descriptive and analytical in nature, based on verbal inputs, to be answered in 120-150 words. One out of the two given questions to be answered. 

(5 Marks:Format:1/Organisation of Ideas:1/Content:2/Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar:1).

Section C 

Literature Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text-40 Marks

A range of assessment items, such as multiple-choice, objective, short-, and long-answer questions, will be included in this part to gauge students' understanding, interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and extrapolation beyond the text. 

7. One Poetry extract out of two, from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and appreciation. (6x1=6 Marks) 

8. One Prose extract out of two, from the book Vistas, to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation and appreciation. (4x1=4 Marks) 

9. One prose extract out of two from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. (6x1=6Marks) 

10. Short answer type questions (from Prose and Poetry from the book Flamingo), to be answered in 40-50 words each. Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. Five questions out of the six given, are to be answered. (5x2=10 Marks) 

11. Short answer type questions, from Prose (Vistas), to be answered in 40- 50 words each. Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. Any two out of three questions to be done. (2x2=4 Marks) 

12. One long answer question from Flamingo's prose or poetry that requires a response of 120–150 words. To evaluate extrapolation beyond and across the text, questions may be based on an incident, theme, passage, extract, or event. The student's response to the question will be critical and analytical. You can complete either of the two questions. (1x5=5 Marks) 

13. To evaluate global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the text, there will be one long answer question based on the chapters of the book Vistas that requires a response of 120–150 words. Questions that need analytical and evaluative answers based on themes, events, and incidents as points of reference. You can complete either of the two questions. (1x5=5 Marks)

Download CBSE Class 12 English Core Syllabus 2026-27 PDF

Section

Competencies 

Total marks 

Reading Skills

Conceptual understanding, decoding, Analyzing, inferring, interpreting, appreciating, literary, conventions and vocabulary, summarizing and using appropriate format/s.

22

Creative Writing Skills

Conceptual Understanding, application of rules, Analysis, Reasoning, appropriate style and tone, using appropriate format and fluency, inference, analysis, evaluation and creativity.

18

Literature, Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text 

Recalling, reasoning, critical thinking, appreciating literary convention, inference, and analysis, creativity with fluency.

40

TOTAL

80

Internal Assessment

Assessment of Listening and Speaking Skills  

• Listening  

• Speaking 

10

5

5

Project Work

10

Grand Total

100