CBSE Class 12 Geography Exam Pattern 2026 with Marking Scheme and Topic-wise Weightage

Nov 12, 2025, 18:14 IST

The CBSE Class 12 Geography exam for 2026 is a 100-mark assessment, split into a 70-mark Theory paper and 30-mark Practical Assessment. The theory component is equally divided: 35 marks for Fundamentals of Human Geography and 35 marks for India: People and Economy. The paper includes a diverse range of questions (MCQs, Source-Based, Short/Long Answers, and Map Questions), emphasizing competency-based learning. Students must utilize the full 30 marks practical assessment for a high overall score.

CBSE Class 12 Geography Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme 2025-26: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct the Class 12 Geography examination in 2026 based on a clear, structured pattern that assesses both theoretical understanding and practical skills. The total subject marks are divided into a 70-mark Theory paper and a 30-mark Practical Assessment, reflecting the dual nature of the subject.

The 70-mark theory paper is equally distributed, with 35 marks allocated to Fundamentals of Human Geography and 35 marks to India: People and Economy. The question paper includes various formats, such as Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Source-Based Questions, Short Answer, Long Answer, and Map-Based Questions, emphasizing competency-based learning and the application of geographical concepts. Students must thoroughly familiarize themselves with the unit-wise weightage and the specific breakdown of question types to strategically plan their study and maximize their scores in the final board examination.

CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026: Key Highlights

Check the below table to get the key pointers of CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern:

Board 

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

Class

12

Streams

Science, Commerce, Arts/Humanities

Question Paper Pattern 

  • MCQs: 20%

  • Competency-based questions (MCQs, case-based, source-based): 50%

  • Short answer/long answer type questions: 30%

Duration 

3 hours 

Mode of Exam

Offline, Pen and Paper 

Number of subjects 

5 or 6 (as elected by the student) 

Maximum Marks 

100 (theory + practical)

  • 80 marks theory + 20 marks Project works for Commerce subjects (Accountancy, Business Studies & Economics) 

  • 70 marks theory +30 marks practical for Physics, Chemistry & Biology 

  • 80 marks Maths written exam + 20 marks internal assessment 

Each Subject Passing Marks 

33%

Passing marks for the overall exam 

Aggregate 33%

Official Website

cbse.nic.in 

CBSE Class 12 Geography: Chapter-Wise Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

The table outlines the CBSE 12th Geography exam pattern:

Section

Question Number

Type of Question

Marks per Question

Section A

1-17

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1 mark

Section B

18-19

Source-based Questions

3 marks

Section C

20-23

Short Answer Type Questions

3 marks

Section D

24-28

Long Answer Type Questions

5 marks

Section E

29-30

Map-based Questions

5 marks

CBSE Class 12 Geography Exam Pattern 2026: Unit-wise Marks distribution

The following table mentions the weightage distribution across various themes of CBSE Class 12 Geography curriculum for the upcoming board exam:

Units

Weightage

Book 1- Fundamentals of Human Geography

Human Geography

3

The World Population Density Distribution and Growth and Human Development

8

Primary Activities, Secondary Activities, Tertiary and Quaternary Activities, Transport, Communication and Trade, International Trade

19

Map work

5

Book 2 -India People and Economy

Population Distribution Density Growth and Composition

5

Human Settlements

3

Land Resources and Agriculture, Water Resources, Mineral And Energy Resources, Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context

10

Transport and Communication, International Trade

7

Geographical Perspective on selected issues and problems

5

Map Work (Based on Marking and labelling on a political Map of India

5

Grand Total

70

Weightage Distribution for Geography Practical

Chapter No.

Chapter Name

Weightage

1

Data-its source and Compilation

18

2

Data Processing

3

Graphical Representation of Data

4

Spatial Information Technology

7

Practical Record Book and Viva Voce

5

Total

30

A thorough understanding of the CBSE Class 12 Geography Exam Pattern and the precise unit-wise weightage for 2026 is the foundation of a winning study strategy. By focusing preparation time on the high-weightage units, practice to the increased percentage of Competency-Based Questions, students can ensure they cover the syllabus effectively and are well-prepared for the final board examination.

Also Check:

CBSE Class 12 Physics Exam Pattern 2026

CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2026

CBSE Class 12 Biology Exam Pattern 2026

Apeksha Agarwal
Apeksha Agarwal

Content Writer

Apeksha Agarwal, a passionate and aspiring journalist, is dedicated to delivering impactful stories and insightful reports. As an education beat writer, she focuses on providing well-researched and engaging news content. Apeksha's strong foundation in journalism and media is complemented by her creativity, dedication, and attention to detail. Her goal is to inform and inspire audiences through meaningful narratives while continuously adapting to the ever-changing media landscape. She can be reached at apeksha.agarwal@jagrannewmedia.com.

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