CBSE 12th English Core New Syllabus 2026-27 Released at cbseacademic.nic.in

Reading Skills

Conceptual understanding, decoding, analysing, inferring, interpreting, appreciating, literary conventions and vocabulary, summarising, 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 Textbook and Supplementary Reading Text

Recalling, reasoning, critical thinking, appreciating literary convention, inference, analysis, and 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

Passage 1

One unseen passage to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis and inference. Vocabulary assessment will also be assessed via inference (Factual, descriptive or literary)

Passage 2

One unseen case-based factual passage with verbal/visual inputs like statistical data, charts, etc., to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, and evaluation.

Marks

22 marks

Combined word limit for both passages

700-750 words

Question type

Multiple choice questions / Objective type questions and Short answer type questions (to be answered in 40-50 words)

Notice

Up to 50 words

One out of the two questions

4 marks

1 mark for Format, 2 marks for Content and 1 mark for Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar

Formal/Informal Invitation and Reply

Up to 50 words

One out of the two questions

4 marks

1 mark for Format, 2 marks for Content and 1 mark for Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar

Letters (based on verbal/visual input), an application for a job with bio data/letters to the editor, giving suggestions/ opinions on public interest

Approx 120-150 words

One out of the two questions

5 marks

1 mark for Format, 1 mark for Organisation of Ideas, 2 marks for Content and 1 mark for Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar

Article/Report Writing (descriptive and analytical)

120-150 words

One out of the two questions

5 marks

1 mark for Format, 1 mark for Organisation of Ideas, 2 marks for Content and 1 mark for Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar

Question Type and Source

Details

Word limit

Questions to be attempted

Marks

Objective-type questions (One Poetry extract from Flamingo)

Comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and appreciation

-

One out of two

6x1=6 Marks

Objective-type questions (One Prose extract from Vistas)

Comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation and appreciation

-

One out of two

4x1=4 Marks

Objective-type questions (One Prose extract from Flamingo)

Comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation

-

One out of two

6x1=6 Marks

Short answer type questions (Prose and Poetry from Flamingo)

Elicit inferential responses through critical thinking

40-50 words

Five out of six

5x2=10 Marks

Short answer questions (Prose from Vistas)

Elicit inferential responses through critical thinking

40-50 words

Two out of three

2x2=4 Marks

One long answer-type question (Prose/Poetry from Flamingo)

Assess extrapolation beyond/across the text, elicit analytical and evaluative responses incident/theme/passage/extract/event.

120-150 words

One out of two

1x5=5 Marks

One long-answer type question (Chapters from Vistas)

Assess global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the text, provide analytical and evaluative responses using incidents, events, and themes.

120-150 words

One out of two

1x5=5 Marks

Prose

Poetry

The Last Lesson

My Mother at Sixty-Six

Lost Spring

Keeping Quiet

Deep Water

A Thing of Beauty

The Rattrap

A Roadside Stand

Indigo

Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Poets and Pancakes

The Interview

Going Places