NCERT Syllabus for Class 12 English 2025-26 is carefully developed in the sense that it reinforces the reading, writing, analytical and communication abilities of the students. This syllabus is mandatory for all Class 12 students regardless of the streams of Science, Commerce, or Arts that they choose, and is prescribed by the CBSE, as well as many state education boards. Class 12 NCERT English curriculum has three book series, namely Flamingo, Vistas, and Kaleidoscope (Elective English) that provide a well-balanced blend of prose, poetry, drama and literary essays to increase linguistic and literary competence.
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Since English is significant in the CBSE Class 12 Board Exams, it requires students to dedicate some regular time to learn the language, among other subjects. The knowledge of the new CBSE examination pattern, keeping in pace with the Class 12 CBSE NCERT syllabus and the CBSE Class 12 date sheet 2026, can significantly enhance the management of time and exam preparation. Students are able to develop good comprehension skills, develop their writing skills with the aid of the NCERT English syllabus, and achieve better results in board exams as well as competitive entrance tests.
The NCERT 2025-26 Class 12 English Exam consists of three well-outlined segments: Reading Skills, Writing Skills, and Literature, which evaluate understanding, imagination, critical intellect and precision of the language. In the new NCERT Syllabus for Class 12 English, three textbooks are prescribed, viz., Flamingo (Core), Vistas (Supplementary Reader) and Kaleidoscope (Elective).
| Sections | Title | Weightage |
|
A |
Reading Section | 22 |
|
B |
Writing Section | 18 |
|
C |
Literature Section | 40 |
| Total | 80 | |
| Internal Assessment | 20 | |
| Grand total | 100 | |
The objective of the section is to assess the student in their reading, understanding, interpretation, analysis, and inference of meaning in various texts.
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Section B of the Class 12 English NCERT Syllabus for 2025-26 is the writing section, which carries a weightage of 18 marks. This section evaluates the candidates' ability to write in various styles.
Notice Writing (Up to 50 words): One of the two given questions must be answered.
Formal/Informal Invitation and Reply (Up to 50 words): One of the two given questions must be answered.
Letters based on verbal or visual inputs (120-150 words): This includes letter types such as job applications with bio-data or resumes, and letters to the editor.
Article/Report Writing (120-150 words): One of the two given questions must be answered.
The Literature section carries a weightage of 40 marks. Questions in this section are based on the Literature textbooks and long reading texts. The prescribed NCERT Book for Class 12 English is:
Flamingo – Core textbook containing prose and poetry.
Vistas – Supplementary reader with engaging short stories and narratives.
Kaleidoscope (Elective) – A rich collection of short stories, poetry, drama, and non-fiction essays for students who opt for the English Elective.
This section consists of various types of questions, such as Multiple Choice Questions, Objective Type Questions, Short Answer Type Questions, and Long Answer Type Questions. These questions check different skills like comprehension, reading, understanding, explaining, and figuring out the meaning beyond the text.
| Sections | Title | Weightage |
|
A |
Reading Section | 20 |
|
B |
Applied Grammar and Creative Writing | 28 |
|
C |
Textbook and Fiction | 32 |
| Total | 80 | |
| Seminar | 20 | |
| Grand Total | 100 | |
The Class 12 English NCERT Syllabus 2025-26 provides a good combination of reading, writing and literature to enhance knowledge of language and the power of thinking. This consists of three prescribed texts, i.e. Flamingo, Vistas, and Kaleidoscope (Elective), that contribute to improvement in understanding and expression in addition to making the learners fit into the board exams and beyond.
|
NCERT English Books for Class 12th | Chapters | Summary |
| Flamingo - Prose | 1. The Last Lesson | A French village school’s final French lesson under German rule. Highlights language, loss, and patriotism. |
| 2. Lost Spring | Stories of two exploited children: Saheb (ragpicker) and Mukesh (bangle-maker). Child labour and poverty. | |
|
3. Deep Water | The author’s childhood fear of water and his determined battle to overcome it. | |
|
4. The Rattrap | A peddler is reformed by kindness and returns stolen money; themes of trust, redemption. | |
|
5. Indigo | Gandhi’s Champaran movement for indigo sharecroppers fought for justice using truth and non-violence. | |
| Eccentric life at Gemini film studios; observation on creativity, gossip, and chaos. | ||
| Examines interviews as a literary/journalistic form; includes perspectives of writers and celebrities. | ||
| 8. Going Places | Sophie fantasises about a glamorous life and meeting a footballer. Deals with adolescent dreams and reality. | |
| Flamingo - Poetry | Poet reflects on her mother’s ageing, mortality, and her own feelings of separation. | |
| Advocates for silence, introspection, world unity, and peace. | ||
| Celebrates the enduring beauty of nature and art that uplifts amidst hardships. | ||
| Rural people’s hope for progress; city dwellers’ apathy. | ||
| 5. Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers | Aunt Jennifer’s embroidery symbolises her yearning for freedom from patriarchal society. | |
| Vistas - Supplementary Reader | Charley fantasises about a mysterious train station as an escape from modern life stress. | |
| The king’s pride in killing tigers leads to his ironic downfall; a satirical tale on fate. | ||
| Antarctica travel inspires reflections on environmental change and interconnectedness. | ||
|
4. The Enemy | Japanese doctor must choose between patriotism and humanity when treating an enemy soldier. | |
| A boy with facial burns and an old man learn to accept themselves and overcome isolation. | ||
| 6. Memories of Childhood | Two autobiographical stories focused on caste and cultural discrimination in childhood. | |
| Kaleidoscope |
SHORT STORIES – INTRODUCTION | |
| A magical tale about Frau Frieda, who profits by selling her prophetic dreams, revealing the mystery of intuition and fate. | ||
|
2. Eveline | A young Irish woman, torn between duty to her family and the chance to escape, grapples with paralysis and indecision. | |
| Recounts an unexpected reunion and lost love among Jewish immigrants, exploring memory and cultural roots. | ||
|
4. Tomorrow | An old woman, Miss Swaffer, waits years for her son’s return, poignantly showing the pain of hope and disappointment. | |
| 5. One Centimetre | A subtle Chinese family tale about a daughter's emotional distance from her mother, reflecting generational gaps. | |
|
POETRY – INTRODUCTION | ||
| A metaphysical poem that uses a shadow as a metaphor for the changing nature of love over time. | ||
| Selections explore vision, faith, and endurance in adversity—most notably in 'On His Blindness.' | ||
|
3. Poems by black | Includes themes of innocence, experience, nature, and the social order through striking imagery and allegories. | |
|
4. Kubla Khan | A visionary, dream-like poem describing Xanadu and the creative power and danger of imagination. | |
|
5. Trees | Celebrates the simplicity and beauty of nature, stating that nothing made by man can surpass a tree. | |
| Yeats reflects on change, ageing, and the enduring beauty of nature as he observes swans at Coole Park. | ||
| Ponders memory, time, and identity in the narrator’s return to his childhood home. | ||
| 8. Blood | Expresses angst about social inequality and history, using blood as a symbol for pain that runs through generations. | |
|
NON-FICTION – INTRODUCTION | ||
|
1. Freedom | A witty essay analysing individual liberty, discipline, and the balance needed for genuine freedom. | |
| Stream-of-consciousness narration; meditation on life, war, and reality sparked by noticing a mark on the wall. | ||
|
3. Film making | Renowned filmmaker shares insights into the art, process, and emotion involved in creating movies. | |
| Argues for the value of novels in capturing the complexity and essence of real life. | ||
| Sen reflects on India’s history of debate, plurality, and tolerance, highlighting its importance in modern times. | ||
| 6. On Science Fiction | Discusses science fiction’s roots and impact, drawing links with myth and imagination in human society. | |
|
DRAMA - INTRODUCTION | ||
|
1. Chandalika | Centres on an 'untouchable' girl’s search for self-worth and spiritual freedom, challenging social norms and caste discrimination. The play explores identity, dignity, and transformation, set in Buddhist India. | |
| 2. Broken Images | A psychological drama where a celebrated writer faces her alter ego on live TV. The work explores themes of identity, public versus private selves, language, and the shifting nature of truth and fame. | |
Download Links:
NCERT Class 12 English syllabus 2025-26 is accessible online in an easily readable PDF format and, therefore, is easy to download and study. As the syllabus is mandatory in the CBSE and most senior secondary schools follow it, it is important to obtain the right version in preparation for exams. The official English syllabus for Class 12 CBSE 2025 is available and can be downloaded by the students using the careers360 website or the NCERT site. This will make sure that they read the most recent chapters, subjects, and exam-related material during the year.
Step 1: Click on the link https://cbseacademic.nic.in/curriculum_2026.html.
Step 2: A page will open on the screen. Click on "Senior Secondary Curriculum Class (XI-XII).
Step 3: Then click on 'Languages- (Group - L)' and click on the English Core subject.
Step 4: The Class 12 English Syllabus will be displayed on the screen.
Note: Students can download the NCERT Syllabus for Class 12 English 2025-26 PDF by clicking on the link provided.
The English syllabus for Class 12 CBSE 2025 gives a calm and organised structure to the students, which makes learning easy and without any pressure. It gives details about the prescribed textbooks, crucial chapters, and the pattern of examination so that students can plan on preparations in a clear and focused manner. With this syllabus, not only will the students be better prepared to take exams, but also improve their overall language competence.
The CBSE Class 12 Syllabus provides clear and detailed explanations, allowing students to grasp the difficult topics easily.
It also helps in the preparation for competitive exams.
The Class 12 English syllabus NCERT helps students in creating a study plan, organising their study materials, and preparing accordingly.
The syllabus gives the complete outline of different chapters and units, helping students understand the marks distribution and focus on high-scoring parts.
By following the NCERT syllabus, students can deepen their knowledge and understanding of English, which is important for both academic exams and future opportunities.
NCERT Syllabus for Class 12 Other Subjects
The CBSE Class 12 English exam cannot be prepared without a balanced preparation to enhance the reading and writing, grammar, and literature interpretation skills. The NCERT English textbooks, flamingo, vista and kaleidoscope are significant in creating conceptual clarity and developing exam-ready knowledge. A well-planned revision and an understanding of the exam pattern help the students to achieve high marks without any doubts. Through appropriate preparation guidelines, there will be good time management and high accuracy and overall performance in the board examination.
Reading Section:
This section focuses on comprehension. Students have been given an extra 5 minutes to read the question paper.
It is advised to use those 5 mins to read the comprehension section after quickly going through the question paper.
This way helps students understand the comprehension, allowing them to answer questions more confidently.
Regular reading should be a part of the study routine to increase imagination, perspective, and critical thinking.
Students should complete this section within 45 minutes to manage time for other parts of the exam.
Practising comprehension regularly improves speed and accuracy in answering.
Writing Section:
This section consists of writing letters, emails, notices, reports, paragraphs, etc.
Students should make themselves comfortable with the format of each writing type and need to practice at least twice before the exam.
Avoid rushing in this section; take your time to allow creative thoughts to come into the writing.
Keep the language simple, but make it appealing and to the point.
Need to pay attention to the word limit and format while practising, to answer in the exam skillfully and confidently.
Literature:
This section allows you to score well, as it tests your understanding of the chapters.
Avoid stretching the answers; giving unnecessary details wastes time.
Keep your answers short and within the given word count.
Focus on key points while answering to ensure clarity and precision.
Go through the previous year's CBSE Class 12th question papers to understand the exam pattern.
Practice writing short yet best answers to improve time management during the exam.
It can be difficult to remain focused and keep in mind that you are preparing for Class 12 English, as it has long chapters, poems, and grammar exercises. However, through proper strategies, it is possible to be more focused, comprehend lessons, and learn more effectively. The following are some simple and useful methods to ensure that you are attentive and covering the CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Literature will carry 40 marks, and Language (Reading: 22 marks, Creative Writing Skill: 18 marks) also totals 40 marks in the Class 12 English Exam.
The CBSE English grammar for class 12 is divided into two parts. The first half of CBSE Class 12 English Grammar assists students with writing abilities, while the second portion of CBSE Class 12 English Grammar helps students with reading skills.
Yes, there are prescribed poems in the Class 12 NCERT English syllabus, i.e. Flamingo includes five poems like My Mother at Sixty-Six and A Thing of Beauty.
The prescribed books for Class 12 English in the NCERT syllabus are Flamingo (English Reader) and Vistas (Supplementary Reader).
The Class 12 English (Core) syllabus covers Reading Comprehension, Creative Writing Skills, and Literature.
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