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CBSE English Elective Class 12 Syllabus 2025-26 - Updated Curriculum

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Latest English Elective Class 12 Syllabus PDF Download

If you want to score well in English Elective, the first step is to check the English Elective Class 12 Syllabus 2025-26. Once you know the exact chapters and writing sections included, it becomes easier to plan reading practice, improve answer writing, and manage revision smoothly.

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On this page, we’ve listed the complete English elective syllabus class 12 CBSE 2025-26 so you can follow a clear study path, stay organised, and prepare confidently for your board exams. This overview helps you track chapters, manage your study schedule, and ensure full coverage of prose, poetry, and writing sections before exams. Using the Class 12 English Syllabus as your roadmap will help you stay organised, confident, and fully prepared for the board examination.

CBSE English Elective Class 12 Syllabus 2025-26 - Course Structure

Section A Reading Comprehension (20 Marks)

Q.No

Component

Description

Marks

1

Literary/Discursive Passage

12 Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions, out of 15, from a literary or discursive passage of about 950–1000 words to assess comprehension, interpretation, inference, analysis, appreciation and vocabulary

1×12 = 12

2

Poem

4 out of 5 Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions to test interpretation, inference and appreciation of a poem of about 10–12 lines

1×4 = 4

3

Case-based Factual Passage

4 out of 5 Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions from a case-based factual passage (with visual input—statistical data, chart etc.), of 100–120 words to test interpretation, analysis and evaluation

1×4 = 4


Section B Applied Grammar (8 Marks)

Q.No

Component

Description

Marks

4

Transformation of Sentences

Eight Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions, out of ten, involving transformation of sentences

1×8 = 8


Creative Writing (20 Marks)

Q.No

Component

Description

Marks

5

Long Writing Tasks

Three Long Writing Tasks, out of four, to be answered in 120–150 words each as discursive and interpretative writing

5×3 = 15

6

Essay Writing

One Long Writing Task out of two to be answered in 120–150 words: An essay on an argumentative/discursive topic such as an article/report/speech pertaining to contemporary topics/issues

5×1 = 5


Section C

IV. Textbook (22 Marks)

Q.No

Component

Description

Marks

7(i)

Prose Extract

One Prose extract, out of two, to assess literary appreciation and analysis

6×1 = 6

7(ii)

Poetry Extract

One Poetry extract, out of two, to assess literary appreciation and analysis

6×1 = 6

8

Short Answer (30–40 words)

One Short Answer Question, out of two, to assess understanding, analysis and critical appreciation; inferential responses through critical thinking

2×1 = 2

9

Short Answer (40–50 words)

One Short Answer Question, out of two, to assess understanding, analysis and critical appreciation; inferential responses and drawing inferences in poetry and prose

3×1 = 3

10

Long Answer (120–150 words)

One Long Answer Question, out of two, to assess deeper understanding, interpretation, appreciation and drawing inferences; creative responses and personal points of view

5×1 = 5


Fiction (10 Marks)   

Q.No

Component

Description

Marks

11

Short Answer (30–40 words)

One Short Answer Question, out of two, to test understanding and appreciation of characters, events, episodes and interpersonal relationships

2×1 = 2

12

Short Answer (40–50 words)

One Short Answer Question, out of two, to test understanding and appreciation of characters, events, episodes and interpersonal relationships

3×1 = 3

13

Long Answer (120–150 words)

One Long Answer Question, out of two, to test in-depth understanding, interpretation, appreciation and drawing of global inferences; creative rendering and defending personal points of view

5×1 = 5


Note — Students can select one of the two prescribed texts.


V. Seminar (20 Marks)

Component

Description

Presentation

Book review / a play / a short story / a novel / novella (tale, fable, parable) followed by a question-answer session

Poetry Reading

Poetry reading followed by interpretative tasks based on close reading and literary analysis

Critical Review

Critical review of a film or a play

Theatre Workshop

Conducting a theatre workshop followed by discussion


Prescribed Books

1. Kaleidoscope — Textbook published by NCERT

Category

Content

Short Stories

I Sell my Dreams; Eveline; A Wedding in Brownsville

Poetry

A Lecture Upon the Shadow; Poems by Milton; Poems by Blake; Kubla Khan; Trees; The Wild Swans of Coole; Time and Time Again

Non-fiction

Freedom; The Mark on the Wall; Film-making; Why the Novel Matters; The Argumentative Indian

Drama

Chandalika — RABINDRANATH TAGORE


2. Fiction

Option

Book

Option 1

A Tiger for Malgudi

Option 2

The Financial Expert by R.K. Narayan (Novel)


English Elective — Class XII (2025–26) Question Paper Design 

Section

Competencies

Total Marks

% Weightage

Reading Comprehension

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

20

25%

Applied Grammar

Applying appropriate language conventions, comprehension using structures interactively, application, accuracy

8

10%

Creative Writing

Reasoning, appropriate style and tone, using appropriate format and fluency, inference, analysis, evaluating, creativity with fluency

20

25%

Textbook

Recalling, reasoning, appreciating literary convention, inference, analysis, creativity with fluency

22

27.5%

Fiction

Recalling, reasoning, appreciating literary conventions, illustrating with relevant quotations from the text, inferring, analyzing, evaluating and creating, giving opinions, justifying with fluency

10

12.50%

TOTAL (Theory)


80

100%

Seminar

Seeking information and clarifying, illustrating with relevant quotations from the texts, reasoning, diction, articulation, clarity of pronunciation, using appropriate language conventions, addressing participants using appropriate titles or nomenclatures and overall fluency

20

Grand Total


100


How Can Vedantu’s Class 12 English Elective Syllabus Help You Prepare More Effectively?

Understanding the class 12 english elective syllabus gives you a clear roadmap for board exam preparation. It helps you identify prescribed texts, writing formats, comprehension skills, and assessment areas so you can plan reading practice, improve answer writing, and revise systematically. When you study according to the syllabus, you avoid unnecessary topics and stay focused on what CBSE actually expects in the exam.


Keeping an english elective class 12 syllabus PDF download on your device makes it easier to track chapters anytime, plan daily study targets, and monitor your progress during revision. Having the syllabus available offline also helps you quickly confirm exam topics before tests, ensuring complete coverage and confident preparation for the Class 12 board exams.

Important Study Materials Links: CBSE Class 12 English

S. No

Other Study Materials Links CBSE Class 12 English

1.

CBSE Class 12 English Revision Notes

2.

CBSE Class 12 English Important Questions

3.

CBSE Class 12 English NCERT Books

4.

CBSE Class 12 English NCERT Solutions

5. 

CBSE Class 12 English PYQPs

6.

CBSE Class 12 English Sample Papers

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FAQs on CBSE English Elective Class 12 Syllabus 2025-26 - Updated Curriculum

1. What topics are included in the English elective class 12 syllabus 2025-26?

The syllabus includes reading comprehension, applied grammar, creative writing, prescribed prose and poetry from NCERT Kaleidoscope, fiction text study, and internal assessment such as seminar or presentation work. It focuses on improving analytical reading, interpretation, and structured writing skills.

2. Where can I find the latest English elective syllabus for Class 12 CBSE 2025-26?

You can check the updated syllabus on Vedantu or official CBSE resources. It provides details about exam pattern, marks distribution, prescribed books, and assessment sections so students can plan preparation accurately.

3. How is the Class 12 English Elective syllabus different from the English Core?

The Class 12 English elective syllabus is more literature-focused and analytical compared to the English Core. It emphasises deeper text interpretation, critical appreciation, and advanced writing tasks, making it suitable for students interested in humanities or language-based studies.

4. Is the English Elective class 12 syllabus difficult for board exams?

The English elective class 12 syllabus is manageable if you read the prescribed texts regularly, practise writing answers in proper format, and revise literary themes and interpretations. Consistent practice and understanding of concepts are more important than memorisation.

5. How can I download the English elective class 12 syllabus PDF for offline use?

Students can download the syllabus PDF from Vedantu. Keeping the PDF saved helps you quickly check chapters, track progress, and plan revisions anytime without needing internet access.