CBSE Class 12 History Syllabus 2027: Download PDF, Marks Distribution, Topics and Exam Pattern

Part

Theme Title

Marks

Part I

Themes in Indian History Part I: Ancient Indian themes

25

Part II

Themes in Indian History Part II: Medieval Indian themes

25

Part III

Themes in Indian History Part III: Modern Indian themes

25

Map Work

Map work related to prescribed themes

5

Theory Total

Written examination

80

Internal Assessment

Project work and viva voce

20

Grand Total

Theory plus internal assessment

100

Theme No. and Title

Learning outcomes

1. Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilization

Investigate, explore and interpret early urban centres and social institutions. Explain the multilayered features of the Harappan civilization. Interpret archaeological and contemporary sources, including the perspectives of the Archaeological Survey of India and historians.

2. Kings, Farmers and Towns: Early States and Economies, c. 600 BCE–600 CE

Critically evaluate political and economic developments in the subcontinent. Decode inscriptional evidence. Analyze how inscriptions have shaped understanding of political and economic processes.

3. Kinship, Caste and Class: Early Societies, c. 600 BCE–600 CE

Examine issues of social history. Analyze social norms through ancient Indian scriptures. Study the varied dimensions of the Mahabharata and understand how historians use it to investigate early society.

4. Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings: Cultural Developments, c. 600 BCE–600 CE

Compare major religious developments in early India. Explain the significance of religious sculpture and interpret the stories represented in it. Study Buddhist sculpture and organize visual evidence through an illustrated album or similar activity.

Theme No. and Title

Learning outcomes

5. Through the Eyes of Travellers: Perceptions of Society, c. tenth to seventeenth centuries

Understand the important features of social history described by travellers. Use foreign travellers’ accounts to examine the social, political and economic life of medieval India under different rulers.

6. Bhakti-Sufi Traditions: Changes in Religious Beliefs and Devotional Texts, c. eighth to eighteenth centuries

Understand major religious developments. Summarize the philosophies of Bhakti and Sufi saints. Explain how religious movements promoted unity, peace, harmony and brotherhood.

7. An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara, c. fourteenth to sixteenth centuries

Classify the architectural contributions of the Vijayanagara Empire. Analyse foreign travellers’ accounts to interpret the political, social and cultural life of the city. Assess city planning, water management and administrative systems.

8. Peasants, Zamindars and the State: Agrarian Society and the Mughal Empire, c. sixteenth–seventeenth centuries

Explain agrarian developments and the relationship between the Mughal state and agriculture. Compare agrarian changes during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Prepare a comparative table showing differences in the agrarian sector.

Theme No. and Title

Learning outcomes

9. Colonialism and the Countryside: Exploring Official Archives

Evaluate British revenue systems and understand the economic aspects of colonialism. Analyze colonial official records and reports to identify the different interests of British authorities and Indians. Discuss possible measures for protecting peasants and artisans.

10. Rebels and the Raj: 1857 Revolt and its Representations

Examine the events of 1857. Analyze rebel planning and coordination. Trace the spread and momentum of the revolt. Explain how the revolt created a vision of unity among Indians. Interpret visual images to understand nationalist and British representations.

11. Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement: Civil Disobedience and Beyond

Arrange the national movement chronologically. Explain the role of ideas, individuals and institutions under Gandhian leadership. Assess Gandhi’s contribution and mass appeal. Interpret newspapers, biographies, autobiographies, diaries and letters as historical sources.

12. Framing the Constitution: The Beginning of a New Era

Explain the role of the Constituent Assembly in framing the Constitution of India. Analyze how debates and discussions on important issues shaped the Constitution and the beginning of a new political era.

Assessment period

Periodic Work

Assessment focus

Marks

April–July

Topic selection, background reading, synopsis and initiation

Introduction, purpose, objectives, hypothesis or research question, literature review, evidence and methodology

6

August–October

Planning, action plan and data collection

Significance and relevance of the topic, feasibility, organization and challenges encountered

5

November–January

Data analysis, interpretation and conclusion

Content analysis, relevance, conclusion, limitations, bibliography, annexures and overall presentation

5

January–February

Final assessment and viva voce

Presentation of the project and questions by internal and external examiners

4

Total

Project work and viva voce

20

Section

Number of MCQs

MCQ marks

Short-answer: number of questions

Short-answer marks

Long-answer: number of questions

Long-answer marks

Source-based: number of questions

Source-based marks

Total

Part I

7

7

2

6

1

8

1

4

25

Part II

7

7

2

6

1

8

1

4

25

Part III

7

7

2

6

1

8

1

4

25

Map work

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

5

Theory total

21

21

6

18

3

24

3

12

80