SyllabusCBSE class 12 English Core syllabus, 2026-27
Units, chapters and marks for English Core, from the CBSE curriculum for the session 2026-27.
- Board and class
- CBSE, class 12
- Theory paper
- 80 marks, 3 hours
- Internal assessment
- 20 marks
- Total
- 100 marks
- Official file
- Open the CBSE file (PDF)
- Read on
- 12 November 2026
About this syllabus
English Core is divided by skill: reading, creative writing and literature. Literature, from the textbook Flamingo and the supplementary reader Vistas, is half the paper. The file gives the marks and the word limit of every writing task, and even how the marks of each are split between format, content and accuracy.
Marks by unit
| Unit | Marks | Share of the paper |
|---|---|---|
| Section A: Reading Skills | 22 | 28% |
| Section B: Creative Writing Skills | 18 | 22% |
| Section C: Literature | 40 | 50% |
| Total, theory | 80 | 100% |
Units and chapters
- Section A: Reading Skills
- Two unseen passages, 12 + 10 marks, with a combined length of 700 to 750 words; one may be case-based with data or charts
- Section B: Creative Writing Skills
- Notice (4 marks)
- Formal or informal invitation and reply (4 marks)
- Letter: job application or letter to the editor (5 marks)
- Article or report writing (5 marks)
- Section C: Literature
- Extracts and questions from the textbook Flamingo (prose and poetry)
- Extracts and questions from the supplementary reader Vistas
Where the marks are
The theory paper is 80 marks in 3 hours. The largest share goes to Section C: Literature with 40 marks, which is 50% of the paper. The smallest is Section B: Creative Writing Skills with 18 marks. The two largest entries in the table together carry 62 marks, 78% of the paper.
The other marks
| Part | Marks | How it is split |
|---|---|---|
| Internal assessment | 20 | Assessment of listening and speaking skills 10 (5 + 5) and project work 10 |
Using this to plan
- Writing tasks are marked for format as well as content. A correct format earns a mark before a word of content is read.
- Reading is 22 marks on passages you have not seen. Practise with timed passages, including ones with data.
- Literature questions ask for inference and evaluation, so knowing the story is not enough. Know why characters act as they do.
Make a study plan from these marks Official file
Questions people ask
How many marks is the CBSE class 12 English Core theory paper?
The theory paper is 80 marks. With internal assessment (20) it makes a total of 100.
Which unit carries the most marks in class 12 English Core?
Section C: Literature, with 40 of the 80 marks, according to the CBSE curriculum for 2026-27.
Where is the official syllabus?
On CBSE's academic website, cbseacademic.nic.in, under Curriculum. This page links to the exact file for English Core.
Always check the official file. This page is a summary of the CBSE curriculum for 2026-27, made from the subject file on cbseacademic.nic.in, which we read on 12 November 2026. CBSE can revise a syllabus by circular during the year. Before an examination, download the current file from the official site. This is an independent site, not connected with CBSE.