CBSE Class 11 English Core Syllabus 2025-26: PDF Download

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the Class 11 English Core syllabus for the 2025-26 academic year. This comprehensive guide outlines the three main sections—Reading Skills, Creative Writing & Grammar, and Literature Texts—along with internal assessment details and recommended textbooks. Students can download the official syllabus PDF from the CBSE academic portal or via the direct link below.

Download CBSE Class 11 English Core Syllabus PDF

Students can access and download the CBSE Class 11 English Core Syllabus 2025-26 in PDF format:

• Download CBSE Class 11 English Core Syllabus 2025-26 PDF

CBSE Class 11 English Core Syllabus Structure

The syllabus is divided into three parts for external evaluation (80 marks) and one internal assessment component (20 marks), making up a total of 100 marks.

Part A – Reading Skills (26 Marks)

• Competencies:
  • Understanding and interpreting unseen passages
  • Inferring meaning and appreciating literary devices
  • Summarising and using appropriate formats

Part B – Creative Writing & Grammar (23 Marks)

• Competencies:
  • Application of grammar rules and vocabulary
  • Writing formats such as letters, essays, and reports
  • Creative expression with correct tone and style

Part C – Literature Texts (31 Marks)

• Competencies:
  • Critical reading of prescribed texts
  • Analysis of themes, characters, and literary conventions
  • Appreciation of prose and poetry from two textbooks
    

Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

Listening and Speaking Skills (10 Marks)

• Listening: Comprehension exercises based on audio inputs
• Speaking:
  • Individual speech (5 marks)
  • Group discussion or role play (5 marks)

Project Work (10 Marks)

• Independent or group project on a prescribed topic
• Assessment of research, presentation, and language skills
  

Recommended Textbooks for English Core

CBSE recommends two NCERT publications for Class 11 English Core:

Hornbill: Textbook in English

1. The Portrait of a Lady (Prose)
2. A Photograph (Poem)
3. We’re Not Afraid to Die… (Prose)
4. Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues (Prose)
5. The Laburnum Top (Poem)
6. The Voice of the Rain (Poem)
7. Childhood (Poem)
8. The Adventure (Prose)
9. Silk Road (Prose)
10. Father to Son (Prose)

Snapshots: Supplementary Reader

1. The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse (Prose)
2. The Address (Prose)
3. Mother’s Day (Play)
4. Birth (Prose)
5. The Tale of Melon City (Prose)

How to Use the Syllabus

1. Download the PDF and bookmark it for revision.
2. Divide your study schedule according to Parts A, B, and C.
3. Practice sample comprehension passages and creative writing prompts.
4. Read and annotate the prescribed chapters and poems in Hornbill and Snapshots.
5. Prepare for internal assessment by practicing listening exercises, group discussions, and a mini-project.

Frequently Asked Questions