CBSE Class 12 English Core Syllabus 2025-26: PDF Download, Marking Scheme, Book List

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the updated Class 12 English Core syllabus for the academic year 2025-26. Students appearing for the CBSE Class 12 board exams must check the latest syllabus to understand the paper pattern, chapter-wise topics, marking scheme, and internal assessment components.

This article includes the unit-wise syllabus, marking distribution, prescribed NCERT books, and steps to download the official PDF from the CBSE academic website.

CBSE 12th English Core Syllabus PDF 2025-26 – Download Link

Students can download the official syllabus directly from the CBSE website:

Download CBSE Class 12 English Core Syllabus PDF 2025-26

Overview of CBSE Class 12 English Core Syllabus 2025-26

• Total Marks: 100
  • Theory: 80 marks
  • Internal Assessment: 20 marks

The syllabus focuses on strengthening language proficiency, critical thinking, and literary analysis, with well-curated prose, poetry, and supplementary reading materials.

Steps to Download CBSE Class 12 English Core Syllabus 2025-26

Follow these simple steps:

1. Visit the official CBSE website: cbse.gov.in
2. Click on the “Academic Website” link.
3. Navigate to the “Curriculum” tab in the menu.
4. Select “Curriculum 2025-26” from the dropdown.
5. Choose “Senior Secondary Curriculum”.
6. Click on “Academic Electives” and select English Core.
7. Download and save the PDF for future reference.

CBSE Class 12 English Core Marking Scheme 2025-26

Passing Criteria: Minimum 33% marks in both theory and internal assessment separately.

Prescribed NCERT Books for CBSE 12th English Core 2025-26

1. Flamingo (Textbook in English for Class XII)

Prose:

• The Last Lesson
• Lost Spring
• Deep Water
• The Rattrap
• Indigo
• Poets and Pancakes
• The Interview
• Going Places

Poetry:

• My Mother at Sixty-Six
• Keeping Quiet
• A Thing of Beauty
• A Roadside Stand
• Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

2. Vistas (Supplementary Reader in English)

• The Third Level
• The Tiger King
• Journey to the End of the Earth
• The Enemy
• On the Face of It
• Memories of Childhood (Two extracts):
  • The Cutting of My Long Hair
  • We Too Are Human Beings

Key Features of the CBSE English Core Syllabus 2025-26

• Strengthens reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
• Encourages analytical thinking through prose and poetry.
• Focuses on real-world communication with essay and letter writing.
• Prepares students for internal assessments and board exams alike.

FAQs – CBSE 12th English Core Syllabus 2025-26