CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus 2024-25 (Out): Download Official PDF, Previous Year Papers, Sample Papers, Reduced Syllabus, NCERT Solutions

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Jyotismita Maitra

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The CBSE Class 12 English syllabus for the academic year 2024-2025 is now available on the official CBSE website. The exam is scheduled for March 11, 2025, for all streams, and the revised syllabus will be followed for the current academic year.

The syllabus is divided into three sections:

  • Section A: Reading Skills (22 Marks)
  • Section B: Writing Skills (18 Marks)

    Includes various writing tasks like Notice Writing, Invitation Writing, Letter Writing, and Article Writing.

  • Section C: Literature (40 Marks)

    The literature section consists of two prescribed books:

    • Flamingo (English Reader) – Prose and poetry chapters.
    • Vistas (Supplementary Reader) – A collection of supplementary stories.

“The Literature section carries the largest weightage, contributing to 50% of the total theory marks.”

CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus Trending News

Also check: CBSE Class 12 English Question Paper with Solution PDF

Is the CBSE Released Syllabus for 2024-25 Class 12?

Yes, CBSE has released the syllabus for 2024-25 Class 12 of all subjects at the portal, cbseacademic.nic.in.

For more details on CBSE Class 12 Syllabus for 2024-25 Click here

CBSE Class 12 English Deleted Syllabus 2024-25

The topics that were excluded from the CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus in the academic year 2023-24 remain excluded this academic year too.

CBSE Class 12 English Deleted Syllabus

How Many Chapters in English Class 12 CBSE?

Component Type Chapters Total Chapters
Flamingo: English Reader
Prose
  • The Last Lesson
  • Lost Spring
  • Deep Water
  • The Rattrap
  • Indigo
  • Poets and Pancakes
  • The Interview
  • Going Places
8
Poetry
  • My Mother at Sixty-Six
  • Keeping Quiet
  • A Thing of Beauty
  • A Roadside Stand
  • Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
5
Total in Flamingo (Prose+Poetry) 13
Vistas: Supplementary Reader
  • The Third Level
  • The Tiger King
  • Journey to the End of the Earth
  • The Enemy
  • On the Face of It
  • Memories of Childhood (includes two stories)
  • The Cutting of My Long Hair
  • We Too are Human Beings
7
Total in Vistas 7
Grand Total 20

CBSE Class 12 English Official Sample Papers 2024-25

CBSE Class 12 English Official Sample Papers have been released for the academic year 2024-25. Students can check out the sample paper for CBSE Class 12 English Exam 2025 from the below table:

CBSE Class 12 English Question Paper Design (2024-25)

Section Competencies Total marks
Reading Skills Conceptual understanding decoding analyzing inferring interpreting appreciating literary conventions vocabulary summarizing using appropriate formats 22
Creative Writing Skills Conceptual Understanding application of rules Analysis Reasoning appropriate style tone using appropriate format fluency inference analysis evaluation creativity 18
Literature Text Book Supplementary Reading Text Recalling reasoning critical thinking appreciating literary convention inference analysis creativity with fluency 40
TOTAL 80

CBSE Class 12 English Internal Assessment

Assessment Item Marks
Assessment of Listening Skills 5
Assessment of Speaking Skills 5
Project Work 10
GRAND TOTAL 100

CBSE Class 12 English Core Section A: Reading Skills

  • Word Limit: Combined total of 700-750 words.
  • Question Types: Multiple Choice, Short Answer (40-50 words).
Task Marks
Unseen Passage (Comprehension, Vocabulary) 12
Case-based Factual Passage (with visual inputs) 10
Total 22 Marks

CBSE Class 12 English Core Section B: Creative Writing Skills

Task Word Limit Marks Breakdown
Notice Up to 50 words Format: 1 / Content: 2 / Grammar: 1
Formal/Informal Invitation and Reply Up to 50 words Format: 1 / Content: 2 / Grammar: 1
Letters (Application, Editor) 120-150 words Format: 1 / Organization: 1 / Content: 2 / Grammar: 1
Article/Report Writing 120-150 words Format: 1 / Organization: 1 / Content: 2 / Grammar: 1

CBSE Class 12 English Core Section C: Literature Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text

Task Marks
Poetry Extract (Flamingo) One out of two (6)
Prose Extract (Vistas) One out of two (4)
Prose Extract (Flamingo) One out of two (6)
Short Answer Questions (Flamingo Prose & Poetry) Five out of six (10)
Short Answer Questions (Vistas Prose) Two out of three (4)
Long Answer Question (Flamingo Prose/Poetry) One out of two (5)
Long Answer Question (Vistas) One out of two (5)

CBSE Class 12 English Elective Syllabus 2024-25

CBSE Class 12 English Elective Syllabus 2024-25 in detail is given below. Students who have opted for English Elective must prepare the below syllabus for their exam.

Section Topics
Section A – Reading Comprehension 2 Unseen Passages and a Poem
Section B – Applied Grammar and Creative Writing Applied Grammar – Transformation of Sentences
Creative Writing – Essay Writing
Section C – Literature Kaleidoscope (Short Stories):
  • I Sell My Dreams
  • Eveline
  • A Wedding in Brownsville
Kaleidoscope (Poetry):
  • A Lecture Upon the Shadow
  • Poems by Milton
  • Poems by Blake
  • Kubla Khan
  • Trees
  • The Wild Swans of Coole
  • Time and Time Again
Kaleidoscope (Non-Fiction):
  • Freedom
  • The Mark on the Wall
  • Film-Making
  • Why the Novel Matters
  • The Argumentative Indian
Kaleidoscope (Drama):
  • Chandalika – Rabindranath Tagore

Expected Weightage for CBSE Class 12 English Core 2025

Based on the previous years’ trends and the 2024 syllabus structure, here’s an expected weightage breakdown for each section of the CBSE Class 12 English Core Exam (2025):

Section-Wise Expected Weightage for CBSE Class 12 English Core 2025

  1. Reading Comprehension will remain a critical section, assessing interpretation, inference, and vocabulary.
  2. Creative Writing will test both technical skills (formats) and writing abilities (content, accuracy).
  3. Literature will be the heaviest section, requiring deep analysis of themes, characters, and ideas in both Flamingo and Vistas.
  4. Literary excerpts will be key, and students will need to practice well-rounded answers for short and long answer questions.
Section Marks Expected Weightage
Section A: Reading Skills 22 Marks 22%
Section B: Creative Writing Skills 18 Marks 18%
Section C: Literature 40 Marks 40%
Total 80 Marks 100%

Expected Weightage for CBSE Class 12 Section A: Reading Skills

  • Expected Weightage: 22 Marks
  • Inference-based questions will be common.
  • Vocabulary will also be assessed, especially through contextual clues.
Section Marks Type of Passage Focus Areas
Section A: Reading Skills 12 Unseen Passage (Literary/Descriptive) Comprehension, interpretation, analysis, and inference.
10 Unseen Passage (Factual/Case-based with visual inputs) Comprehension, interpretation, analysis, and evaluation, including working with statistical data, charts, or other visual inputs.
Total 22

Expected Weightage for CBSE Class 12 Section B: Creative Writing Skills

  • Expected Weightage: 18 Marks
  • Writing tasks in Section B are heavily focused on format, organization, and accuracy in grammar and spelling.
  • Task-based writing like notices, invitations, and letter writing are expected to maintain similar weightage in 2025.
Section Marks Type of Writing Criteria Marks Breakdown
Section B: Creative Writing Skills 4 Notice Writing Format 1 mark
Content 2 marks
Accuracy 1 mark
4 Invitation and Reply Writing Format 1 mark
Content 2 marks
Accuracy 1 mark
5 Letter Writing (Formal/Informal) Format 1 mark
Organization of Ideas 1 mark
Content 2 marks
Grammar/Spelling 1 mark
5 Article/Report Writing Format 1 mark
Organization of Ideas 1 mark
Content 2 marks
Grammar/Spelling 1 mark
Total 18

Expected Weightage for CBSE Class 12 Section C: Literature

  • Expected Weightage: 40 Marks
  • The Literature section will continue to be the most significant, with an emphasis on textual understanding, critical analysis, and extrapolation.
  • Poetry and prose excerpts will be key areas for assessment.
  • The short answer questions from both Flamingo and Vistas will continue to test inferential and analytical thinking.
Section Marks Type of Literature Focus Areas
Section C:Literature 6 Poetry Extract from Flamingo Comprehension, Interpretation, Analysis, Appreciation (themes, ideas, tone, literary devices)
6 Prose Extract from Flamingo Comprehension, Interpretation, Analysis, Evaluation
4 Prose Extract from Vistas Comprehension, Interpretation, Analysis, Evaluation
10 Short Answer Type Questions (Flamingo) Themes, Character analysis, Interpretation of key concepts (5 questions, 2 marks each)
4 Short Answer Type Questions (Vistas) Interpretation, Analysis (2 questions, each carrying 2 marks)
5 Long Answer Type Questions (Flamingo) Deeper analysis of themes, characters, or events (120-150 words)
5 Long Answer Type Questions (Vistas) Deeper analysis and extrapolation of themes, characters, or incidents (120-150 words)
Total 40

CBSE Class 12 English Exam Preparation Plan

To help you prepare for your CBSE Class 12 English exam scheduled for March 11, 2025, here is a month-wise preparation strategy.

Month and Focus Areas Daily Study Plan Activities
January 2025: Study and Understand 2 hours/day
  • Literature: Read and summarize texts, focus on themes and characters.
  • Writing Skills: Practice writing essays, letters, notices.
  • Grammar: Review rules and practice sentence corrections.
  • Reading Comprehension: Practice passages.
February - Early March 2025: Review and Practice 3 hours/day
  • Literature: Revise notes and prepare concise answers.
  • Writing Skills: Practice timed writing using past papers.
  • Reading Comprehension: Improve speed and accuracy.
  • Sample Papers: Solve previous years' papers to understand the exam pattern.
March 2025: Final Touches and Mock Tests 3-4 hours/day
  • Literature: Focus on important topics and tricky questions.
  • Writing Skills: Review all writing formats.
  • Reading Comprehension: Continue timed practice.
  • Mock Tests: Take 2-3 full-length tests per week to assess readiness.

CBSE Class 12 English One-Month Preparation Plan

  • Practice Writing: Regularly write essays, letters, and reports to improve your skills.
  • Focus on Presentation: Good handwriting, clear structure, and proper formatting can enhance scores.
  • Stay Consistent: Adhere to the timetable without distractions.
  • Stay Calm: Maintain confidence in your preparation efforts.
Week Day Focus Area Activities
Week 1 Day 1 Flamingo - Prose Read "The Last Lesson" & "Lost Spring"; focus on themes, characters, and events; make notes.
Day 2 Flamingo - Prose Read "Deep Water" & "The Rattrap"; analyze central messages and practice important questions.
Day 3 Flamingo - Prose Read "Indigo" & "Poets and Pancakes"; revise key ideas, characters, and literary devices; write summaries.
Day 4 Poetry (Flamingo) Analyze "My Mother at Sixty-Six" & "Keeping Quiet"; identify themes and poetic devices; practice answering questions.
Day 5 Poetry (Flamingo) Analyze "A Thing of Beauty" & "A Roadside Stand"; focus on literary devices; write short summaries.
Day 6 Writing Skills Practice writing formal and informal letters; review formats and language.
Day 7 Writing Skills Practice writing speeches and reports; focus on clarity, structure, and length.
Week 2 Day 8 Vistas - Prose Read "The Third Level" & "The Tiger King"; focus on plot, themes, character development; answer sample questions.
Day 9 Vistas - Prose Read "Journey to the End of the Earth" & "The Enemy"; summarize central ideas and moral lessons.
Day 10 Vistas - Remaining Prose Read "On the Face of It" & "Memories of Childhood"; analyze characters and themes; prepare for long-answer questions.
Day 11 Vistas - Remaining Prose Continue with remaining chapters; summarize key events.
Day 12 Writing Skills Focus on writing articles and essays on social issues; review structures and important topics.
Day 13 Writing Skills Practice dialogue writing & story writing; focus on creative flow.
Day 14 Full Revision of Chapters Revise all prose and poetry chapters; go over key themes and practice sample questions.
Week 3 Day 15 Full Revision of Prose (Flamingo) Revise all prose chapters; focus on key concepts and character analysis.
Day 16 Full Revision of Poetry (Flamingo) Revise all poetry chapters; practice answering short and long questions.
Day 17 Full Revision of Vistas Revise all prose chapters from Vistas.
Day 18 Practice Answer Writing Write summaries of key events from Vistas chapters; practice answer writing.
Day 19 Practice Papers Solve past year papers for writing skills and prose sections.
Day 20 Practice Papers Solve past year papers for poetry and Vistas sections.
Day 21 Full Mock Test Take a full-length English mock test under exam conditions; focus on time management.
Week 4 Day 22 Quick Revision of Difficult Topics Revise challenging poetry chapters or writing skills sections.
Day 23 Quick Revision of Difficult Topics Revise challenging prose chapters.
Day 24 Quick Revision of Difficult Topics Go through challenging Vistas chapters.
Day 25 Full Revision of All Chapters Revise all Flamingo chapters (prose and poetry).
Day 26 Full Revision of All Chapters Revise all Vistas chapters; practice answering both short and long questions.
Day 27 Final Mock Test Take another full-length mock test focusing on time management.
Day 28 Analysis of Mock Test Analyze mistakes from the mock test; review weak areas.
Day 29 Final Revision Revise notes and key points for all chapters.
Day 30 Relaxation Light revision of important points, especially answer structures; take it easy before the exam.

How to Get 90 Marks in English Class 12?

Here are some tips to help you score high marks in your English exam:

  • Understand the Syllabus: Divide the syllabus into smaller components. Prioritize important topics. Ask friends or teachers for clarification if you're unclear.
  • Go through the NCERT books: Read each chapter two times. First, understand, and then take notes on important topics and quotes. Use these notes to write answers and essays.
  • Enhance Your Writing: Write concisely and clearly. Start essays strong, provide examples, and conclude clearly. To improve your writing, read well-written articles.
  • Study Poetry and Prose: Summarize poems in your own words. Explain difficult lines well. Relate poems to real life to make your answers better.
  • Practice Reading Comprehension: Regularly practice reading and summarizing passages quickly. Time yourself to improve speed.
  • Grammar Practice: Use grammar correctly in your writing. Pay attention to punctuation; it’s very important.
  • Manage Your Time: Plan your time for each section: Reading (10-15 minutes), Writing (40-45 minutes), Grammar (15 minutes). Write long answers at the end.
  • Use Old Question Papers: Solve past papers to understand question types and to find areas to improve.
  • Write Neatly: Organize your answers clearly, using bullet points or paragraphs. If short on time, write at least the main points.
  • Be Regular: Study English daily, even if only for 30-45 minutes. Review your notes weekly to remember what you’ve learned.

CBSE Class 12 English Core: Year-Wise Analysis (2021-2024)

Here is an analysis of different components and their respective sub-topics of CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus from 2021 to 2024 which can help students prepare better for the CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2025:

Past Years’ Analysis of Flamingo: English Reader (Prose) (2021-2024)

  1. Common Themes: Love for the country, social issues, human nature, and personal growth.
  2. Frequently Asked Chapters: The Last Lesson, Lost Spring, Deep Water, and The Rattrap were often asked in both short and long answer questions.
  3. Main Topics: Child labor, overcoming fear, self-growth, and moral lessons.
  4. Other Important Chapters: Indigo (Gandhi's social work) and Poets and Pancakes (identity and culture) appeared in some years.
  5. Comprehension: Focus on understanding and analyzing the deeper meaning of the text.
  6. Aspirations vs Reality: Going Places explored the difference between dreams and reality.
Chapter Title Year(s) Focus Areas
The Last Lesson 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Themes of patriotism, language, emotional significance; appeared in short and long answer questions.
Lost Spring 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Socio-economic issues, child exploitation; featured in short answer questions consistently.
Deep Water 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Overcoming fear and personal growth; asked in both short and long answer questions throughout the years.
The Rattrap 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Human nature, kindness, and moral lessons; frequently featured in comprehension-based and long answer questions.
Indigo 2021, 2024 Focused on Gandhi's role in social justice; discussed in various question formats.
Poets and Pancakes 2021 Explored themes of identity and culture; included in comprehension questions.
The Interview 2021 Discussed the nuances of interviews and perspectives; featured in both types of questions.
Going Places 2021 Themes of aspiration and reality; included in comprehension-based discussions.

Past Years’ Analysis of Flamingo: English Reader (Poetry) (2021-2024)

  • Common Themes: Time, loss, nostalgia, self-awareness, peace, introspection, and social issues.
  • Frequently Asked Poems:
    • A Photograph (Themes of time and loss)
    • The Ballad of the Temple (Search for meaning)
    • Keeping Quiet (Peace and self-reflection)
    • The Voice of the Rain (Nature's cycle)
    • All appeared regularly in poetry extract or analysis questions.
  • Occasional Poems:
    • My Mother at Sixty-six (Aging and family bonds)
    • An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum (Social issues in education)
    • A Thing of Beauty (Beauty's impact on life)
    • A Roadside Stand (Economic disparity)
    • Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers (Gender roles and empowerment)
    • These poems appeared in comprehension or analysis questions in 2022.
  • Focus Areas:
    • Self-awareness, nature, and social issues were key topics, with poems like Keeping Quiet and Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers focusing on introspection and empowerment.
    • Economic and social concerns were explored in poems like A Roadside Stand and An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum.
Poem Title Year(s) Focus Areas
A Photograph 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Themes of time, loss, nostalgia; common in poetry extract questions across all years.
The Ballad of the Temple 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Self-awareness and the human search for meaning; frequently asked in poetry analysis questions.
Keeping Quiet 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Peace, introspection, self-reflection; appeared in both short answer and long answer questions consistently.
The Voice of the Rain 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Nature’s cycle and interconnection of life; featured in comprehension questions throughout the years.
My Mother at Sixty-six 2022 Explored themes of aging and familial bonds; included in poetry-based discussions.
An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum 2022 Addressed social issues related to education; featured in comprehension questions.
A Thing of Beauty 2022 Discussed beauty's impact on life; included in poetry analysis discussions.
A Roadside Stand 2022 Explored economic disparity themes; featured in comprehension questions.
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers 2022 Discussed gender roles and empowerment; included in poetry analysis questions.

Past Years’ Analysis of Vistas: Supplementary Reader (2021-2024)

  • Common Themes: Human empathy, relationships, power dynamics, personal growth, curiosity, irony, satire, and generational conflicts.
  • Frequently Asked Chapters:
    • The Tiger King (2021-2024): Satire, irony, and power dynamics. A staple in long-answer questions across all years, focusing on the protagonist’s arrogance and downfall.
    • The Enemy (2021-2023): Human empathy during conflict. Regularly featured in comprehension and long-answer questions, addressing moral dilemmas and emotional struggles.
    • Should Wizard Hit Mommy? (2021-2023): Generational conflicts and relationships. Frequently asked in long-answer questions, emphasizing the differing worldviews of parents and children.
    • The Making of a Scientist (2021-2023): Curiosity and pursuit of knowledge. Appeared consistently in both comprehension and long-answer questions, highlighting intellectual growth and scientific discovery.
    • The Browning Version (2023): Personal growth. Focused on themes of transformation and emotional maturity, particularly in long-answer questions.
    • Occasional Chapters:
    • The Tiger King appeared regularly in long-answer questions.
    • The Enemy and Should Wizard Hit Mommy? were frequently asked in comprehension questions from 2022-2023.
    • The Making of a Scientist and The Browning Version were explored in comprehension or analysis questions, with a focus on personal development and intellectual pursuit.
  • Focus Areas:
    • Power dynamics, human empathy, and personal growth were recurring themes, with stories like The Tiger King and The Enemy emphasizing power struggles and moral conflicts.
    • Generational conflict and intellectual curiosity were also key, explored in Should Wizard Hit Mommy? and The Making of a Scientist.
Chapter Title Year(s) Focus Areas
The Tiger King 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Satire, irony, power dynamics; staple in long answer questions across all years.
The Enemy 2021, 2022, 2023 Human empathy during conflict; regularly featured in comprehension and long answer questions.
Should Wizard Hit Mommy? 2021, 2022, 2023 Generational conflicts and relationships; frequently asked in long answer questions throughout the years.
The Making of a Scientist 2021, 2022, 2023 Curiosity and pursuit of knowledge appeared consistently in both types of questions.
The Browning Version 2023 Personal growth themes in teacher-student relationships; included in long answer discussions.
Journey to the End of the Earth (New for 2024) Explored themes of exploration and discovery; featured in comprehension-based discussions.
Evans Tries an O-level (New for 2024) Focused on cleverness and deception; discussed primarily in long answer formats.

CBSE Class 12 English Previous Years Papers PDF

CBSE Class 12 English last eleven years question papers are given below. This will help the students to know the most repeated questions in the CBSE Class 12 English exam:

CBSE Class 12 English NCERT Solutions and Chapter-Wise Summary

CBSE Class 12 English NCERT Solutions and Summary for each chapter are provided in the table below.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

CBSE CLASS XII papers of 2023

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CBSE CLASS XII papers of 2019

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