The 2026-27 NCERT renumbered the older Chapter 8 to Chapter 4 and now positions The d- and f-Block Elements as the only descriptive-inorganic unit in the entire Class 12 Chemistry book. The chapter mixes electronic-configuration trends with redox chemistry of transition and inner-transition metals.
- CBSE Weightage: 4 to 6 marks (Class 12 Chemistry Boards, one short-answer concept plus one preparation/property question)
- JEE Main Weightage: 2 to 3% (around 1 to 2 questions per shift on lanthanoid contraction, KMnO4/K2Cr2O7, oxidation states)
- NEET Weightage: 2 to 3 question(s) per year, primarily configuration and colour
The PDF above is the full official NCERT print for Chapter 4 of the Class 12 Chemistry Part-I book. The reading map, rationalisation notes, and trend-analysis tables further down convert the dense descriptive prose into a board-ready study plan.
This NCERT Book PDF is sourced from the official NCERT 2026-27 edition and cross-verified against the CBSE Class 12 Chemistry syllabus document released for the 2026 Board exam.
Also Check:
- Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 3 Chemical Kinetics NCERT Book PDF
- Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 5 Coordination Compounds NCERT Book PDF
- CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Syllabus 2026-27
Why d- and f-Block Elements Earn Their Slot in Class 12 Chemistry
The d-block (groups 3 to 12) and the f-block (lanthanoids and actinoids) together carry every transition-metal property students will meet again in Coordination Compounds (Ch 5) and Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids (Ch 8 oxidation reactions). The chapter is the bridge between general periodic-table reasoning and the named-compound chemistry of later units.
Three CBSE board questions out of every five from this chapter ask why a particular property (paramagnetism, variable oxidation state, coloured ion) shows the trend it does. The expected answer always returns to the (n-1)d and 4f electronic configuration. Read the PDF with that lens: every property is a configuration consequence.
Lanthanoid contraction is the single concept whose downstream impact spreads farthest. It controls the near-identical radii of 4d and 5d transition metals (Zr/Hf, Nb/Ta), the basicity of lanthanoid hydroxides, and the difficulty of separating individual lanthanoid ions, three different question stems that all rely on the same idea.
The D and F Block Elements Video Chapter Walkthrough
Source: NCERT Wallah on YouTube
How will Collegedunia's NCERT Book PDF Help You with The d- and f-Block Elements?
The official NCERT print is the single source of truth for CBSE Boards, and this page wraps it with the navigation aids that the raw PDF does not carry.
- 2026-27 NCERT Alignment: The PDF here is the latest NCERT print, with every change from the previous edition flagged in the rationalisation section below.
- Property-vs-Configuration Map: The breakdown tables map every observable trend (atomic radius, oxidation state, colour) to its electronic-configuration cause, the format CBSE markers reward.
- Reading Sequence: The skim-then-deep-dive plan tells you which sections to read first and which intext examples to attempt cold before the exam.
- Companion Cross-Reference: Every page in the PDF is mapped to the matching Collegedunia Notes, Formula Sheet, and NCERT Solutions for that sub-topic.
Class 12th Chemistry d and f Block Elements: Section-by-Section Breakdown with Page Numbers
The chapter has eight numbered sections plus a summary, and the table below maps each to its approximate page range and one-line content scope. Sections 4.3 (general properties) and 4.5 (compounds of the transition elements) together account for more than half of all CBSE board questions from this chapter.
| Section | Title | Pages | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | Position in the Periodic Table | 1-3 | Where d-block sits, naming convention, why Zn/Cd/Hg are not typical transition elements |
| 4.2 | Electronic Configurations of the d-Block Elements | 3-5 | (n-1)d 1-10 ns 1-2 configurations; Cr and Cu exceptions explained via half-filled and fully filled stability |
| 4.3 | General Properties of the Transition Elements (d-Block) | 5-15 | Atomic radius, ionisation enthalpy, oxidation states, standard electrode potentials, colour, magnetic behaviour, complex formation, catalytic property, interstitial compounds, alloy formation |
| 4.4 | Some Important Compounds of Transition Elements | 15-19 | Preparation and properties of KMnO4 and K2Cr2O7, the two named compounds CBSE asks about every year |
| 4.5 | The Inner Transition Elements (f-Block) | 19-22 | Lanthanoid contraction, oxidation states, colour, magnetic behaviour of lanthanoids |
| 4.6 | The Actinoids | 22-24 | Electronic configuration, oxidation states, general characteristics, comparison with lanthanoids |
| 4.7 | Some Applications of d- and f-Block Elements | 24-25 | Catalysts, alloys, pigments, photographic and nuclear use |
| - | Summary, Exercises (36 Qs) | 25-26 | End-of-chapter problems for board-level practice |
The 36 end-of-chapter exercises split roughly into 22 conceptual/short-answer items, 8 preparation-and-property questions on KMnO4 and K2Cr2O7, and 6 reasoning items on lanthanoid contraction and actinoid chemistry. The reasoning block is the one repeatedly asked in CBSE Boards.
The d- and f-Block Elements NCERT Intext Examples and Their Sub-Topics
The 2026-27 print of Chapter 4 carries 8 solved intext examples spread across roughly 25 pages of prose. Each example demonstrates a specific reasoning skill that recurs in CBSE conceptual answers. The table tags every example with the sub-topic it tests and the skill expected in the answer.
| Example | Sub-topic | Skill tested |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | Electronic configuration of Cr and Cu | Apply half-filled and fully filled stability rule |
| 4.2 | Why Mn(II) is the most stable oxidation state | Configuration-driven stability reasoning |
| 4.3 | Calculate spin-only magnetic moment | Use s = √n(n+2) BM where n = number of unpaired electrons |
| 4.4 | Colour of Cu2+ in aqueous solution | d-d transition explanation |
| 4.5 | Oxidising action of KMnO4 in acidic medium | Write balanced half-reaction with permanganate-to-manganese(II) |
| 4.6 | Preparation of K2Cr2O7 from chromite ore | Sequence of three reactions with conditions |
| 4.7 | Effect of pH on chromate-dichromate equilibrium | Le Chatelier reasoning on 2CrO42- + 2H+ Cr2O72- + H2O |
| 4.8 | Why is the radius of Nd3+ nearly equal to that of Y3+? | Apply lanthanoid contraction to explain 4d-5d radius similarity |
The d- and f-Block Elements Top 5 Formulae and Reactions for Quick Recall
Inorganic chapters depend more on recall than derivation, but five recurring expressions and half-equations cover almost every CBSE Board numerical and short-answer prompt. The complete master table with named-compound reactions and oxidation-state checks lives on the Collegedunia Formula Sheet.
| Quantity / reaction | Expression |
|---|---|
| Spin-only magnetic moment | s = √n(n+2) BM (n = unpaired electrons) |
| Acidic permanganate oxidation | MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- → Mn2+ + 4H2O |
| Acidic dichromate oxidation | Cr2O72- + 14H+ + 6e- → 2Cr3+ + 7H2O |
| Chromate-dichromate equilibrium | 2CrO42- + 2H+ Cr2O72- + H2O |
| Lanthanoid configuration (general) | [Xe] 4f1-14 5d0-1 6s2 |
Full master table: The d- and f-Block Elements Class 12 Chemistry Formula Sheet
What Changed in The d- and f-Block Elements for 2026-27 NCERT (Rationalisation Note)
The 2026-27 NCERT Class 12 Chemistry Part-I renumbered this unit from Chapter 8 to Chapter 4 and pruned a handful of detailed sub-sections from the older 2022 print. Knowing what stayed and what went is the cheapest way to avoid wasted study time on dropped content.
| Sub-topic | Status in 2026-27 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic configuration of d-block | Kept | Core section, unchanged |
| General properties (radius, IE, oxidation states, colour, magnetism) | Kept | Core section, unchanged |
| KMnO4 and K2Cr2O7 preparation and reactions | Kept | Core section, unchanged |
| Lanthanoid contraction and consequences | Kept | Core section, unchanged |
| Actinoid chemistry, comparison with lanthanoids | Kept | Core section, unchanged |
| Detailed alloy formation and named alloys | Trimmed | Reduced to a one-paragraph mention under applications |
| Detailed catalytic role with named industrial processes | Trimmed | Vanadium-pentoxide example kept; iron Haber-Bosch table dropped |
| Interstitial compounds (detailed treatment) | Trimmed | Single-paragraph treatment retained |
Students using the older 2022 NCERT print are studying close to 3 extra pages of content that no longer appear on the Class 12 board paper. The PDF on this page is the latest official 2026-27 NCERT.
How to Read The d- and f-Block Elements from the NCERT Class 12 Chemistry Book
The PDF rewards a three-pass reading rather than a single linear read. The chapter is descriptive-heavy, so passive reading on the first pass is a trap; you must convert prose into a trend table to retain it.
- Pass 1 - Skim (40 minutes): Read only the section headings, the summary on page 25, and the property-trend tables in section 4.3. The goal is to see the spine of the chapter before the descriptive prose pulls you under.
- Pass 2 - Deep read (4 to 5 hours): Read sections 4.1 to 4.7 in order, but build your own trend table for each property (radius, IE, oxidation state, colour, magnetic moment) as you go. Solve every intext example without looking at the answer first.
- Pass 3 - Practice (2 to 3 hours): Attempt the 36 end-of-chapter exercises. Use the worked Collegedunia NCERT Solutions only after a genuine attempt at the reasoning items.
Class 12th Chemistry d and f Block Elements Multi-Day Study Plan
A three-day plan spreads the chapter so each major sub-topic is revisited at least twice before the chapter is closed. The third day is reserved for the inner-transition elements, where most students lose marks because of late-stage rote learning.
| Day | What to read | What to practise | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Sections 4.1 to 4.3 (position, configuration, general properties) | Intext examples 4.1 to 4.4 plus exercises 4.1 to 4.12 | 3.5 hours |
| Day 2 | Section 4.4 (KMnO4 and K2Cr2O7) | Intext examples 4.5 to 4.7 plus exercises 4.13 to 4.24 | 3 hours |
| Day 3 | Sections 4.5 to 4.7 (lanthanoids, actinoids, applications) | Intext example 4.8 plus exercises 4.25 to 4.36, then full revision | 3 hours |
The d- and f-Block Elements PYQ Trend in CBSE, JEE Main and NEET (2026 to 2021)
The three most repeated question types from this chapter in the last five years are: KMnO4/K2Cr2O7 preparation, lanthanoid contraction reasoning, and magnetic-moment calculation. The mini-table below maps the topic most frequently asked each year; the full year-wise question map sits on the NCERT Solutions page.
| Year | CBSE Board | JEE Main | NEET |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | KMnO4 preparation from MnO2 (3 marks) | Lanthanoid contraction reasoning, 1 question | Pending (exam rescheduled) |
| 2025 | Why is Mn(II) more stable than Mn(III)? (2 marks) | Spin-only magnetic moment of Fe3+, 1 question | Colour of transition-metal ions, 2 questions |
| 2024 | K2Cr2O7 preparation from chromite (3 marks) | Variable oxidation states of d-block, 2 questions | Lanthanoid contraction, 1 question |
| 2023 | Lanthanoid contraction and its consequences (3 marks) | - | Actinoid vs lanthanoid, 2 questions |
| 2022 | Magnetic moment of d5 ion (2 marks) plus colour of Cu2+ (1 mark) | Standard electrode potential of d-block, 1 question | - |
| 2021 | - | - | - |
Full year-wise PYQ map: The d- and f-Block Elements Class 12 Chemistry NCERT Solutions
The d- and f-Block Elements CBSE Marks Weightage Compared Across Class 12 Chemistry Chapters
The visual below maps typical CBSE Class 12 Chemistry marks across all 10 chapters of the 2026-27 NCERT book, averaged over the last five board papers. The d- and f-Block Elements sits mid-table; the numbers match the bullets at the top of this page.
Author, Edition and Publisher Information for the d- and f-Block Elements NCERT PDF
The PDF on this page is taken from the official publication, not a third-party reprint. Always study from the latest print because the renumbering and rationalisation changes are not back-ported to older copies.
- Book: Chemistry Part-I, Class 12 (Textbook for Class XII)
- Chapter: 4 - The d- and f-Block Elements (renumbered from legacy Ch 8)
- Publisher: National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
- Edition: 2026-27 reprint (post-rationalisation)
- Total pages in the chapter: 26 pages including summary and exercises
- Language editions available: English, Hindi (Rasayan Vigyan Bhag-I)
If your school has issued a 2022 or earlier copy, request the latest reprint through the school office or use the official PDF on this Collegedunia page in parallel.
Related Links:
- Class 12 Chemistry NCERT Book PDF (All Chapters)
- CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Sample Papers 2026
- CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Previous Year Question Papers
More The d- and f-Block Elements Chemistry Class 12 Resources
- The d- and f-Block Elements Class 12 Chemistry NCERT Solutions
- The d- and f-Block Elements Class 12 Chemistry Notes
- The d- and f-Block Elements Class 12 Chemistry Formula Sheet
- The d- and f-Block Elements Class 12 Chemistry NCERT Exemplar Book PDF
- The d- and f-Block Elements Class 12 Chemistry NCERT Exemplar Solutions
- The d- and f-Block Elements Class 12 Chemistry Handwritten Notes
NCERT Book PDF for Class 12 Chemistry: All Chapters
The table lists every chapter of the Class 12 Chemistry 2026-27 NCERT, each linking to its dedicated Collegedunia NCERT Book PDF page.
| Chapter | Resource |
|---|---|
| Chapter 1 | Solutions NCERT Book PDF |
| Chapter 2 | Electrochemistry NCERT Book PDF |
| Chapter 3 | Chemical Kinetics NCERT Book PDF |
| Chapter 5 | Coordination Compounds NCERT Book PDF |
| Chapter 6 | Haloalkanes and Haloarenes NCERT Book PDF |
| Chapter 7 | Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers NCERT Book PDF |
| Chapter 8 | Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids NCERT Book PDF |
| Chapter 9 | Amines NCERT Book PDF |
| Chapter 10 | Biomolecules NCERT Book PDF |
The d- and f-Block Elements Class 12 Chemistry NCERT Book PDF FAQs
Ques. Where can I download the Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 4 The d- and f-Block Elements NCERT Book PDF?
Ans. You can download The d- and f-Block Elements Class 12 Chemistry NCERT Book PDF directly from this page. Both the Normal and HD versions are available and both are free, with no registration required.
Ques. Is The d- and f-Block Elements chapter aligned with the 2026-27 NCERT?
Ans. Yes. The PDF reflects the current 2026-27 syllabus for Class 12 Chemistry. The chapter retains every core section on electronic configuration, general properties, KMnO4 and K2Cr2O7, lanthanoid contraction, and actinoid chemistry. The detailed alloy and named-catalyst treatments have been trimmed in the new edition.
Ques. Was this chapter renumbered for the new NCERT?
Ans. Yes. The d- and f-Block Elements was Chapter 8 in the older 2022 print and is now Chapter 4 in the 2026-27 syllabus, because three earlier inorganic chapters (Surface Chemistry, General Principles of Isolation, p-Block Elements) were removed. The chapter content itself is largely unchanged.
Ques. How many pages is the Class 12th Chemistry d and f Block Elements NCERT Book PDF?
Ans. The chapter runs roughly 26 pages, including the 7 numbered sections, 8 intext examples, the summary, and the 36 end-of-chapter exercises.
Ques. How many marks does The d- and f-Block Elements carry in the CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Board exam?
Ans. The d- and f-Block Elements typically carries 4 to 6 marks in the Class 12 Chemistry Board exam. The marks are usually split as one 3-mark preparation-of-KMnO4-or-K2Cr2O7 answer plus one short conceptual question on lanthanoid contraction or magnetic moment.
Ques. Which intext examples in The d- and f-Block Elements are most important for Boards?
Ans. Examples 4.3 (spin-only magnetic moment), 4.5 (KMnO4 oxidising action), 4.6 (K2Cr2O7 preparation from chromite), and 4.8 (lanthanoid contraction) are the highest-yield. Practise each at least twice before the exam.
Ques. Has any topic been removed from The d- and f-Block Elements in the latest NCERT edition?
Ans. Yes. The detailed treatment of alloy formation with named alloys and the named-industrial-catalyst section have been trimmed in the current 2026-27 NCERT. The interstitial compounds section was also reduced to a single paragraph. The core property trends, KMnO4 and K2Cr2O7 chemistry, lanthanoid contraction, and actinoid material are all retained.
Ques. How long should I take to complete The d- and f-Block Elements NCERT chapter?
Ans. A three-day plan of about 9 to 10 hours total is realistic, one day for sections 4.1 to 4.3, one for the KMnO4 and K2Cr2O7 chemistry in section 4.4, and one for the inner-transition elements in sections 4.5 to 4.7 plus full revision. The Collegedunia multi-day study plan further up on this page breaks the hours down section by section.
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