CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2025-26 (Out): Check Practical Syllabus, Weightage, Books, and Download PDF

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Sahaj Anand

Content Writer | Journalism Graduate | Updated on - Sep 10, 2025

CBSE CLASS XII Latest Updates

26 Sep, 2025 CBSE Class 12 Previous Year Papers with solutions PDF are available here for free. Download Here

The CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus has been published on its official website for the session 2025-26. Now students can download the detailed syllabus from the official website, cbseacademic.nic.in.

  • The recent biology syllabus contains a total of 5 units with 13 chapters.
  • Among these, Genetics and Evolution carry the maximum weightage, followed by Reproduction as the next major unit in the theory exam.
  • The exam date for the CBSE Class 12 Biology is set for March 2026.
  • The biology subject carries 100 marks in total—70 marks for the theory exam and 30 marks for the practical exam.
  • The biology exam question paper will include MCQs, short answers, and long answers questions.
  • Students are recommended to practice the important diagrams included in the biology syllabus for better performance in the exam.

The CBSE Class 12 Biology syllabus is one of the most important subjects for students, especially those who are preparing for NEET, CUET, and other competitive exams.

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CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus

Key Summary

  • In this article, we discussed the CBSE class 12 biology syllabus 2025-26, including the unit-wise syllabus, practical syllabus, weightage, NCERT solutions, books, and previous years' papers.
  • The CBSE class 12 biology syllabus has been released on its official website, cbseacademic.nic.in.
  • The CBSE Class 12 Biology syllabus 2025-26 is divided into 5 units with 13 chapters, carrying 70 marks for theory and 30 marks for practicals.
  • NCERT textbooks are the primary reference, and students are advised to practice previous years’ papers for better preparation.
  • Among all units, Genetics & Evolution (20 marks) and Reproduction (16 marks) hold the highest weightage.

What is the CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2026?

The CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2025-26 has 5 units with 13 chapters—Reproduction, Genetics & Evolution, Human Welfare, Biotechnology, and Ecology. Genetics & Evolution carries the highest marks, followed by Reproduction.

The exam is of 100 marks (Theory 70 + Practical 30) with MCQs, case-based, and short & long answer questions. Students should also practice diagrams and flowcharts for better scoring.

CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus

Feature Details
Exam Date March 2026
Total Marks 100 (Theory – 70, Practical – 30)
Units & Chapters 5 Units, 13 Chapters
Highest Weightage Unit Genetics and Evolution
Second Highest Weightage Unit Reproduction
Exam Pattern MCQs, Case-based, Short Answer & Long Answer Qu​​estions
Competitive Relevance NEET, CUET, Medical & Life Science exams
Key Tip Practice diagrams & flowcharts for better scoring

Below is a comprehensive guide for the CBSE Class 12 Biology syllabus that highlights the key ideas unit-wise in each chapter.

CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus: Unit-VI Reproduction

This table summarises the topics of reproduction, covering sexual reproduction in plants, human reproduction, and aspects of reproductive health.

Chapter Topics Covered
1. Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
  • Flower structure
  • Male & female gametophytes
  • Pollinations
  • Special modes: apomixis, parthenocarpy, polyembryony
  • Seed dispersal & fruit formation significance
2. Human Reproduction
  • Male & female reproductive systems
  • Microscopic anatomy of testis & ovary
  • Spermatogenesis & oogenesis
  • Menstrual cycle
  • Fertilisation—embryo development up to blastocyst
  • Pregnancy & placenta (elementary)
  • Parturition (elementary)
  • Lactation (elementary)
3. Reproductive Health
  • Need for reproductive health
  • Prevention of STDs
  • Birth control (need & methods)
  • Contraception; medical termination of pregnancy (MTP)
  • Amniocentesis
  • Infertility & assisted reproductive technologies (IVF, ZIFT, GIFT – elementary)

CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus: Unit VII: Genetics and Evolution

The table below outlines the important topics from genetics and evolution, including inheritance patterns, molecular mechanisms of genetics, and the principles and evidence of evolution.

Chapter Topics Covered
4. Principles of Inheritance and Variation
  • Mendelian inheritance
  • Deviations—incomplete dominance, codominance
  • Multiple alleles (blood groups), pleiotropy
  • Polygenic inheritance
  • Chromosome theory of inheritance
  • Sex determination (humans, birds, honey bees)
  • Linkage & crossing over
  • Sex-linked inheritance (haemophilia, colour blindness)
  • Human disorders—Mendelian (thalassemia), chromosomal (Down’s, Turner’s, Klinefelter’s)
5. Molecular Basis of Inheritance
  • DNA as genetic material
  • DNA & RNA structure
  • DNA packaging & replication
  • Central Dogma
  • Transcription
  • Genetic code
  • Translation
  • Gene expression & regulation
  • Human & Rice Genome Projects
  • DNA fingerprinting
6. Evolution
  • Origin of life
  • Evidence of evolution in palaeontology, anatomy, embryology, and molecular
  • Darwin’s contribution: Modern synthetic theory
  • Mechanisms—mutation, recombination, natural selection
  • Gene flow and genetic drift
  • Hardy-Weinberg principle
  • Adaptive radiation
  • human evolution

CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus: Unit VIII- Biology and Human Welfare

The table below focuses on human health issues, diseases, and their control, as well as the beneficial roles of microbes in food, industry, environment, and medicine.

Chapter Topics Covered
7. Human Health and Diseases
  • Pathogens
  • Human diseases—malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, ascariasis, typhoid, pneumonia, common cold, amoebiasis, ringworm, and Disease control
  • Immunology basics—vaccines
  • Cancer, HIV & AIDSAdolescente issues—drug & alcohol abuse
8. Microbes in Human Welfare
  • Microbes in food processing, industry, sewage treatment, & energy generation
  • Microbes as biocontrol agents & biofertilizers
  • Antibiotics—production & safe use

CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus: Unit IX: Biotechnology and Its Applications

This table summarises biotechnology, covering the principles of genetic engineering and its applications in health and agriculture.

Chapter Topics Covered
9. Biotechnology—Principles and Processes
  • Genetic engineering (recombinant DNA technology)
10. Biotechnology and Its Applications
  • Biotechnology in health & agriculture
  • Human insulin & vaccines
  • Stem cell technology
  • Gene therapy
  • GM organisms – Bt crops
  • Transgenic animals
  • Biosafety, biopiracy & patents

CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus: Unit X: Ecology and Environment

This table summarises ecology and environment, explaining population dynamics, ecosystem structure and functions, and the importance of biodiversity.

Chapter Topics Covered
11. Organisms and Populations
  • Population interactions—mutualism, competition, predation, parasitism
  • Population attributes—growth, birth & death rates, age distribution
12. Ecosystem
  • Types & components
  • Productivity & decomposition
  • Energy flow
  • Ecological pyramids—number, biomass, energy
13. Biodiversity and Its Conservation
  • Biodiversity: concept, Patterns, and importance
  • Loss of biodiversity
  • Conservation methods
  • Hotspots; endangered species
  • Extinction, Red Data Book, sacred groves, protected areas—biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, Ramsar sites

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CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical Syllabus 2025-26

The table below shows the CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical Syllabus 2025–26. Students should follow the syllabus, as this was updated by the board for the upcoming exam:

A. List of Experiments

The table below lists practical experiments related to plant reproduction, cell division, population studies, and DNA extraction for hands-on learning and observation.

No. Experiment
1 Prepare a temporary mount to observe pollen germination.
2 Study plant population density by the quadrat method.
3 Study plant population frequency by the quadrat method.
4 Prepare a temporary mount of an onion root tip to study mitosis.
5 Isolate DNA from plant materials (e.g., spinach, pea seeds, papaya, and banana).

B. Study and Observe (Spotting)

The table below includes important topics for spotting, such as pollination adaptations, gamete development, genetic traits, disease-causing organisms, and models illustrating ecological relationships and anatomical structures.

No. Topic
1 Flowers adapted to pollination by wind, insects, and birds.
2 Pollen germination on stigma (permanent slide/SEM image).
3 Stages of gamete development—T.S. of testis & ovary (grasshopper/mice).
4 Meiosis in onion bud cell or grasshopper testis (permanent slides).
5 T.S. of blastula (mammalian, permanent slides).
6 Mendelian inheritance using seeds of different colours/sizes.
7 Pedigree charts for genetic traits (tongue rolling, blood groups, ear lobes, widow’s peak, and colour blindness).
8 Controlled pollination—emasculation, tagging, and bagging.
9 Disease-causing organisms—Ascaris, Entamoeba, Plasmodium, fungi (ringworm) (slides/models/specimens)—& disease symptoms.
10 Models/specimens—symbiosis in lichens, legume root nodules, parasitism by Cuscuta.
11 Flashcards/models—examples of homologous & analogous organs.

CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical Syllabus Weightage

The CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical is worth 30 marks. Below is the distribution of marks:

Source: cbseacademic.nic.in

CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus Weightage

​​The CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2025-26 carries a total of 70 marks for theory and 30 marks for practicals.

The unit-wise marks distribution given below highlights that Genetics & Evolution and Reproduction are the most important sections for scoring well in the exam.

Unit No. Unit Name Marks
VI Reproduction 16
VII Genetics and Evolution 20
VIII Biology and Human Welfare 12
IX Biotechnology and Its Applications 12
X Ecology and Environment 10
Total 70
 

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CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam

CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus: Previous Years' Question Papers

The CBSE Class 12 Biology last 10 years' question papers are tabulated below. This will help the students to know the most repeated questions in the CBSE Class 12 Biology exam:

CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus: NCERT Solutions

​The table below provides direct links to the NCERT Solutions for the CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus:

Chapter Class 12 Biology NCERT Solution
Chapter 2 – Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants Check Here
Chapter 3 – Human Reproduction Check Here
Chapter 4 – Reproductive Health Check Here
Chapter 5 – Principles of Inheritance and Variation Check Here
Chapter 6 – Molecular Basis of Inheritance Check Here
Chapter 7 – Evolution Check Here
Chapter 8 – Human Health and Diseases Check Here
Chapter 10 – Microbes in Human Welfare Check Here
Chapter 11 – Biotechnology – Principles and Processes Check Here
Chapter 12 – Biotechnology and Its Applications Check Here
Chapter 13 – Organisms and Populations Check Here
Chapter 14 – Ecosystem Check Here
Chapter 15 – Biodiversity and Its Conservation Check Here

CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus: Recommended Books

NCERT books are the most reliable resources for preparing for the CBSE Class 12 Biology exam, as they strictly follow the prescribed syllabus. Many questions in the board exam are directly based on the NCERT content.

For additional practice and deeper understanding, students can also refer to the following reference books:

Book Author Name
CBSE Biology Chapterwise Solved Papers Class 12 Arihant Expert
Together with Biology S. Chand
Class 12 Biology Campbell and Reece
Biology for Class XII B.P. Pandey
Trueman’s Elementary Biology for Class 12 K.N. Bhatia and M.P. Tyagi

CBSE Class 12 Biology Exam Preparation Tips

To secure good marks in the CBSE Class 12 Biology exam, students should follow smart study strategies. The table below lists some useful preparation tips:

Details Preparation Tips
Focus on NCERT The majority of exam questions are based on the NCERT textbooks, so go through them carefully.
Understand Diagrams Label and practice key flowcharts and diagrams for easy review.
Focus on High-Weightage Units Give extra time to genetics & evolution, and reproduction.
Revise Regularly Create diagrams of thought, summaries, and brief notes for last-minute editing.
Solve Previous Papers Examine the question papers from the past ten years to find recurring themes.
Stay Healthy & Consistent Keep a study schedule, get 7-8 hours of sleep, and eat healthily before tests.

FAQs

​Ques. What is the syllabus of the Biology class 12 CBSE?

Ans. The syllabus of the CBSE Class 12 Biology syllabus is given below in table form:

Unit Chapters
Unit VI – Reproduction 1. Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants2. Human Reproduction3. Reproductive Health
Unit VII – Genetics and Evolution 4. Principles of Inheritance and Variation5. Molecular Basis of Inheritance6. Evolution
Unit VIII – Biology and Human Welfare 7. Human Health and Diseases8. Microbes in Human Welfare
Unit IX – Biotechnology 9. Principles of Biotechnology10. Applications of Biotechnology in Health & Agriculture
Unit X – Ecology 11. Organisms and Populations12. Ecosystem13. Biodiversity and Conservation

Ques. How many chapters are there in class 12 CBSE Biology?

Ans. The Class 12 Biology NCERT textbook is divided into five units, with a total of thirteen chapters. There are no other chapters included. The 5 Units are:

  • ​​Unit VI – Reproduction
  • Unit VII – Genetics and Evolution
  • Unit VIII – Biology and Human Welfare
  • Unit IX – Biotechnology
  • Unit X – Ecology

Ques. What is the toughest chapter in Biology class 12?

Ans. While difficulty varies from student to student, in general:

  • The molecular basis of inheritance is thought to be the most difficult because of intricate procedures like gene regulation, transcription, translation, and replication.
  • Mendelian genetics, deviations, linkage, and disorders make Principles of Inheritance & Variation challenging.
  • Evolution involves many concepts and necessitates a solid grasp of the evidence and mechanisms.

Ques. Which chapter was removed from the NCERT Biology?

Ans. ​​During syllabus revision, the NCERT removed some chapters and topics. For Class 12 Biology, the chapters removed include:

  • Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production
  • Environmental Issues

Ques. Does NEET follow the new NCERT syllabus?

Ans. Yes, NEET is strictly based on the latest NCERT Class 11 & 12 Biology textbooks.

  • No NEET questions will cover any chapters or subjects that were dropped from the NCERT.
  • Environmental Issues and Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production are examples of chapters that are not included in the NEET 2026 Biology syllabus.

Students should concentrate on the NCERT line by line because a large number of NEET questions are taken directly from or slightly altered from NCERT Biology.

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

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