| Updated On - Aug 30, 2024
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2024-25 has been released. You can download the NCERT full syllabus from the official website, cbseacademic.nic. The revised CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 contains a total of 5 units. These 5 units contain 13 chapters. The maximum marks are carried by the unit Genetics and Evolution. Reproduction is the next major unit for the Biology theory exam.
CBSE Class 12 Biology exam date is March 19, 2024. Biology subject carries a total of 100 marks, out of which, 70 marks are carried by the theory paper and 30 marks are allotted to CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical. The question paper will contain MCQ-type, short and long answer questions. Students must also practice important diagrams included in CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24.
- CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24: Chapter-Wise Topics
- CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus Unit-Wise Weightage
- CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical Syllabus 2024-25
- CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical Marks Distribution
- CBSE Class 12 Biology Deleted Syllabus 2024-25
- CBSE Class 12 Biology Previous Years Questions Papers
- CBSE Class 12 Biology NCERT Solutions
- CBSE Class 12 Biology Recommended Books
- CBSE Class 12 Biology Blueprint 2025
- Frequently Asked Questions
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2024-25: Chapter-Wise Topics
Check out the detailed syllabus for CBSE Class 12 Biology exam and the important concepts covered in each chapter below.
REPRODUCTION
Chapter 2: Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
The topics covered in this chapter are mentioned below:
- Flower structure
- Development of male and female gametophytes
- Pollination - types, agencies, and examples
- Out breeding devices
- Pollen-pistil interaction
- Double fertilization
- Post-fertilization events- development of endosperm and embryo, development of seed, and formation of fruit
- Special modes- apomixis, parthenocarpy, polyembryony
- Significance of seed dispersal and fruit formation
Chapter 3: Human Reproduction
The CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2024-25 chapter 3 includes the following topics:
- Male and female reproductive systems
- Microscopic anatomy of testis and ovary
- Gametogenesis- spermatogenesis and oogenesis
- Menstrual cycle
- Fertilization, embryo development up to blastocyst formation, implantation
- Pregnancy and placenta formation (elementary idea)
- Parturition (elementary idea)
- Lactation (elementary idea)
Chapter 4: Reproductive Health
CBSE Class 12 Biology Chapter 4 includes the following topics:
- Need for reproductive health and prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
- Birth control- need and methods, contraception and medical termination of pregnancy (MTP)
- Infertility and assisted reproductive technologies - IVF, ZIFT, GIFT (elementary idea for general awareness)
GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
Chapter 5: Principles of Inheritance and Variation
The topics covered in the chapter Principles of Inheritance and Variation are:
Heredity and Variation
- Mendelian inheritance
- Deviations from Mendelism - incomplete dominance, co-dominance, multiple alleles and inheritance of blood groups, pleiotropy
- Elementary idea of polygenic inheritance
- Chromosome theory of inheritance
- Chromosomes and genes
- Sex determination - in humans, birds, and honey bee
- Linkage and crossing over
- Sex-linked inheritance - haemophilia, colour blindness, Mendelian disorders in humans - thalassemia
- Chromosomal disorders in humans
- Down's syndrome, Turner's, and Klinefelter's syndromes
Chapter 6: Molecular Basis of Inheritance
Students need to study the following topics in the Molecular Basis of Inheritance chapter:
- Search for genetic material and DNA as genetic material
- Structure of DNA and RNA
- DNA packaging
- DNA replication
- Central Dogma
- Transcription, Genetic code, Translation
- Gene expression and regulation - lac operon
- Genome, Human genome project and rice genome projects
- DNA fingerprinting
Chapter 7: Evolution
The topics to be covered in the CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 Chapter 7 are:
- Origin of life
- Biological evolution and evidences for biological evolution (paleontology, comparative anatomy, embryology, and molecular evidences)
- Darwin's contribution, modern synthetic theory of evolution
- Mechanism of evolution - variation (mutation and recombination) and natural selection with examples, types of natural selection
- Gene flow and genetic drift
- Hardy-Weinberg's principle
- Adaptive radiation
- Human evolution
BIOLOGY AND HUMAN WELFARE
Chapter 8: Human Health and Diseases
The important topics covered in the Human Health and Diseases chapter are:
- Pathogens
- Parasites causing human diseases (malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, ascariasis, typhoid, pneumonia, common cold, amoebiasis, ringworm) and their control
- Basic concepts of immunology - vaccines
- Cancer, HIV and AIDS
- Adolescence - drug and alcohol abuse
Chapter 10: Microbes in Human Welfare
CBSE Class 12 Biology Chapter 10 covers the following topics:
- Microbes in food processing, industrial production, sewage treatment, energy generation
- Microbes as bio-control agents and bio-fertilizers
- Antibiotics - production and judicious use
BIOTECNOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATIONS
Chapter 11: Biotechnology - Principles and Processes
The chapter 11 of CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 covers the concept of genetic engineering (recombinant DNA technology)
Chapter 12: Biotechnology and its Applications
This chapter includes the following topics:
- Application of biotechnology in health and agriculture: Human insulin and vaccine production, stem cell technology, gene therapy
- Genetically modified organisms - BT crops
- Transgenic animals
- Biosafety issues, biopiracy, and patents
ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Chapter 13: Organisms and Populations
The topics covered in the CBSE Class 12 Biology Chapter 13 are mentioned below:
- Population interactions - mutualism, competition, predation, parasitism
- Population attributes - growth, birth rate and death rate, age distribution
Chapter 14: Ecosystem
The following are the topics included in the CBSE Class 12 Biology Chapter 14:
- Ecosystems: Patterns, components
- Productivity and decomposition
- Energy flow
- Pyramids of number, biomass, energy
Chapter 15: Biodiversity and its Conservation
The important topics covered in this chapter are:
- Biodiversity - Concept, patterns, importance
- Loss of biodiversity
- Biodiversity conservation
- Hotspots, endangered organisms
- Extinction, Red Data Book, sacred groves, biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and Ramsar
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus Unit-Wise Weightage
The unit-wise mark weightage for the CBCE Class 12 Biology Syllabus is tabulated below:
| 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 Marks | 70 | |
CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical Syllabus 2024-25
CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical Syllabus 2024-25 is tabulated below. Students should follow this given syllabus, as this was updated by the board for the upcoming exam:
A. List of Experiments
1. Prepare a temporary mount to observe pollen germination.
2. Study the plant population density by quadrat method.
3. Study the plant population frequency by quadrat method.
4. Prepare a temporary mount of onion root tip to study mitosis.
5. Isolate DNA from available plant material such as spinach, green pea seeds, papaya, etc.
B. Study and observer the following (Spotting)
1. Flowers adapted to pollination by different agencies (wind, insects, birds).
2. Pollen germination on stigma through a permanent slide or scanning electron micrograph.
3. Identification of stages of gamete development, i.e., T.S. of testis and T.S. of ovary through permanent slides (from grasshopper/mice).
4. Meiosis in onion bud cell or grasshopper testis through permanent slides.
5. T.S. of blastula through permanent slides (Mammalian).
6. Mendelian inheritance using seeds of different colour/sizes of any plant.
7. Prepared pedigree charts of any one of the genetic traits such as rolling of tongue, blood groups, ear lobes, widow's peak and colour blindness.
8. Controlled pollination - emasculation, tagging andbagging.
9. Common disease causing organisms like Ascaris, Entamoeba, Plasmodium, any funguscausing ringworm through permanent slides, models or virtual images or specimens. Comment on symptoms of diseases that they cause.
10. Models specimen showing symbolic association in root modules of leguminous plants, Cuscuta on host, lichens.
11. Flash cards models showing examples of homologous and analogous organs.
C. List of Practicals
- Study of flowers adapted to pollination by different agencies (wind, insects).
- Identification of T.S of morula or blastula of frog (Model).
- Study of Mendelian inheritance pattern using beads/seeds of different sizes/texture.
- Preparation of pedigree charts of genetic traits such as rolling of tongue, colour blindness.
- Study of emasculation, tagging and bagging by trying out an exercise on controlled pollination.
- Identify common disease-causing organisms like Ascaris (model)and learn some common symptoms of the disease that they cause.
- Comment upon the morphological adaptations of plants found in xerophytic conditions.
Note: The above practicals may be carried out in an experiential manner rather than recording observations.
CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical Marks Distribution
CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical carries 30 marks. The distribution of marks is tabulated below:
| Evaluation Scheme | Marks |
|---|---|
| One Major Experiment (5) | 5 |
| One Minor Experiment (2 & 3) | 4 |
| Slide Preparation (1 & 4) | 5 |
| Spotting | 7 |
| Practical Record + VIVA Voce | 4 |
| Investigatory Project and its Project Record + VIVA Voce | 5 |
| Total Marks | 30 |
CBSE Class 12 Biology Deleted Syllabus 2024-25
The topics that were excluded from the CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus in the academic year 2023-24 remain excluded this academic year also. Students can check out the deleted topics of the CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus from the below table:
| Unit | Chapter | Deleted Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Deleted Theory Syllabus | ||
| Reproduction | Chapter 1 – Reproduction in Organisms | Whole Chapter |
| Biology and Human Welfare | Chapter 9 – Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production | Whole Chapter |
| Ecology and Environment | Chapter 13 – Organisms and Populations | Organism and its Environment, Major Abiotic Factors, Responses to Abiotic Factors, Adaptations |
| Chapter 14 – Ecosystem | Ecological Succession and Nutrient Cycles | |
| Deleted Practical Syllabus | ||
| - | List of Experiments | Collect and study soil from at least 2 different sites and study them for texture, moisture content, pH, and water-holding capacity. Correlate with the kinds of plants found in them. Collect water from 2 different water bodies around you and study them for pH, clarity, and presence of any living organism. Study the presence of suspended particulate matter in air at two widely different sites. Study the effect of different temperatures and three different pH on the activity of salivary amylase on starch. |
| - | Spotting | Two plants and two animals (models/virtual images) found in xeric conditions. Comment upon their morphological adaptations. Two plants and two animals (models/virtual images) found in aquatic conditions. Comment upon their morphological adaptations. |
CBSE Class 12 Biology Previous Years Questions Papers
CBSE Class 12 Biology last 10 year question papers are tabulated below. This will help the students to know the most repeated questions in the CBSE Class 12 Biology exam:
| Year | CBSE Class 12 Biology Question Paper |
|---|---|
| 2024 | CBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2024 |
| 2023 | CBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2023 |
| 2022 | CBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2022 |
| 2020 | CBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2020 |
| 2019 | CBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2019 |
| 2018 | CBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2018 |
| 2017 | CBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2017 |
| 2016 | CBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2016 |
| 2015 | CBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2015 |
| 2014 | CBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2014 |
| 2013 | CBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2013 |
CBSE Class 12 Biology NCERT Solutions
CBSE Class 12 Biology NCERT Solutions links are provided in the table below:
| Chapter | Class 12 Biology NCERT Solution | Important Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 2 – Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants | Check Here | Check Here |
| Chapter 3 – Human Reproduction | Check Here | Check Here |
| Chapter 4 – Reproductive Health | Check Here | Check Here |
| Chapter 5 – Principles of Inheritance and Variation | Check Here | Check Here |
| Chapter 6 – Molecular Basis of Inheritance | Check Here | Check Here |
| Chapter 7 – Evolution | Check Here | Check Here |
| Chapter 8 – Human Health and Diseases | Check Here | Check Here |
| Chapter 10 – Microbes in Human Welfare | Check Here | Check Here |
| Chapter 11 – Biotechnology – Principles and Processes | Check Here | Check Here |
| Chapter 12 – Biotechnology and its Applications | Check Here | Check Here |
| Chapter 13 – Organisms and Populations | Check Here | Check Here |
| Chapter 14 – Ecosystem | Check Here | Check Here |
| Chapter 15 – Biodiversity and its Conservation | Check Here | Check Here |
CBSE Class 12 Biology Recommended Books
NCERT books are the best materials to prepare for the CBSE Class 12 Biology exam, as NCERT books strictly follow the CBSE Class 12 Biology syllabus. Questions from NCERT books are sometimes directly asked in the question paper. Furthermore, for better preparation, some of the reference books are listed below:
| 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 Blueprint 2025
CBSE Class 12 Biology question paper will be made based on certain criteria, which are listed below.
| Section | Type of Questions | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | MCQs | 16 | 1 | 16 |
| Section B | Short Answer Questions | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Section C | Short Answer Questions | 7 | 3 | 21 |
| Section D | Case-Based/Source-Based/Passage-Based/Integrated Assessment Questions | 2 | 4 | 08 |
| Section E | Long Answer Questions | 3 | 5 | 15 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. What are the units covered in CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2024-25?
Ans. The syllabus typically includes units such as Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Biology and Human Welfare, Biotechnology and its Applications, and Ecology and Environment.
Ques. Has there been any reduction in CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus for the academic year 2024-25?
Ans. No new reductions have been introduced in CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2024-25. The topics deleted from the syllabus in the previous session remain excluded this year as well.
Ques. What are the prescribed books for CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24?
Ans. Prescribed books for CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2024-25 are:
- Biology, Class-XII, Published by NCERT
- Other related books and manuals brought out by NCERT (consider multimedia also)
- Biology Supplementary Material (Revised) (Available on CBSE website)
*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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