The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has recently released the CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24. To access the latest syllabus in PDF format, students can visit the official website at cbseacademic.nic.in.
The CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 encompasses all modules, chapters, and topics for both the theoretical and practical components of the examination. Within the syllabus, students can find information about the marks allocated to each subject, aiding in effective exam preparation. Utilizing the PDF format of the syllabus during the preparation for the CBSE 12th examinations is highly recommended.
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 PDF: Download PDF
Key Highlights of Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24:
Comprehensive Topics:
The syllabus covers a wide array of topics, including cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and human health.
Cell Biology Focus:
Topics within cell biology delve into cell structure, function, division, and signaling, providing students with a thorough understanding of cellular processes.
Molecular Biology Exploration:
The molecular biology section encompasses the study of DNA structure, replication, transcription, translation, and protein synthesis.
Genetics In-Depth:
Genetic issues, ranging from Mendelian genetics to molecular genetics and genetic engineering, are extensively covered.
Evolutionary Concepts:
Evolution topics include the theory of evolution, natural selection, and speciation, contributing to a holistic understanding of life sciences.
Ecological Emphasis:
Ecology topics explore the biosphere, ecosystems, and biodiversity, offering insights into the delicate balance of nature.
Human Health Perspective:
The human health segment delves into the study of the human body, ailments, and the immune system, connecting biology with practical health applications.
Practical Applications:
The syllabus includes practicals that allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in a hands-on manner, enhancing their overall understanding.
Focused Review:
Utilize the syllabus to identify and review key topics, ensuring a focused and targeted approach to exam preparation.
Exam Readiness:
Familiarize yourself with the marking scheme to prioritize high-weightage topics, preparing for both theoretical and practical aspects of the examination.
Competitive Exam Alignment:
The CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 is not only essential for board exams but also serves as a valuable resource for various competitive examinations.
Marking Scheme for CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24:
Theoretical Papers: The theoretical component carries a total of 70 marks, emphasizing the importance of understanding and mastering the theoretical aspects of the subject.
Practical Tests: Practical tests constitute 30 marks, providing students with an opportunity to showcase their application of biological concepts in a practical setting.
By delving into the comprehensive CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24, understanding the marking pattern, and following effective preparation strategies, students can enhance their grasp of biological concepts and excel in both board exams and future pursuits in the field of biology. For further details and a holistic understanding, make sure to read the entire post. Best of luck with your studies!
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 Marking Scheme | |
Topics | Marks |
Reproduction | 16 |
Genetics and Evolution | 20 |
Biology and Human Welfare | 12 |
Biotechnology and its Applications | 12 |
Ecology and Environment | 10 |
Total | 70 |
Important Topics of CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24
The chapters included in each unit are listed in the table below. Students may get a full CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 by clicking on the link provided above.
Important Topics of CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 | ||
Unit No | Chapter No | Particulars |
Unit-VI Reproduction | Chapter 2: Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants | 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 | Male and female reproductive systems; microscopic anatomy of testis and ovary; gametogenesis -spermatogenesis and oogenesis; menstrual cycle; fertilisation, embryo development up to blastocyst formation, implantation; pregnancy and placenta formation (elementary idea); parturition (elementary idea); lactation (elementary idea). | |
Chapter 4: Reproductive Health | Need for reproductive health and prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs); birth control – need and methods, contraception and medical termination of pregnancy (MTP); amniocentesis; infertility and assisted reproductive technologies – IVF, ZIFT, GIFT (Elementary idea for general awareness). | |
Unit-VII Genetics and Evolution | Chapter 5: Principles of Inheritance and Variation | 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 | 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 and rice genome projects; DNA fingerprinting. | |
Chapter-7: Evolution | Origin of life; biological evolution and evidence for biological evolution (palaeontology, comparative anatomy, embryology and molecular evidence); 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. | |
Unit-VIII Biology and Human Welfare | Chapter 8: Human Health and Diseases | Pathogens; parasites causing human diseases (malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, ascariasis, typhoid, pneumonia, common cold, amoebiasis, ring worm) and their control; Basic concepts of immunology – vaccines; cancer, HIV and AIDS; Adolescence – drug and alcohol abuse. |
Chapter 10: Microbes in Human Welfare | Microbes in food processing, industrial production, sewage treatment, energy generation and microbes as bio-control agents and bio-fertilizers. Antibiotics; production and judicious use. | |
Unit-IX Biotechnology and its Applications | Chapter-11: Biotechnology – Principles and Processes | Genetic Engineering (Recombinant DNA Technology). |
Chapter 12: Biotechnology and its Applications | 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. | |
Unit-X Ecology and Environment | Chapter 13: Organisms and Populations | Population interactions – mutualism, competition, predation, parasitism; population attributes – growth, birth rate and death rate, age distribution. (Topics excluded: Organism and its Environment, Major Abiotic Factors, Responses to Abiotic Factors, Adaptations) |
Chapter-14: Ecosystem | Ecosystems: Patterns, components; productivity and decomposition; energy flow; pyramids of number, biomass, energy (Topics excluded: Ecological Succession and Nutrient Cycles) | |
Chapter 15: Biodiversity and Its Conservation | 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 sites. |
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 for Practicals
CBSE Class 12 Practical Biology allows students to conduct experiments and learn about numerous biological principles. Furthermore, the CBSE practical test curriculum for Class 12 Biology covers elements that will most likely be taught in professional courses such as MBBS and BDS.
The Biology Practical CBSE Class 12 experiments are provided here to assist students in better preparing for the board examinations. The majority of the experiments shown here feature information that explains the experiment’s premise.
The Biology Practical Class 12 is broken into three sections: experiment list, spotting, and practicals. Each section’s detailed curriculum is presented below.
Part A – List of Experiments
The following experiments shall be performed by students in CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical:
Part A – List of Experiments |
Prepare a temporary mount to observe pollen germination. |
Study the plant population density by quadrat method. |
Study the plant population frequency by quadrat method. |
Prepare a temporary mount of the onion root tip to study mitosis. |
Isolate DNA from available plant material (e.g., spinach, green pea seeds, papaya). |
Part B – Spotting (Study and Observe)
Students need to observe and identify the following:
Part B – Spotting (Study and Observe) |
Flowers adapted to pollination by different agencies (wind, insects, birds). |
Pollen germination on stigma through a permanent slide or SEM. |
Identification of stages of gamete development (T.S. of testis and ovary). |
Meiosis in onion bud cells or grasshopper testis through permanent slides. |
T.S. of blastula through permanent slides (Mammalian). |
Mendelian inheritance uses seeds of different colours/sizes of any plant. |
Prepared pedigree charts of genetic traits (e.g., rolling of tongue, blood groups). |
Controlled pollination – emasculation, tagging, and bagging. |
Study of common disease-causing organisms like Entamoeba, Plasmodium, Ascaris and any fungus-causing ringworm through permanent slides, models, or virtual images. |
Models showing symbolic association in root modules of leguminous plants, Cuscuta on the host, and lichens. |
Flashcard models showing examples of homologous and analogous organs. |
Part C – Practicals
The practicals included in the CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 are given below:
Part C – 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 mammalian inheritance pattern using beads/seeds of different sizes/textures. |
Preparation of pedigree charts of genetic traits such as rolling of the tongue, and 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. |
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 Practicals Marking Scheme
The CBSE Biology Practical Class 12 grading structure is shown below:
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 Practicals Marking Scheme | |
Evaluation Component | Marks |
One Major Experiment | 5 |
One Minor Experiment (Experiments 2 & 3) | 4 |
Slide Preparation (Experiment 1 & 4) | 5 |
Spotting | 7 |
Practical Record + Viva Voce | 4 |
Investigatory Project + Project Record + Viva Voce | 5 |
Total | 30 |
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 Question paper design
The table below consists of CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 Question paper design | |
Competencies | |
Demonstrate Knowledge and Understanding | 50% |
Application of Knowledge / Concepts | 30% |
Analyse, Evaluate and Create | 20% |
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24: Steps to Download
Follow the steps mentioned below to download CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus:
Visit the official CBSE website – cbseacademic.nic.in.
From the main page, choose the ‘Curriculum’ tab.
Select the ‘Senior Secondary Curriculum (XI-XII)’ option.
Choose Academic Electives (Group A).
Select the Biology tab. Your displays will present the Biology curriculum for class 12 CBSE 2024. Save the syllabus as a PDF.
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 Deleted Syllabus
The board decided to keep the 30% cut in the Biology curriculum for the CBSE Class 12 Exams 2024. Students may get the updated syllabus PDF by visiting the official website at cbseacademic.nic.in.
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 has 5 units in total. The theoretical portion is worth 70 points, while the practical portion is worth 30 points. The examination lasts three hours.
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 Deleted Syllabus | |||
Units | Chapters | Pages | Deleted Topics |
Unit-VI – Reproduction | Chapter 1: Reproduction in Organisms | 3-18 | The whole chapter deleted |
Unit-VIII – Biology and Human Welfare | Chapter 9: Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production | 165–176, 178 |
The whole chapter deleted |
Unit-X – Ecology and Environment | Chapter 13: Organisms and Populations | 220 221–222 223–225 225–226 250–252 253–254 254–255 255 |
13.1 Organism and Its Environment
Ques. 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12 |
Chapter 14: Ecosystem | 14.6 Ecological Succession
14.7 Nutrient Cycling
14.8 Ecosystem Services |
||
Chapter 16: Environmental Issues | 270–286 | Full Chapter |
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 Practical Deleted Syllabus
The CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical reduced syllabus is listed below:
CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus 2023-24 Practical Deleted Syllabus | ||
Part | Particulars | Deleted Practicals |
A | List of Experiments | 2. Collect and study soil from at least two different sites and study them for texture, moisture content, pH, and water-holding capacity. Correlate with the kinds of plants found in them. 3. Collect water from two different water bodies around you and study them for pH, clarity and presence of any living organism. 4. Study the presence of suspended particulate matter in the air at two widely different sites. 8. Study the effect of different temperatures and three different pH on the activity of salivary amylase on starch. |
B | Study/observation of the following (Spotting) | 10. Two plants and two animals (models/virtual images) were found in xeric conditions. Comment upon their morphological adaptations. 11. Two plants and two animals (models/virtual images) found in aquatic conditions. Comment upon their morphological adaptations. |
Benefits of CBSE Class 12 Biology Syllabus
Holistic Understanding of Biology:
The syllabus covers diverse aspects of biology, including genetics, ecology, evolution, human physiology, and more. This ensures that students gain a holistic understanding of the subject, laying the foundation for advanced studies and practical applications.
Preparation for Competitive Exams:
The CBSE Class 12 Biology syllabus aligns with various competitive exams such as medical entrance exams (NEET) and other biology-related entrance tests. Thorough preparation of the syllabus equips students with the knowledge needed to excel in these exams.
Career Opportunities:
Biology is a versatile subject with applications in medicine, biotechnology, environmental science, research, and more. The syllabus introduces students to various branches of biology, opening up a wide array of career opportunities in the field.
Real-world Applications:
The syllabus incorporates real-world applications, helping students understand the relevance of biological concepts in everyday life. This practical approach enhances the student’s ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations.
Understanding Human Physiology:
The detailed study of human physiology in the syllabus provides students with insights into the functioning of the human body. This knowledge is beneficial for those considering careers in medicine, nursing, or related healthcare professions.
Environmental Awareness:
The syllabus includes topics related to ecology and environmental science, fostering an awareness of environmental issues and the importance of conservation. This knowledge is crucial in addressing global challenges related to biodiversity and sustainability.
Research and Innovation:
Exposure to advanced biological concepts in the syllabus encourages students to explore research and innovation in the field. This can inspire a passion for scientific inquiry and contribute to advancements in biology.
Critical Thinking Skills:
The syllabus is designed to enhance critical thinking and analytical skills. Through problem-solving exercises and case studies, students develop the ability to analyze biological phenomena and draw informed conclusions.
Practical Skills Development:
Practical experiments and activities included in the syllabus enable students to develop essential laboratory skills. This hands-on experience enhances their understanding of biological processes and principles.
Comprehensive Exam Preparation:
The CBSE Class 12 Biology syllabus is designed to prepare students for the board exams. Regular study and understanding of the syllabus contribute to academic success and build a strong foundation for further studies in biology.
CBSE Class 12 Biology Preparation Tips 2024
Preparing for the CBSE Class 12 Biology exam requires a strategic and systematic approach. Here are some effective preparation tips for the CBSE Class 12 Biology exam in 2024:
Understand the Syllabus:
Begin by thoroughly understanding the CBSE Class 12 Biology syllabus. Create a study plan based on the topics, ensuring that you cover each chapter systematically.
Conceptual Understanding:
Biology is a subject that requires a deep conceptual understanding. Focus on understanding the underlying principles and mechanisms rather than rote memorization. Use diagrams, flowcharts, and mnemonics to aid comprehension.
Regular Revision:
Consistent revision is essential for retaining information. Schedule regular revision sessions to reinforce concepts and ensure that you don’t forget key details as the exam approaches.
Prioritize Topics:
Identify the topics that carry more weight in terms of marks and prioritize your preparation accordingly. Ensure that you are well-versed in high-scoring chapters like Genetics, Ecology, and Human Physiology.
Practice Diagrams and Labeling:
Biology exams often include questions that require labeling diagrams. Practice drawing and labeling diagrams for processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and the reproductive system. This not only helps in better understanding but also boosts your exam score.
NCERT Textbook as Primary Reference:
The NCERT Biology textbook is the primary reference material for the CBSE Class 12 exam. Ensure that you read it thoroughly, making notes of important concepts, definitions, and diagrams.
Solve Previous Year Question Papers:
Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and question types by solving the previous year question papers. This practice will help you understand the structure of the exam and identify important topics.
Practice Sample Papers:
In addition to previous year’s papers, practice solving sample papers and model question papers. This will expose you to a variety of questions and help improve your time management skills during the actual exam.
Create a Study Schedule:
Develop a realistic study schedule that allocates sufficient time for each topic. Include breaks in your schedule to avoid burnout and enhance overall productivity.
Seek Clarifications:
If you come across any doubts or difficulties, don’t hesitate to seek clarification from your teachers or classmates. Understanding concepts thoroughly is crucial for performing well in the exam.
Use Online Resources:
Explore online resources such as educational websites, video lectures, and interactive quizzes to supplement your understanding of complex topics. Online resources can provide a different perspective and reinforce your learning.
Stay Healthy:
Maintain a healthy lifestyle during the exam preparation period. Ensure you get enough sleep, eat well, and include regular physical activity in your routine. A healthy body and mind contribute to better concentration and focus.
Mock Tests:
Take full-length mock tests to simulate exam conditions. This will help you assess your preparation level, identify weak areas, and refine your exam strategy.
Stay Positive:
Maintain a positive mindset throughout your preparation. Stay confident, believe in your abilities, and approach the exam with a calm and focused attitude.