CBSE Class 12 Psychology Syllabus 2026–27

CBSE Class 12 Psychology Syllabus 2026–27 is the official list of unit-wise topics, chapters, exam pattern, and marking scheme prescribed by CBSE for board exam preparation. It also includes the latest PDF download for student access.

CBSE released this updated syllabus on April 1, 2026, for the new academic session. Students should follow the latest syllabus to avoid missing important topics in the board exam.

This page provides a clear unit-wise summary, updated paper pattern, and direct PDF download. The syllabus helps students understand topic weightage, question trends, and important chapters.

Download the CBSE Class 12 Psychology Syllabus 2026–27 PDF from the link given below to start preparation with the latest topics.

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Table Of Contents−
CBSE Class 12 MLQB

CBSE Class 12 Psychology Latest Syllabus for 2026–27

Units Topics Marks
I Variations in Psychological Attributes 13
II Self and Personality 13
III Meeting Life Challenges 9
IV Psychological Disorders 12
V Therapeutic Approaches 9
VI Attitude and Social Cognition 8
VII Social Influence and Group Processes 6
  Total 70

CBSE Class 12 Psychology Syllabus 2026–27: Unit-wise Summary

Unit Content
Unit I Variations in Psychological Attributes
The topics in this unit are:
  1. Introduction
  2. Individual Differences in Human Functioning
  3. Assessment of Psychological Attributes
  4. Intelligence
  5. Psychometric Theories of Intelligence, Information Processing Theory: Planning, Attention-arousal and Simultaneous successive Model of Intelligence, Triarchic Theory of Intelligence; Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
  6. Individual Differences in Intelligence
  7. Culture and Intelligence
  8. Emotional Intelligence
  9. Special Abilities: Aptitude: Nature and Measurement
  10. Creativity
Unit II Self and Personality
The topics in this unit are:
  1. Introduction
  2. Self and Personality
  3. Concept of Self
  4. Cognitive and Behavioural aspects of Self
  5. Culture and Self
  6. Concept of Personality
  7. Major Approaches to the Study of Personality
    • Type Approaches
    • Trait Approaches
    • Psychodynamic Approach and Post Freudian Approaches
    • Behavioural Approach
    • Cultural Approach
    • Humanistic Approach
  8. Assessment of Personality
    • Self-report Measures
    • Projective Techniques
    • Behavioural Analysis
Unit III Meeting Life Challenges
The topics in this unit are:
  1. Introduction
  2. Nature, Types and Sources of Stress
  3. Effects of Stress on Psychological Functioning and Health
    • Stress and Health
    • General Adaptation Syndrome
    • Stress and Immune System
    • Lifestyle
  4. Coping with Stress
    • Stress Management Techniques
  5. Promoting Positive Health and Well-being
    • Life Skills
    • Positive Health
Unit IV Psychological Disorders
The topics in this unit are:
  1. Introduction
  2. Concepts of Abnormality and Psychological Disorders
    • Historical Background
  3. Classification of Psychological Disorders
  4. Factors Underlying Abnormal Behaviour
  5. Major Psychological Disorders
    • Anxiety Disorders
    • Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
    • Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
    • Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
    • Dissociative Disorders
    • Depressive Disorder
    • Bipolar and Related Disorders
    • Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
    • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
    • Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders
    • Feeding and Eating Disorders
    • Substance Related and Addictive Disorders
Unit V Therapeutic Approaches
The topics in this unit are:
  1. Nature and Process of psychotherapy
    • Therapeutic relationship
  2. Types of Therapies
    • Behaviour Therapy
    • Cognitive Therapy
    • Humanistic-Existential Therapy
    • Alternative Therapies
    • Factors contributing to healing in Psychotherapy
    • Ethics in Psychotherapy
  3. Rehabilitation of the Mentally Ill
Unit VI Attitude and Social Cognition
The topics in this unit are:
  1. Introduction
  2. Explaining Social Behaviour
  3. Nature and Components of Attitudes
  4. Attitude Formation and Change
    • Attitude Formation
    • Attitude Change
    • Attitude-Behaviour Relationship
  5. Prejudice and Discrimination
  6. Strategies for Handling Prejudice
Unit VII Social Influence and Group Processes
The topics in this unit are:
  1. Introduction
  2. Nature and Formation of Groups
  3. Type of Groups
  4. Influence of Group on Individual Behaviour
    • Social Loafing
    • Group Polarisation
Practical 30 Marks
A. Development of case profile:
Using appropriate methods like interview, observation & psychological tests.

B. Test administration:
Students are required to administer and interpret five psychological tests related to various psychological attributes like intelligence, aptitude, attitude, personality, etc.

C. In the Practical examination, the student will be required to administer and interpret two psychological tests.
Distribution of Marks:
• Practical File and Case Profile 10 Marks
• Viva Voce (Case Profile & Two psychological tests) 05 Marks
• Two tests (5 marks for conducting the tests and 10 marks for reporting) 15 Marks
Total 30 Marks

CBSE Class 12 Psychology Question Paper Design 2026–27

Time:3Hours Maximum Marks: 70
S. No. Competencies Total Marks % Weightage
1 Remembering and Understanding: Exhibiting memory of previously learned material by recalling facts, terms, basic concepts, and answers; Demonstrating understanding of facts and ideas by organizing, comparing, translating, interpreting, giving descriptions and stating main ideas 35 50%
2 Applying: Solving problems to new situations by applying acquired knowledge, facts, techniques and rules in a different way 25 35%
3 Formulating, Analysing, Evaluating and Creating: Examining and breaking information into parts by identifying motives or causes; Making inferences and finding evidence to support generalizations; Presenting and defending opinions by making judgments about information, validity of ideas, or quality of work based on a set of criteria; Compiling information together in a different way by combining elements in a new pattern or proposing alternative solutions 10 15%
Total 70 100%

The Changes for Class 12 (2026–27) Year-end Board Examinations are as under:

(Class-12)
Periodic Assessment Academic Session 2025-26 Academic Session 2026-27
Composition of question paper for year-end examination/ Board Examination (Theory)
  • Competency Focused Questions in the form of MCQs/ Case Based Questions, Source-based Integrated Questions or any other type = 50%
  • Select response type questions (MCQ) = 20%
  • Constructed response questions (Short Answer Questions/Long Answer type Questions, as per existing pattern) = 30%
  • Competency Focused Questions in the form of MCQs/ Case Based Questions, Source-based Integrated Questions or any other type = 50%
  • Select response type questions (MCQ) = 20%
  • Constructed response questions (Short Answer Questions/Long Answer type Questions, as per existing pattern) = 30%

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