CBSE Class 11 Biology Syllabus 2026-27
CBSE released the CBSE Class 11 Biology Syllabus 2026–27 on April 2, 2026, for the current academic session. The syllabus is the official curriculum document for students studying Biology in Class 11 under the Central Board of Secondary Education. It explains the complete course structure, unit-wise topics, chapter list, practical syllabus, and marking scheme prescribed by CBSE.
The syllabus helps students understand important chapters, theory weightage, practical evaluation, and internal assessment criteria for the annual examination. It also supports chapter-wise preparation and better study planning throughout the session. The curriculum follows the latest NCERT Biology guidelines and focuses on concept-based learning.
Students can also check the CBSE Class 11 Biology Exam Pattern 2026–27 on this page to understand the question paper format and marks distribution. To access the latest official syllabus document, students can download the CBSE Class 11 Biology Syllabus 2026–27 PDF from the link provided below.
CBSE Class 11 Biology Latest Syllabus 2026-27
| Units | Title | Marks | |
| I | Diversity of Living Organisms | 15 | |
| II | Structural Organization in Plants and Animals | 10 | |
| III | Cell: Structure and Function | 15 | |
| IV | Plant Physiology | 12 | |
| V | Human Physiology | 18 | |
| Total | 70 | ||
CBSE Class 11 Biology Syllabus 2026-27: Unit-wise Summary
Unit-I Diversity of Living Organisms
Chapter-1: The Living World
Biodiversity; Need for classification; three domains of life; taxonomy and systematics; concept of species and taxonomical hierarchy; binomial nomenclature
Chapter-2: Biological Classification
Five kingdom classification; Salient features and classification of Monera, Protista and Fungi into major groups; Lichens, Viruses and Viroids.
Chapter-3: Plant Kingdom
Classification of plants into major groups; Salient and distinguishing features and a few
examples of Algae, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnospermae and Angiosperms.
Chapter-4: Animal Kingdom
Salient features and classification of animals, non-chordates up to phyla level and chordates up to class level (salient features and at a few examples of each category).
(No live animals or specimen should be displayed.)
Unit-II Structural Organization in Plant s and Animals
Chapter-5: Morphology of Flowering Plants
Morphology of different parts of flowering plants: root, stem, leaf, inflorescence, flower, fruit and seed. Description of family Solanaceae
Chapter-6: Anatomy of Flowering Plants
Anatomy and functions of tissue systems in dicots and monocots.
Chapter-7: Structural Organisation in Animals
Morphology, Anatomy and functions of different systems (digestive, circulatory,respiratory, nervous and reproductive) of frog.
Unit-III Cell: Structure and Function
Chapter-8: Cell-The Unit of Life
Cell theory and cell as the basic unit of life, structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; Plant cell and animal cell; cell envelope; cell membrane, cell wall; cell organelles - structure and function; endomembrane system, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi bodies, lysosomes, vacuoles, mitochondria, ribosomes, plastids, microbodies; cytoskeleton, cilia, flagella, centrioles (ultrastructure and function); nucleus.
Chapter-9: Biomolecules
Chemical constituents of living cells: biomolecules, structure and function of proteins,
carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids; Enzyme - types, properties, enzyme action.
(Topics excluded: Nature of Bond Linking Monomers in a Polymer, Dynamic State of Body Constituents Concept of Metabolism, Metabolic Basis of Living, The Living State)
Chapter-10: Cell Cycle and Cell Division
Cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis and their significance
Unit-IV Plant Physiology
Chapter-11: Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
Photosynthesis as a means of autotrophic nutrition; site of photosynthesis, pigments involved in photosynthesis (elementary idea); photochemical and biosynthetic phases of photosynthesis; cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation; chemiosmotic hypothesis; photorespiration; C3 and C4 pathways; factors affecting photosynthesis.
Chapter-12: Respiration in Plants
Exchange of gases; cellular respiration - glycolysis, fermentation (anaerobic), TCA cycle and electron transport system (aerobic); energy relations - number of ATP molecules generated; amphibolic pathways; respiratory quotient.
Chapter-13: Plant - Growth and Development
Seed germination; phases of plant growth and plant growth rate; conditions of growth; differentiation, dedifferentiation and redifferentiation; sequence of developmental processes in a plant cell; plant growth regulators - auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, ethylene, ABA.
Unit-V Human Physiology
Chapter-14: Breathing and Exchange of Gases
Respiratory organs in animals (recall only); Respiratory system in humans; mechanism of
breathing and its regulation in humans - exchange of gases, transport of gases and
regulation of respiration, respiratory volume; disorders related to respiration - asthma,
emphysema, occupational respiratory disorders.
Chapter-15: Body Fluids and Circulation
Composition of blood, blood groups, coagulation of blood; composition of lymph and its
function; human circulatory system - Structure of human heart and blood vessels; cardiac
cycle, cardiac output, ECG; double circulation; regulation of cardiac activity; disorders of
circulatory system - hypertension, coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, heart failure.
Chapter-16: Excretory Products and their Elimination
Modes of excretion - ammonotelism, ureotelism, uricotelism; human excretory system –
structure and function; urine formation, osmoregulation; regulation of kidney function -
renin - angiotensin, atrial natriuretic factor, ADH and diabetes insipidus; role of other
organs in excretion; disorders - uremia, renal failure, renal calculi, nephritis; dialysis and
artificial kidney, kidney transplant.
Chapter-17: Locomotion and Movement
Types of movement - ciliary, flagellar, muscular; skeletal muscle, contractile proteins and muscle contraction; skeletal system and its functions; joints; disorders of muscular and skeletal systems - myasthenia gravis, tetany, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, osteoporosis, gout.
Chapter-18: Neural Control and Coordination
Neuron and nerves; Nervous system in humans - central nervous system; peripheral nervous system and visceral nervous system; generation and conduction of nerve impulse
Chapter-19: Chemical Coordination and Integration
Endocrine glands and hormones; human endocrine system - hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, gonads; mechanism of hormone action (elementary idea); role of hormones as messengers and regulators, hypo - and hyperactivity and related disorders; dwarfism, acromegaly, cretinism, goiter, exophthalmic goitre, diabetes, Addison's disease.
The following topics are included in the syllabus but will be assessed only formatively to
reinforce understanding without adding to summative assessments. The reduces
academic stress while ensuring meaningful learning. Schools can integrate these with
existing chapters as they align well. Relevant NCERT textual material is enclosed for
reference.
Digestion and Absorption (Please Refer to CBSE Reading Material) Alimentary canal and digestive glands, role of digestive enzymes and gastrointestinal hormones; Peristalsis, digestion, absorption and assimilation of proteins, carbohydrates and fats; calorific values of proteins, carbohydrates and fats; egestion; nutritional and digestive disorders - PEM, indigestion, constipation, vomiting, jaundice, diarrhea.
Evaluation Scheme for Examination
| Evaluation Scheme | Marks |
| One Major Experiment Part A (Experiment No- 1,3,7,8) | 5 Marks |
| One Minor Experiment Part A (Experiment No- 6,9,10,11,12,13) | 4 Marks |
| Slide Preparation Part A (Experiment No- 2,4,5) | 5 Marks |
| Spotting Part B | 7 Marks |
| Practical Record + Viva Voce (Credit to the student’s work over | 4 Marks |
| Project Record + Viva Voce the academic session may be given) | 5 Marks |
| Total | 30 Marks |
A: List of Experiments
- Study and describe locally available common flowering plants, from family Solanaceae (Poaceae, Asteraceae or Brassicaceae can be substituted in case of particular geographical location) including dissection and display of floral whorls, anther and ovary to show number of chambers (floral formulae and floral diagrams), type of root (tap and adventitious); type of stem (herbaceous and woody); leaf (arrangement, shape, venation, simple and compound).
- Preparation and study of T.S. of dicot and monocot roots and stems (primary).
- Study of osmosis by potato osmometer.
- Study of plasmolysis in epidermal peels (e.g. Rhoeo/lily leaves or flashy scale leaves of onion bulb).
- Study of distribution of stomata on the upper and lower surfaces of leaves.
- Comparative study of the rates of transpiration in the upper and lower surfaces of leaves.
- Test for the presence of sugar, starch, proteins and fats in suitable plant and animal materials.
- Separation of plant pigments through paper chromatography.
- Study of the rate of respiration in flower buds/leaf tissue and germinating seeds.
- Test for presence of urea in urine.
- Test for presence of sugar in urine.
- Test for presence of albumin in urine.
- Test for presence of bile salts in urine.
B. Study and Observe the following (spotting):
- Parts of a compound microscope.
- Specimens/slides/models and identification with reasons - Bacteria, Oscillatoria, Spirogyra, Rhizopus, mushroom, yeast, liverwort, moss, fern, pine, one monocotyledonous plant, one dicotyledonous plant and one lichen.
- Virtual specimens/slides/models and identifying features of - Amoeba, Hydra, liver
fluke, Ascaris, leech, earthworm, prawn, silkworm, honey bee, snail, starfish, shark, rohu, frog, lizard, pigeon and rabbit. - Mitosis in onion root tip cells and animal’s cells (grasshopper) from permanent slides.
- Types of inflorescence (cymose and racemose).
- Human skeleton and different types of joints with the help of virtual images/models
only.
Practical Examination for Visually Impaired Students Class XI
Note: The ‘Evaluation schemes’ and ‘General Guidelines’ for visually impaired students
as given for Class XII may be followed.
A. Items for Identification/Familiarity with the apparatus /equipment /animal and
plant material / chemicals for assessment in practicals (All experiments)
B. Equipment - compound microscope, test tube, petri dish, chromatography paper,
chromatography chamber, beaker, scalpel
Chemical – alcohol
Models – Model of Human skeleton to show – Ball and socket joints of girdles and limbs, Rib cage, Honeycomb, Mollusc shell, Pigeon and Star fish, cockroach Specimen/Fresh Material – mushroom, succulents such as Aloe vera/ kalenchoe, raisins, potatoes, seeds of monocot and dicot- maize and gram or any other plant, plants of Solanaceae - Brinjal, Petunia, any other
C. List of Practicals
- Study locally available common flowering plants of the family – Solanaceae and identify type of stem (Herbaceous or Woody), type of leaves (Compound or Simple).
- Study the parts of a compound microscope- eye piece and objective lens, mirror, stage, coarse and fine adjustment knobs.
- Differentiate between monocot and dicot plants on the basis of venation patterns.
- Study the following parts of human skeleton (Model): Ball and socket joints of thigh and shoulder
- Rib cage
- Study honeybee/butterfly, snail/sheik snail through shell, Starfish, Pigeon (through models).
- Identify the given specimen of a fungus – mushroom, gymnosperm-pine cone.
- Identify and relate the experimental set up with the aim of experiment: For Potato Osmometer/endosmosis in raisins.
Note: The above practicals may be carried out in an experiential manner rather than only recording observations.
Prescribed Books:
- Biology Class-XI, Published by NCERT
- Other related books and manuals brought out by NCERT (including multimedia).
- Biology supplementary Material (Revised). Available on CBSE Website.
- Reading Material Biology Class XI.
The Changes for Class 11 (2026-27) Year-end Board Examinations are as under:
| (Class-11) | ||
| Periodic Assessment | Academic Session 2025-26 | Academic Session 2026-27 |
| Composition of question paper for year-end examination/ Board Examination (Theory) |
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