CBSE Class 12 Psychology Syllabus for Board Exam 2026-27, Download Free PDF Here

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has designed the Psychology Syllabus for Class 12th (Academic Session 2026-27) as a premier elective syllabus to do just that. This advanced curriculum goes beyond introductory concepts, and explores in depth the fascinating facets of human experience, behaviour and behavioural diversity in complex socio-cultural settings.

The main aim of the Subject Code - 037 course is to combine the fundamental theories of psychometrics with practical applications. They will follow a detailed 100 mark framework over the academic year, consisting of a 70 mark theoretical paper and a 30 mark internal practical project. 

Whether it's uncovering differences in human intelligence or examining the intricacies of psychological health, stress management, and therapeutic clinical frameworks, this syllabus is meticulously balanced. 

Not only does it help students prepare for competitive post-secondary education goals but it also diminishes stigma and helps to create empathetic and emotionally intelligent global citizens. The following is the full official program of the unit structures, specific topics and evaluation metrics needed for the academic year. 

Class XII CBSE Psychology COURSE STRUCTURE

CLASS XII (2026-27)

Theory Paper

Time: 3 HoursMarks: 70

COURSE 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 Wellbeing-

• 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

3. Factors contributing to healing in Psychotherapy

4. Ethics in Psychotherapy

5. 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

QUESTION PAPER DESIGN

CLASS - XII (2026-27)

I. Theory: 70 Marks

Time: 3 HoursMaximum Marks: 70

CBSE Class 12 Psychology Syllabus for Board Exam 2026-27, Download Free PDF Here

The syllabus is structured into seven different theoretical units (70 marks) and a practical-based module of immersion (30 marks), so that learners will not merely learn facts, but learn to apply, analyse and synthesise psychological concepts.  The carefully crafted question paper reflects the present trend in modern education of having 50% of the weightage in the form of application, analysis, evaluation, and creative thinking. 

In addition, the practical curriculum requires students to have first-hand experience in case-profiling and formal psychological tests administration, thus filling the gap between the high school learning and the actual undergraduate laboratory experience.