ISC Class 11 History Syllabus for Board Exam 2026-27, Download PDF Here
Students can download the latest ISC Class 11 History Syllabus from the download link shared below. This will help students understand the course structure and marking distribution for the theory and practical paper. Check the detailed syllabus, along with the PDF link.
ISC has released the Class 11 syllabus for the 2026-27 academic session. Among core subjects, students can find the Class 11 Histrory syllabus. It is available on the official website of the board and a direct download link is also shared below for students to access the syllabus. The syllabus will help students review and analyse to prepare for the board exam. The subject contains section-A and section-B, and include major topics covering Indian History and World History. Students are also required to practice map work for the assessment. In order to help students understand and review the syallbus, we have provided a detailed syllabus below.
ISC Class 11 2026-27: Key Highlights
The table contains ISC class 11 details for students to stay informed of the major updates such as exam dates and website details. As the exam for 2026-27 is expected during February-March, and practicals are usually held during January or February. Students can check board-specific details from the website details shared in the table.
| Events | Description |
| Examination Name | Indian School Council (ISC) |
| Board Name | Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations |
| Syllabus Release | Officially released in June 2026 on the official website. |
| Main Subject | History |
| Board Exams | Conducted in February-March for Class 11. While practicals usually happen in January or February. |
| Website | cisce.org |
ISC Class 11 History 2026-27: Aims
The board prescribes aims for Class 11 subjects, to promote skills and education. Before reviewing the syallbus, students are suggested to check for the aims assigned to ISC Class 11 Syllabus.
1. To provide accurate knowledge of significant events and personalities of the period under study, in sequence and in context.
2. To familiarize candidates with factual evidence upon which explanations or judgments about the period must be founded.
3. To develop an understanding of the existence of problems and relevance of evidence of explanations.
4. To develop the capacity to marshal facts and evaluate evidence and to discuss issues from a historical point of view.
5. To develop the capacity to read historical views in the light of new evidence or new interpretations of evidence.
6. To foster a sense of historical continuity.
7. To encourage diminution of prejudices and to develop a more international approach to world history.
8. To develop the ability to express views and arguments clearly using correct terminology of the subject.
9. To familiarize candidates with various types of historical evidence and to provide some awareness of the problems involved in evaluating different kinds of source materials.
ICSE Class 11 History Syllabus for Board Exam 2026-27
There will be two papers in the subject: Paper I: Theory 3 hours -80 marks and Paper II: Project Work -20 marks
| Content | Description |
| SECTION A | INDIAN HISTORY 1. Emergence of the Colonial Economy (i) Development of the means of transport and communication. Transportation: a brief look at the development of the railways. (ii) Effect of British revenue policy: Impact on peasants and artisans Disruption of the traditional economy. A general account of the impact of the British revenue policies on peasants and artisans. (iii) Development of modern industries. An account of the growth of large scale machine based industries in western India, its economic impact. (iv) Colonial Forest Policy - impact on local communities. An overview of the 19th century Colonial Forest Policy. Political and economic impact of the Colonial Forest Policy on local communities. 2. Social Movements (i) Struggle against caste – Jyotirao Phule, Narayan Guru, Veerasalingam. A brief outline of their contributions to Indian society. (ii) The Women’s Question Women’s condition in India in the 19th century. Features of the following Acts: Abolition of Sati (1829), Widow Remarriage (1856), Female Infanticide Prevention (ii) Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934). A general account of the features of the Movement; main terms of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact; the 1st and 2nd Round Table Conferences; resumption of the Movement and the Poona Pact. (iii) Government of India Act, 1935. The main features of Government of India Act, 1935, should be explained. A critical account of the election of 1937. A summary of the main developments under Congress and non-Congress ministries should be included. |
| SECTION B | WORLD HISTORY 7. World War I: Causes, events leading to it; Peace settlements (i) Main long-term causes: alliance system, imperialism, militarism (arms race), nationalism. Main short-term causes: events from 1908 to 1914. (ii) Paris Peace Settlements-Changes in the map of Europe; critical evaluation of the Treaty of Versailles. 8. The Great Depression (i) Causes leading to the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and its impact on the economy of USA, Germany & Japan. (ii) Roosevelt and the New Deal – (a) Aims (b) Measures taken. 9. Rise of Communism under Stalin in Russia (1917 -1939) (i) The Russian Revolution of 1917 - causes of the March Revolution and its results; weaknesses of the Provisional Government leading to the November Revolution. (ii) Lenin: reasons for New Economic Policy (NEP) and its impact. (iii) Rise of Stalin to power and factors assisting his rise. (iv) Main features of Stalin’s domestic policy: Collectivization of agriculture. Industrialisation: First and Second Five Year Plans Purges of 1937-1938. 10. Rise of Fascism under Mussolini in Italy (1919-39) (i) Post-War discontent and the rise to power of Benito Mussolini. Conditions which gave rise to Fascism; a brief chronological account of the events which brought Mussolini to power from the election of 1921 to the March on Rome in October 1922. (ii) Main features of Mussolini's domestic policy. Critical appraisal of Mussolini’s policies particularly his economic policy. 11. Rise of Nazism under Hitler in Germany (1933-39) (i) Rise of Hitler to power and factors assisting his rise. Weaknesses of the Weimar Republic as a background to the rise of Nazism; events from 1932 onwards leading to Hitler becoming Chancellor of Germany in 1933; the reasons for his popularity among different groups should be explained. (ii) The Nazi State: from 1933 onwards. Outline of the changes made by Hitler in government, the cultural life and education, army (the Night of the Long Knives), the economy and religious life. Escalation of the campaign against the Jews should be done in some detail, till the "Final Solution", becoming Chancellor of Germany in 1933; the reasons for his popularity among different groups should be explained. (ii) The Nazi State: from 1933 onwards. Outline of the changes made by Hitler in government, the cultural life and education, army (the Night of the Long Knives), the economy and religious life. Escalation of the campaign against the Jews should be done in some detail, till the "Final Solution". becoming Chancellor of Germany in 1933; the reasons for his popularity among different groups should be explained. (ii) The Nazi State: from 1933 onwards. Outline of the changes made by Hitler in government, the cultural life and education, army (the Night of the Long Knives), the economy and religious life. Escalation of the campaign against the Jews should be done in some detail, till the "Final Solution". |
| PAPER II (PROJECT WORK) – 20 MARKS | |
| Candidates will be required to undertake one project on any one of the following history topics from 18th-20th centuries (India/World). 1. Politics – leadership, domestic policy, foreign policy. 2. Military – any war: causes, course and consequences. Strategies & tactics. Technology. Outcome: peace settlements. 3. Economy – economic policy: terms and impact. Currency, communication, trade. Agriculture and industry. 4. Society & culture – Traditions, food, clothing, festivals, role and status of women, education, art, architecture, sculpture, music, dance, literature. 5. Religion – philosophy, ideas, beliefs, practices, impact. The project may be in any one of the following categories: 1. A case study. 2. A field visit/ investigation. 3. A local history. 4. Interview/oral evidence. 5. Book review/ film review/ posters/ newspapers/ advertisements/ cartoons and art. The project may or may not be based on the syllabus; students must be encouraged to produce original, creative, and insightful perspectives on an allied aspect of the topic. The written outcome of the project, in the form of 800–1500-word essay, should be structured as given below: Introduction - Background and context to be discussed very briefly. Main body - Explanation, Interpretation, Analysis and Critical Evaluation of a range of evidence: the research material gathered by the Student. Conclusion - Brief summing up of the topic. Bibliography – a list of all material referred to in the essay, including print, electronic, oral & audio-visual material, referenced correctly, in a standard format. Appendix – optional, only if it is crucial for the better understanding of the project essay. List of Suggested Projects 1. Leaders- political, social, cultural, religious, military. 2. Growth of political organizations in the 18th early 20th centuries. 3. Impact of British colonial policies before/ after 1857. 4. Industrialisation - Impact on the lives of the people. 5. Birth of totalitarian ideologies. 6. The 1920s Cultural Movement in USA - Jazz Age. 7. Changes in nature of warfare – late 19th and early 20th century conflicts, World War I. 8. Growth of feminist movements in the West. 9. Music/art as a medium of protest. 10. Books that changed the course of history. | |
To access a complete syllabus, students can check out the link shared below.
Check: ISC Class 11 History Syllabus 2026-27 PDF
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
The table presents evaluation criteria for the sections of the subject. Given is the mark distribution for topics as precribed by the board:
| Assessment objective | Criteria | Marks |
| 1. Process | Candidates should be able to: Identify the topic, Plan and detail a research project. | 5 |
| 2. Understanding, application of knowledge and Analysis | Candidates should be able to: Explain issues and themes clearly and in context. Interpret, analyse and evaluate critically the topic | 5 |
| 3. Presentation | Overall format and referencing | 5 |
| 4. Viva | Range of questions based on the project only. | 5 |
| Total | 20 |
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