Complete Guide to CBSE Physics Class 12 Syllabus 2023–24 with Topics & Marks

If you’re preparing for your Class 12 Physics CBSE exams in the 2023–24 academic year, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through the entire syllabus, unit by unit, and explain exactly what you need to study, how it’ll be assessed, and how to best prepare.

Let’s make Physics less overwhelming and more manageable, one concept at a time.

 What’s the Purpose of the Physics Class 12 Syllabus?

The CBSE Class 12 Physics syllabus for 2023–24 is designed to give you a solid foundation in understanding the physical world around you. It focuses on building analytical and problem-solving skills, enhancing your scientific reasoning, and preparing you for competitive exams like JEE, NEET, and others.

It’s not just about memorizing formulas — it’s about understanding how the world works.

 CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2023–24: Units & Topics Breakdown

The 2023–24 syllabus is divided into two terms with nine major units, each with specific chapters and concepts. Here’s how it looks:

Term 1 Units

Unit I: Electrostatics (16 Marks)

• Chapter 1: Electric Charges and Fields

  • Types of charges, conductors/insulators, Coulomb’s law, field lines, electric field due to system of charges.

• Chapter 2: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

  • Electric potential, potential difference, equipotential surfaces, capacitors and their combinations, energy stored in capacitors.

Skills Developed: Conceptual clarity on how charges interact and how electric fields behave in different conditions.

Unit II: Current Electricity

• Chapter 3: Current Electricity

  • Ohm’s Law, resistivity, color code of resistors, combination of resistors, Kirchhoff’s laws, Wheatstone bridge, meter bridge, potentiometer.

Skills Developed: Problem-solving and circuit analysis skills. A must-know for electrical practicals and real-world applications.

Term 2 Units

Unit III: Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism

• Chapter 4: Moving Charges and Magnetism

  • Magnetic field due to current, Biot-Savart law, Ampere’s law, force on current in a magnetic field, cyclotron.

• Chapter 5: Magnetism and Matter

  • Magnetic properties of materials, Earth’s magnetism, magnetization.

Skills Developed: Understanding magnetic forces and their applications in devices and the natural world.

Unit IV: Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents

• Chapter 6: Electromagnetic Induction

  • Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws, eddy currents, self/ mutual induction.

• Chapter 7: Alternating Current

  • AC circuits, impedance, reactance, power in AC circuits, transformers.

Skills Developed: Analytical reasoning and understanding of how AC devices work — from power grids to transformers.

Unit V: Electromagnetic Waves

• Chapter 8: Electromagnetic Waves

  • Basics of EM waves, spectrum, uses of EM waves.

Skills Developed: Insight into communication systems and wave-based technologies.

Unit VI: Optics

• Chapter 9: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

  • Reflection, refraction, lenses, optical instruments like microscopes and telescopes.

• Chapter 10: Wave Optics

  • Interference, diffraction, polarization.

Skills Developed: Visual understanding of wave phenomena and optics — essential for many entrance exams.

Unit VII: Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation

• Chapter 11: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

  • Photoelectric effect, Einstein’s equation, de Broglie wavelength.

Unit VIII: Atoms and Nuclei

• Chapter 12: Atoms

  • Rutherford and Bohr models, spectra.

• Chapter 13: Nuclei

  • Radioactivity, nuclear fission/fusion.

Unit IX: Electronic Devices

• Chapter 14: Semiconductor Electronics

  • Diodes, transistors, logic gates, digital electronics.

Skills Developed: Basic understanding of electronics used in modern technology.

 Exam Pattern and Marks Distribution

CBSE Physics 2023–24 follows a mix of:

• MCQs (1 mark)

• Short answer questions (2–3 marks)

• Long answer questions (5 marks)

 Recommended Study Materials

• NCERT Physics Part I & II (Class 12) – your main textbook. Don’t skip examples or exercises!

• CBSE Sample Papers & Past Year Papers

• Physics Lab Manual

• Reference Books (Optional): HC Verma Vol II, SL Arora, DC Pandey for concept clarity and practice.

 Study Tips & Strategies

• Start with NCERT – It’s the Bible for Class 12 Physics.

• Create a chapter-wise timetable and revise regularly.

• Focus on numericals and concept-based theory.

• Practice diagrams, especially in Optics and Semiconductors.

• Solve at least 5 years’ worth of PYQs – questions repeat often!

• Use flashcards for formulas and important concepts.

• Schedule weekly mock tests to build speed and confidence.

 Important Deadlines & Organization Tips

• Syllabus Completion: Target mid-December.

• First Revision Round: By mid-January.

• Mock Tests & PYQs: February onward.

• Board Exams: Typically begin in February/March.

 Use a syllabus tracker, maintain a notes file, and mark tricky problems to revisit later.

 FAQ for Physics Class 12 Syllabus 2023 24

Q1. Is there any change in the Class 12 Physics syllabus for 2023–24?
Yes, CBSE made slight rationalizations. Topics like communication systems are not part of the syllabus anymore.

Q2. Are NCERT books enough for scoring well in Physics Class 12?
Absolutely. NCERT covers every topic mentioned in the official syllabus and forms the basis of board exam questions.

Q3. How much weightage does the practical exam carry?
30 marks. This includes experiments, viva, and project work.

Q4. Which chapters are most important for board exams?
Optics, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, and Dual Nature often carry the most marks.

Q5. What is the best way to prepare for numericals?
Practice daily, understand the formula derivations, and solve previous years’ numericals for application-based confidence.