The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has released the updated ISC Class 12 English Syllabus 2025-26. The subject is divided into two key components: English Language and Literature in English, each carrying a Theory Paper of 80 marks and Project Work of 20 marks.
This article outlines the complete syllabus, question paper structure, project guidelines, and the prescribed texts, along with detailed marking schemes to help students effectively prepare for the upcoming ISC 2026 board exams.
ISC 12th English Syllabus 2025-26 PDF Download
Students can download the official PDF syllabus from the CISCE website or download it through the link provided below:
Click here to download ISC 12th English Syllabus 2026 PDF
ISC Class 12 English Subject Structure
| Component | Paper | Marks | Assessed By |
| English Language | Paper I (Theory) | 80 | External |
| Paper II (Project Work) | 20 | Internal + External | |
| Literature in English | Paper I (Theory) | 80 | External |
| Paper II (Project Work) | 20 | Internal + External |
English Language Syllabus & Exam Pattern (Paper I - 80 Marks)
All questions in this paper are compulsory and aim to test writing, comprehension, grammar, and proposal-writing skills.
Paper Structure
| Question No. | Type | Description |
| 1 | Composition | Choose one out of six topics. Types include narrative, descriptive, reflective, argumentative, discursive, or short story (400–450 words). |
| 2 (a) | Directed Writing | Article, speech, report, SOP, or book review based on provided points (250–300 words). |
| 2 (b) | Proposal Writing | Based on a given situation. Must include: Introduction, Objectives, Measures, and a concluding statement. |
| 3 | Grammar | Compulsory short-answer questions on sentence transformation, phrasal verbs, tenses, etc. |
| 4 | Comprehension | A 700-word passage with vocabulary, inference, and a summary writing component. Summary must follow a grid format without abbreviations. |
English Language Project Work (Paper II - 20 Marks)
Project Work consists of Listening, Speaking, and Writing Skills.
Listening & Speaking Skills
| Skill | Description | Marks |
| Listening | Based on a 500-word unseen passage read aloud twice. Students respond to objective-type questions. | 5 |
| Speaking | 3-minute individual presentation followed by a 2–3 minute discussion with the teacher. | 5 |
Writing Skills (Externally Assessed by Visiting Examiner)
| Criteria | Marks |
| Formatting & Title Page | 2 |
| Originality (No plagiarism) | 2 |
| Use of Appropriate Language | 2 |
| Unified Structure & Flow | 2 |
| Effective, Lucid Style | 2 |
| Total | 10 |
ISC Literature in English Syllabus 2025-26
The literature syllabus is divided into three main genres: Drama, Short Stories, and Poetry. Students will answer questions assessing comprehension, literary appreciation, and analytical thinking.
ISC 12th Literature in English Prescribed Texts 2025–26
| Genre | Title | Author/Poet |
| Drama | Macbeth (Acts III, IV & V) | William Shakespeare |
| Short Story | Atithi / Guest | Rabindranath Tagore |
| The Cookie Lady | Philip K. Dick | |
| There Will Come Soft Rains | Ray Bradbury | |
| Indigo | Satyajit Ray | |
| The Medicine Bag | Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve | |
| Poetry | Telephone Conversation | Wole Soyinka |
| Tithonus | Alfred, Lord Tennyson | |
| Beethoven | Shane Koyczan | |
| Small Towns and the River | Mamang Dai | |
| Death Be Not Proud | John Donne |
Literature Project Work (Paper II - 20 Marks)
Students must submit a written assignment (1000–1500 words) exploring a drama, short story, or poem from the Class XII syllabus.
Suggested Topics
- Thematic analysis
- Character analysis
- Cultural/historical background of the author
- Summary or paraphrase of a text
- Literary appreciation
- Personal response as a character
- Imagining an alternate ending
- Comparative analysis of characters/themes
- Script writing based on a poem/story
- Writing a short story based on a poem
Project Evaluation Breakdown
| Evaluation Criteria | Internal (Teacher) | External (Visiting Examiner) |
| Identifying topic, outline preparation (Process) | 3 | – |
| Literary understanding, use of structure & analysis | 4 | 6 |
| Formatting and overall presentation | 3 | 4 |
| Total Marks | 10 | 10 |
Note: Texts used for Class XI project work must not be repeated in Class XII.
ISC 12th English Preparation Tips
- Thoroughly read each prescribed text.
- Practice past years’ ISC question papers.
- Understand marking criteria for projects and language papers.
- Focus equally on internal assessments for better overall results.
