CBSE Class 12 Physics Exam 2026 Analysis; Mixed Reactions on Difficulty; Download Question Paper Here

Varied student reactions to paper difficulty, experts rate exam as moderate but completely syllabus-aligned.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) successfully conducted the Class 12 Physics theory examination on February 20, 2026. The exam took place in a single morning shift from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, with question booklets distributed at 10:15 AM for a 15-minute reading time. This paper forms part of the ongoing CBSE board examinations for the academic year 2025-26, covering over 18 lakh registered Class 12 candidates across thousands of centres nationwide.

Class 12 Physics Paper: Student and Expert Reviews on Difficulty Level

Initial reactions from students and subject experts revealed a range of opinions on the paper’s difficulty. While many students described the exam as moderately difficult to very difficult, citing lengthy numericals and time management challenges, education experts largely rated it as moderate to easy or easy to moderate.

Students reported mixed experiences, with some calling the paper “not too easy, not too hard” and others highlighting its high difficulty due to multi-step calculations.
Experts emphasized that the paper remained well-balanced, strictly aligned with the CBSE syllabus, and focused on conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization.

According to expert reviews, well-prepared candidates who had thoroughly studied NCERT textbooks found the derivations and direct questions comfortable and scoring. The overall consensus among teachers pointed to a student-friendly structure, though slightly lengthy in parts.

Download Class 12 Physics Paper PDF

Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2026

Check out our Class 12 Physics Question Paper with Solutions for all sets.

Class 12 Physics Exam: Section-Wise Highlights and Question Types

The question paper followed the standard CBSE format for Class 12 Physics (Code 042), comprising 33 questions worth 70 marks, divided into five sections:

Section A: Included MCQs and assertion-reasoning questions (1 mark each).
Section B: Featured 2-mark questions from topics like Nuclei, Dual Nature of Matter, Wave Optics, and Moving Charges (e.g., torque-related).
Section C: Contained 3-mark questions mixing theory and numericals, covering Gauss’s Law, Wheatstone network, capacitors, p-n junction diodes, ray diagrams, semiconductors, and Total Internal Reflection.
Section D: Included case study-based questions (4 marks each) on topics such as Galvanometer and Photoelectric Effect, noted as moderately application-oriented.
Section E: Long-answer 5-mark questions focused on derivations from Electrostatics, Ray Optics, and Electromagnetic Induction & Alternating Current (EMI & AC).

The paper featured a blend of direct theory questions (approximately 25-30 marks), numericals (with lower weightage than previous years but multi-step and analytical), case-based analytical problems, and derivation-heavy long answers. Chapter-wise weightage aligned closely with the syllabus, with Optics carrying the highest marks (around 21), followed by Electrostatics and Current Electricity (17 each), Magnetism & EMI/AC (17), Modern Physics (12), and Semiconductor Electronics (7).

Key Observations from Experts

Subject specialists noted a stronger emphasis on conceptual clarity, application-based thinking, and derivations over excessive numerical complexity. While some questions demanded strong problem-solving skills, the reduced numerical weightage and syllabus adherence made it accessible for prepared students. One expert described it as “concept-based and student-friendly,” with opportunities for high scores in derivation sections.

Written by Abhijeet Chatterjee

Abhijeet Chatterjee is a professional Content and Copy specialist with over five years of experience in crafting compelling content around the Edtech domain. His portfolio includes notable work for companies such as PhysicsWallah, Roar Media, Jagran Josh, etc. Academically, Abhijeet holds a Master's in Mass Communication, where he was awarded a gold medal for his outstanding performance. He has also qualified for the UGC NET in Mass Communication, demonstrating his expertise and a deep understanding of the field. His academic foundation is built on a Bachelor's degree in English Literature. Beyond his professional work, Abhijeet is an avid writer and a cinephile. His personal interests include scriptwriting, film criticism, and reading novels.

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