CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2026 PDF (Code 042) All Sets with Solutions– Download Paper, Solutions & Detailed Analysis

The CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 paper was rated moderate by most students and subject experts. Theory-based questions were direct and NCERT-based. However, MCQs were calculation-heavy and multi-step numericals made the paper feel lengthy.

The CBSE Class 12 Physics board exam 2026 was conducted on 20 February 2026 (Friday) from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM across examination centres in India. The theory paper carried 70 marks with an additional 15-minute reading time starting at 10:15 AM. Students can now download the CBSE 12th Physics question paper 2026 PDF for all sets, check the unofficial answer key, and review the complete section-wise paper analysis on this page.

CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2026 – Key Highlights

Detail	Information
Exam Date	20 February 2026 (Friday)
Subject Code	042
Exam Timing	10:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Reading Time	15 minutes (10:15 AM to 10:30 AM)
Total Theory Marks	70
Practical/Internal Assessment Marks	30
Total Questions	33 (compulsory)
Number of Sections	5 (Section A to E)
Mode of Exam	Offline (pen-and-paper)
Overall Difficulty Level	Moderate
Conducting Body	Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Academic Session	2025–26

Download CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2026 PDF with Solutions – All Sets

The CBSE 12th Physics question paper 2026 is now available for download. Students appearing for supplementary exams or preparing for the 2026–27 session can use these papers to understand the latest question pattern and difficulty level.

Paper	Question Paper	Solutions
CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2026 – Set 1 (55/1/1)	Class 12 Physics Paper Set 1 2026	CBSE_2026 Class 12 Physics Set 1 Question Paper Solutions
CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2026 – Set 2 (55/1/2)	Class 12 Physics Paper Set 2 2026	CBSE_2026 Class 12 Physics Set 2 Question Paper Solutions
CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2026 – Set 3 (55/1/3)	Class 12 Physics Question Paper Set 3 2026	CBSE_2026 Class 12 Physics Set 3 Question Paper Solutions

Students should solve this paper under timed exam conditions. Practising real board papers builds familiarity with the question format, numerical difficulty, and derivation length that CBSE uses.

CBSE Class 12 Physics Answer Key 2026

The unofficial CBSE Class 12 Physics answer key 2026 has been prepared by subject experts for all three sets. CBSE does not release an official answer key for Class 12 board exams. Students can match their responses with the expert-verified answer key to estimate their marks before the official result.

Steps to use the answer key effectively:

• Download the question paper PDF for your set.
• Match your MCQ answers from Section A with the answer key.
• For subjective questions, check the correct formula, steps, and final answer against the solution.
• Award partial marks for correct formulas and intermediate steps even if the final numerical answer differs slightly.
• Calculate your estimated score and track it until the official CBSE result in May 2026.

CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 Exam Pattern

The CBSE Class 12 Physics question paper 2026 followed the same structure as the 2025 paper. No changes were introduced in the exam pattern for the 2025–26 academic session. The paper had five sections with a mix of MCQs, short answer questions, case-study questions, and long answer questions.

Section	Question Type	No. of Questions	Marks per Question	Total Marks
Section A	MCQs + Assertion-Reasoning	16	1	16
Section B	Very Short Answer (VSA)	5	2	10
Section C	Short Answer (SA)	7	3	21
Section D	Case Study-based	2	4	8
Section E	Long Answer (LA)	3	5	15
Total				70

Internal choices were provided in Section B (2 questions), Section C (2 questions), Section D (2 questions), and Section E (3 questions). Students had to attempt all 33 questions but could choose between alternatives where internal choice was available.

Check Out: CBSE Class 12 Physics Exam 2026 Analysis; Student Reactions; Mixed Reactions on Difficulty

CBSE Class 12 Physics Practical Exam 2026 – Marks Distribution

Component	Marks
Experiments (two from each section)	14
Practical Record (experiments and activities)	5
One Activity (from any section)	3
Investigatory Project	3
Viva Voce	5
Total Practical Marks	30

CBSE Class 12 Physics practical exams 2026 for private candidates were scheduled from 23 February to 17 March 2026. Schools were required to upload practical marks on the same day as the examination.

CBSE Class 12 Physics Paper 2026 – Complete Analysis

The CBSE Class 12 Physics paper 2026 was rated moderate in overall difficulty by students and subject experts. The paper was well-balanced and fully aligned with the NCERT syllabus. No question was asked from outside the prescribed curriculum.

Theory-based and derivation questions were direct and scoring. However, MCQs were more calculation-intensive than expected. Multi-step numerical problems consumed extra time. Time management was the biggest challenge reported by students across centres.

Section-Wise Difficulty Analysis

Section	Type	Marks	Difficulty Level	Key Observations
Section A	MCQs + Assertion-Reasoning (1 mark each)	16	Moderate to Tricky	MCQs were calculation-heavy. Some assertion-reasoning questions tested deep conceptual clarity. More time-consuming than expected.
Section B	Very Short Answer (2 marks each)	10	Easy to Moderate	Direct questions from Semiconductor Electronics and Nuclei. Some numerical questions tested conceptual understanding.
Section C	Short Answer (3 marks each)	21	Moderate	Manageable questions with 6–7 marks allocated to numericals. Students needed careful step-wise solutions.
Section D	Case Study-based (4 marks each)	8	Moderate to Challenging	Optics case study was comparatively harder. Semiconductor case study was easier to attempt.
Section E	Long Answer (5 marks each)	15	Moderate	Standard derivations from Electrostatics, Ray Optics, and EMI & AC. Scoring for well-prepared students. Around 6 marks in numerical.

Overall Marks Distribution by Question Difficulty

Difficulty Category	Approximate Marks	Percentage
Direct / Easy Questions	25–30 marks	36%–43%
Moderate Questions (Application-based)	25–30 marks	36%–43%
Difficult / Time-consuming Questions	10–15 marks	14%–21%

CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 – Topic-Wise Analysis and Weightage

The CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 paper covered all units from the prescribed syllabus. The unit-wise marks distribution closely followed the CBSE blueprint released at the beginning of the academic session.

Unit-Wise Marks Distribution (Theory – 70 Marks)

Unit No.	Unit Name	Chapters Covered	Marks (as per CBSE Blueprint)
I	Electrostatics	Ch 1: Electric Charges and Fields, Ch 2: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance	16
II	Current Electricity	Ch 3: Current Electricity
III	Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism	Ch 4: Moving Charges and Magnetism, Ch 5: Magnetism and Matter	17
IV	Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Current	Ch 6: Electromagnetic Induction, Ch 7: Alternating Current
V	Electromagnetic Waves	Ch 8: Electromagnetic Waves	18
VI	Optics	Ch 9: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments, Ch 10: Wave Optics
VII	Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter	Ch 11: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter	12
VIII	Atoms and Nuclei	Ch 12: Atoms, Ch 13: Nuclei
IX	Electronic Devices	Ch 14: Semiconductor Electronics	7
Total			70

Chapter-Wise Weightage and Question Types Asked in 2026 Paper

Chapter	Expected Weightage (Marks)	Types of Questions Asked in 2026	Difficulty in 2026 Paper
Electric Charges and Fields	5–6	Gauss’s Law applications, electric field lines, MCQs on charge distribution	Moderate
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance	5–6	Capacitance of parallel plate capacitor with dielectric, numerical on potential	Moderate
Current Electricity	5–7	Kirchhoff’s laws, Wheatstone bridge, meter bridge numerical, drift velocity	Moderate
Moving Charges and Magnetism	5–6	Ampere’s Circuital Law, force on moving charge, Moving Coil Galvanometer	Moderate
Magnetism and Matter	2–3	Theory-based MCQs, magnetic properties	Easy
Electromagnetic Induction	5–6	Motional EMF (E = Blv) derivation, Faraday’s law numerical	Moderate
Alternating Current	4–5	LCR circuit phasor diagram, impedance and resonant frequency numerical	Moderate to Difficult
Electromagnetic Waves	2–3	Direct MCQs on EM spectrum, displacement current	Easy
Ray Optics and Optical Instruments	6–7	Lens Maker’s Formula, ray diagrams for microscope and telescope, numerical	Moderate
Wave Optics	4–5	Young’s Double Slit Experiment (YDSE) derivation, interference pattern	Moderate
Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter	4	Einstein’s photoelectric equation, de Broglie wavelength ratio numerical	Easy to Moderate
Atoms	3–4	Bohr’s model energy level derivation, hydrogen atom orbit radius	Moderate
Nuclei	3–4	Binding energy, mass-energy relation, nuclear radii ratio	Easy to Moderate
Semiconductor Electronics	5–7	Logic gates (NAND/NOR as universal), P-N junction, full-wave rectifier, case study	Easy to Moderate

High-Weightage Topics in CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026

The following topics carried the most marks in the 2026 paper. Students preparing for future board exams should prioritise these chapters.

Topic Area	Combined Weightage (Approx.)	Key Focus Areas
Optics (Ray + Wave)	14–18 marks	Lens Maker’s Formula, YDSE, ray diagrams, interference, case study on optics
Electrostatics & Capacitance	10–16 marks	Gauss’s Law, electric potential, capacitance with dielectric, Coulomb’s Law numericals
Magnetic Effects, EMI & AC	14–17 marks	Motional EMF, LCR circuits, phasor diagrams, Ampere’s Circuital Law, MCG derivation
Modern Physics (Dual Nature + Atoms + Nuclei)	10–12 marks	Photoelectric effect, Bohr’s model, binding energy curve, de Broglie wavelength
Current Electricity	5–7 marks	Kirchhoff’s laws, Wheatstone bridge, drift velocity, meter bridge
Semiconductor Electronics	5–7 marks	Logic gates, P-N junction characteristics, rectifier circuits, case study

Expert and Teacher Analysis – CBSE 12th Physics 2026

Subject experts and school teachers from across India shared their detailed review of the CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 paper. Here is a summary of their observations.

Thilak, PGT Physics, JAIN International Residential School (JIRS), Bengaluru: The paper was easy to moderate and well within the prescribed syllabus. It gave students ample opportunity to score while testing conceptual understanding in selected areas. Important derivations from Electrostatics, Ray Optics, and EMI & AC were asked in Section E. Students who practised standard derivations from previous years found this section comfortable and high-scoring.

Priya Roy, PGT Physics, Modern English School, Guwahati: MCQs were moderate with a mix of direct and application-based questions aimed at testing analytical understanding. Two-mark questions from Semiconductor Electronics and Nuclei were direct. Three-mark questions were moderate with 6–7 marks in numericals. Five-mark questions focused on analytical and application-based thinking with around 6 marks in numerical. Approximately 25–30 marks comprised direct questions.

Pawan Choudhary, HOD Physics, Lancers Army Schools: The paper was balanced in structure and fair in scope. A significant portion focused on direct theory and standard derivations. Students who prepared sincerely found it scoring. However, a few questions required careful reading. Small mistakes such as sign errors or missed requirements could cost marks for students aiming at very high scores.

Alka Kapur, Principal, Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh: The paper was well-balanced in content coverage and conceptual assessment. The MCQ section required more calculation-based thinking than expected. Numericals were not excessively difficult but were time-consuming and demanded careful numerical evaluation.

Student Reactions – CBSE 12th Physics Paper 2026

Student feedback on the CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 paper was mixed. Here is what students reported after the exam.

Observation	Student Feedback
Overall Difficulty	Most students rated the paper as moderate. Some students from Noida called it fair but lengthy.
MCQ Section	MCQs were tricky and calculation-heavy. Consumed more time than standard 2-mark and 3-mark subjective questions.
Derivations	More derivations were asked compared to previous year. Section E derivations were time-consuming.
Numericals	Numericals were easy to moderate but multi-step. Required careful unit conversion and formula application.
Case Studies	Optics case study was comparatively harder. Semiconductor case study was straightforward.
Time Management	Many students struggled to finish the paper within 3 hours. Length was the biggest concern.
NCERT Alignment	100% NCERT-based. No out-of-syllabus question was reported.
Comparison with 2025	Some experts said the 2026 paper was moderately easier than 2025 overall. However, the math-intensive nature made it feel tougher for students weaker in calculations.

CBSE Class 12 Physics 2025 Previous Year Paper – Download PDF

The CBSE Class 12 Physics 2025 board paper is the most important practice resource for future aspirants. CBSE repeats question formats, derivation styles, and numerical patterns from the immediate previous year. Students preparing for the 2026–27 session should solve the 2025 and 2026 papers under timed conditions.

Paper	Link
CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2025 PDF	Click Here
CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2024 PDF	Click Here

CBSE 12th Physics 2025 Paper – Section-Wise Analysis

Section	Type	Marks	Difficulty Level (2025)
Section A	MCQs + Assertion-Reasoning (1 mark each)	16	Moderate (some tricky)
Section B	Very Short Answer (2 marks each)	10	Moderate
Section C	Short Answer (3 marks each)	21	Moderate
Section D	Case Study-based (4 marks each)	8	Moderate
Section E	Long Answer (5 marks each)	15	Moderate to Difficult

Repeated concepts across 2025 and 2026 papers include Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Optics, Electromagnetic Induction, and Modern Physics. This confirms that solving previous year papers is one of the most effective preparation strategies for CBSE Physics.

CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 – Marking Scheme and Scoring Tips

CBSE follows a step-wise marking scheme for Physics. Marks are awarded for correct formulas, intermediate steps, diagrams, and the final answer. Even if the final numerical answer is wrong, students can score partial marks for showing the correct approach.

Marks Distribution by Question Type

Question Type	Total Marks	Scoring Strategy
MCQs (1 mark)	16	Eliminate wrong options. Check units. No negative marking in boards.
VSA (2 marks)	10	Write the formula, substitute values, and give the final answer with correct units.
SA (3 marks)	21	Include diagrams where applicable. Show every step in numericals. Underline the final answer.
Case Study (4 marks)	8	Read the passage carefully. Answers are usually embedded in the given data. Apply formulas accurately.
LA (5 marks)	15	Write complete derivations with each step. Label diagrams clearly. Include relevant conditions and formulae.

How to Score 60+ Out of 70 in CBSE Physics

Students who follow a structured approach can realistically score above 60 out of 70 in the CBSE Physics theory exam. Here are the key strategies based on the 2026 paper pattern.

• Master all NCERT derivations from Electrostatics, Optics, and EMI. These are directly asked in Section E for 5 marks each.
• Practise at least 5–6 previous year board papers under timed conditions. This builds speed and familiarity with the question format.
• Solve NCERT examples and exemplar problems for case-study preparation. CBSE often picks case study ideas from these.
• Focus on numericals from Current Electricity, LCR circuits, and Optics. These are the most commonly tested numerical topics.
• Always write units with every numerical answer. CBSE deducts 0.5 marks for missing units.
• Draw labelled diagrams wherever applicable. Ray diagrams, circuit diagrams, and phasor diagrams carry dedicated marks.
• Use the 15-minute reading time to plan your attempt order. Start with Section E (5-markers) while concepts are fresh.

CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 – Important Derivations Asked

Derivations carry significant marks in the CBSE Physics paper. The 2026 paper asked derivations from the following topics. Students preparing for future sessions should memorise the complete step-by-step process for each.

Derivation Topic	Chapter	Marks
Gauss’s Law and its application (electric field due to charged surfaces)	Electric Charges and Fields	3–5
Capacitance of a Parallel Plate Capacitor (with dielectric)	Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance	3
Motional EMF (E = Blv)	Electromagnetic Induction	3–5
Lens Maker’s Formula	Ray Optics	3–5
Young’s Double Slit Experiment (fringe width derivation)	Wave Optics	3–5
Bohr’s Atomic Model (orbit radius and energy levels)	Atoms	3
Einstein’s Photoelectric Equation	Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter	2–3

CBSE On-Screen Marking System 2026 – What Students Should Know

CBSE introduced the on-screen marking (OSM) system for evaluating Class 12 answer sheets. Under this system, answer sheets are scanned and uploaded to a digital platform. Examiners evaluate them on screens instead of marking physical copies. This reduces human error and regional bias in evaluation. However, some teachers have expressed concern that handwriting clarity becomes more important under digital evaluation. Students should write neatly and use proper headings and spacing for better readability.

When Will CBSE Class 12 Results 2026 Be Declared?

CBSE is expected to declare the Class 12 board exam results 2026 in May 2026. Students can check their results on the official CBSE website at cbseresults.nic.in and the DigiLocker app. CBSE typically releases results within 45–60 days after the last examination date. Students must secure at least 33% marks in both theory and practical separately to pass the Physics examination.

Detail	Information
Expected Result Date	May 2026
Result Portal	cbseresults.nic.in / DigiLocker
Minimum Passing Marks (Theory)	23 out of 70 (33%)
Minimum Passing Marks (Practical)	10 out of 30 (33%)
Total Minimum Passing Marks	33 out of 100

Preparation Strategy for CBSE Class 12 Physics 2027 – Based on 2026 Analysis

Students preparing for the upcoming 2026–27 academic session can use the 2026 paper analysis to build a focused study plan. The CBSE Physics paper pattern has remained stable over the past three years. Expect a similar structure in 2027.

Preparation Area	Strategy
NCERT Textbook	Read every chapter thoroughly. Solve all in-text examples and exercise problems. CBSE does not ask questions outside NCERT.
Derivations	Write all 15–20 important derivations by hand at least 3 times. Focus on step-wise clarity.
Numericals	Practise 8–10 numericals per chapter from Optics, Current Electricity, EMI, and AC. Convert units to SI before solving.
Previous Year Papers	Solve 2024, 2025, and 2026 board papers under timed conditions. Identify repeating patterns.
Sample Papers	Solve the CBSE sample paper 2026–27 as soon as it is released. It reflects the exact blueprint.
Diagrams	Practise labelled ray diagrams, circuit diagrams, and phasor diagrams. These carry dedicated marks.
Case Studies	Solve NCERT exemplar and sample paper case studies. Focus on Optics and Semiconductor topics.
Time Management	Allocate 1.5 minutes per mark. Attempt Section E first. Leave MCQs for the end if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What was the difficulty level of the CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 paper?

The CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 paper was rated moderate by most students and subject experts. Theory-based questions were direct and NCERT-based. However, MCQs were calculation-heavy and multi-step numericals made the paper feel lengthy. Students who practised previous year papers and NCERT examples found the paper manageable. On Reddit and Quora, many students mentioned that the paper was doable but time management was a real issue. Some reported that the MCQ section alone consumed 35–40 minutes because of unexpected calculations.

Q2. Was the CBSE 12th Physics 2026 paper based on NCERT?

Yes, the paper was 100% aligned with the NCERT syllabus for the 2025–26 academic session. No question was asked from outside the prescribed curriculum. All derivations, numericals, and case studies were based on NCERT textbook concepts, examples, and the CBSE sample paper pattern. Students on discussion forums confirmed that anyone who studied NCERT thoroughly could attempt most questions confidently.

Q3. How many marks were allocated to numericals in the 2026 Physics paper?

Approximately 25–30 marks out of 70 involved numerical or calculation-based questions. This included MCQs with calculations, 2-mark and 3-mark numericals, and numerical components within 5-mark long answers. Students who struggled with mathematical calculations found these sections time-consuming. On student forums, many aspirants noted that even easy numericals required multi-step solutions that ate into their time.

Q4. Which chapters had the highest weightage in the CBSE Physics 2026 paper?

Optics (Ray Optics + Wave Optics) had the highest combined weightage of approximately 14–18 marks. Electrostatics and Current Electricity together contributed around 16 marks. Magnetic Effects, EMI, and AC combined for approximately 14–17 marks. Semiconductor Electronics carried 5–7 marks. These chapters have consistently dominated the CBSE Physics paper over the past five years.

Q5. When will the CBSE Class 12 Physics result 2026 be declared?

CBSE is expected to release the Class 12 results in May 2026. Students can check results on the official portal cbseresults.nic.in and through the DigiLocker app. The board typically declares results within 45–60 days after the last exam. Students must score at least 33% each in theory and practical to pass.

Q6. Were the case study questions difficult in the 2026 Physics paper?

The two case study questions in Section D were of mixed difficulty. The case study based on Optics was comparatively harder and required application-based thinking. The Semiconductor-based case study was straightforward and easier to attempt. On Quora, students shared that the Optics case study had a data-heavy passage that required careful reading before answering. Those who had practised NCERT exemplar case studies found it manageable.

Q7. How can I use the 2026 Physics paper for future board exam preparation?

The 2026 CBSE Physics paper is one of the best practice resources for understanding the current exam pattern, question difficulty, and chapter-wise weightage. Solve it under timed conditions within 3 hours. Compare your answers with the answer key. Identify weak areas and revise those chapters from NCERT. CBSE typically repeats question patterns across consecutive years. Students on Reddit recommended solving at least 5 previous year papers before the board exam for best results.

Q8. Is there negative marking in the CBSE Class 12 Physics board exam?

No, there is no negative marking in CBSE board exams. Students should attempt all 33 questions. Even for MCQs, an incorrect answer does not deduct marks. For subjective questions, partial marks are awarded for correct formulas and intermediate steps.

Q9. What was the expected good score in the CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 paper?

Based on the paper difficulty and expert analysis, a score of 55–60 out of 70 in theory is considered a good score. Students aiming for 90+ overall (including practicals) should target at least 60+ in theory. Well-prepared students who practised NCERT and PYQs could realistically achieve this. On discussion platforms, many students estimated their scores in the 50–60 range based on the answer key comparison.

Q10. Did CBSE change the Physics exam pattern for 2026?

No, the exam pattern for CBSE Class 12 Physics remained unchanged for the 2025–26 session. The paper had the same five-section structure, same number of questions (33), and same marks distribution as the 2024–25 session. CBSE has increased the proportion of competency-based and application-based questions over the years, but the overall framework remained identical. Students preparing for 2027 can expect a similar pattern unless CBSE issues a new notification.