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Academic Session 2026-27

Karnataka Board Class 12 Arts Syllabus 2026-27

Complete KSBSE Class 12 Arts/Humanities Subject-wise Curriculum

History • Political Science • Sociology • Geography • Economics • English • Kannada
Detailed syllabus for all subjects as per KSBSE guidelines for the 2026-27 academic session.

7 Subjects 5 Core Humanities Subjects 2 Language Options Updated for 2026-27

History Syllabus 2026-27

Karnataka Board Class 12 History syllabus covers Indian and world history with focus on key events, movements, and personalities. It develops analytical thinking and research skills essential for civil services and academic careers.

Unit Topics Marks
Ancient India
  • Indus Valley Civilization - Cities, Economy, Religion
  • Vedic Period - Rigvedic Culture, Social Structure
  • Mahajanapadas and Rise of Magadha
  • Mauryan Empire - Chandragupta, Ashoka, Administration
  • Gupta Empire - Golden Age, Art, Literature, Science
  • South Indian Kingdoms - Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas
  • Cultural Developments - Buddhism, Jainism
15
Medieval India
  • Delhi Sultanate - Slave Dynasty, Khilji, Tughlaq
  • Mughal Empire - Babur, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan
  • Maratha Empire - Shivaji, Peshwas, Administration
  • Vijayanagara Empire - Krishnadevaraya
  • Bhakti Movement and Sufism
  • Karnataka Under Medieval Rulers
  • Cultural and Architectural Developments
15
Modern India
  • British Rule - East India Company, Policies
  • Revolt of 1857 - Causes, Leaders, Impact
  • Indian Freedom Movement - Congress, Gandhi, Nehru
  • Quit India Movement and Independence
  • Post-Independence India - Integration, Planning
  • Karnataka in Modern India - Unification Movement
  • Constitutional Development
15
World History
  • French Revolution - Causes, Events, Impact
  • Industrial Revolution - Beginnings, Effects
  • World Wars - Causes, Events, Consequences
  • Cold War - Origins, Key Events, End
  • United Nations and Global Organizations
  • Decolonization and Nationalism
  • Contemporary World Issues
15
Karnataka History
  • Ancient Karnataka - Early Dynasties
  • Medieval Karnataka - Vijayanagara, Bahmani
  • Modern Karnataka - British Rule, Freedom Struggle
  • Post-Independence Karnataka - Development
  • Karnataka Culture - Language, Literature, Art
  • Historical Sites and Heritage
10
Internal Assessment Periodic tests, notebook submission, subject enrichment activities, project work 20
Note: History practical work includes source analysis, map work, and project on historical events. Students must develop research and analytical skills.

Political Science Syllabus 2026-27

Karnataka Board Class 12 Political Science syllabus covers Indian and world political systems, constitutions, and international relations. It prepares students for civil services, law, and international relations careers.

Unit Topics Marks
Indian Constitution
  • Preamble - Objectives, Philosophy
  • Fundamental Rights - Types, Importance, Enforcement
  • Directive Principles of State Policy
  • Fundamental Duties and Citizen Responsibilities
  • Amendment of the Constitution
  • Constitutional Developments and Landmark Cases
  • Emergency Provisions and Their Impact
20
Government & Politics
  • Parliament - Composition, Powers, Functions
  • Executive - President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers
  • Judiciary - Supreme Court, High Courts, Judicial Review
  • Federalism - Centre-State Relations, Division of Powers
  • Political Parties and Pressure Groups
  • Election Commission and Electoral System
  • Local Governance - Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Bodies
20
International Relations
  • United Nations - History, Organs, Functions
  • India and the UN - Role, Contributions
  • International Organizations - WHO, WTO, IMF, World Bank
  • Contemporary Global Issues - Climate Change, Terrorism
  • India's Foreign Policy - Principles, Developments
  • Regional Organizations - SAARC, ASEAN, BRICS
  • Global Governance and International Law
15
Political Theories
  • Democracy - Concepts, Types, Challenges
  • Socialism and Communism - Principles, Practices
  • Secularism - Indian and Western Concepts
  • Human Rights - Universal Declaration, Protection
  • Political Ideologies - Liberalism, Conservatism
  • Feminism and Gender Studies
  • Environmental Politics and Movements
15
Internal Assessment Periodic tests, notebook submission, subject enrichment activities, project work 20

Sociology Syllabus 2026-27

Karnataka Board Class 12 Sociology syllabus covers human society, social structures, institutions, and social change. It prepares students for social work, research, and public administration careers.

Unit Topics Marks
Sociological Concepts
  • Society - Definition, Characteristics, Types
  • Culture - Elements, Types, Cultural Diversity
  • Socialization - Agents, Process, Theories
  • Social Groups - Primary, Secondary, Reference Groups
  • Social Institutions - Concept and Functions
  • Social Structure and Social System
  • Sociological Perspectives - Functionalism, Conflict, Symbolic Interaction
15
Social Institutions
  • Family - Types, Functions, Changes
  • Marriage - Forms, Practices, Legal Aspects
  • Religion - Functions, Types, Social Impact
  • Education - Functions, Types, Social Inequality
  • Economic Institutions - Production, Distribution
  • Political Institutions - Power, Authority, Legitimacy
  • Changing Institutions in Modern India
15
Social Stratification
  • Caste System - Origins, Features, Modern Changes
  • Class System - Concepts, Social Mobility
  • Gender Inequality - Patriarchy, Feminism
  • Ethnicity and Race - Concepts, Conflict
  • Social Exclusion and Marginalization
  • Reservation and Affirmative Action
  • Contemporary Stratification Issues
15
Indian Society
  • Unity and Diversity in India
  • Social and Religious Movements
  • Rural and Urban Society in India
  • Social Problems - Poverty, Unemployment, Inequality
  • Women in Indian Society - Status, Issues
  • Changing Indian Society - Globalization, Modernization
  • Social Justice and Welfare
15
Internal Assessment Periodic tests, notebook submission, subject enrichment activities, project work 20

Geography Syllabus 2026-27

Karnataka Board Class 12 Geography syllabus covers physical and human geography with focus on India and Karnataka. It develops spatial and analytical skills essential for environmental and planning careers.

Unit Topics Marks
Physical Geography
  • Landforms - Mountains, Plateaus, Plains, Coasts
  • Climate - Types, Factors, Indian Monsoon
  • Natural Vegetation - Types, Distribution, Conservation
  • Soil - Types, Distribution, Soil Conservation
  • Water Resources - Rivers, Lakes, Groundwater
  • Natural Disasters - Earthquakes, Floods, Droughts
  • Environmental Degradation and Conservation
15
Human Geography
  • Population - Distribution, Growth, Density
  • Migration - Types, Causes, Effects
  • Urbanization - Trends, Issues, Urban Planning
  • Human Settlements - Rural, Urban, Patterns
  • Economic Geography - Agriculture, Industry, Services
  • Transport and Communication Networks
  • Regional Development and Planning
15
Geography of India
  • Physical Features - Mountains, Rivers, Climate
  • Population and Human Resources
  • Agriculture - Crops, Distribution, Issues
  • Industries - Types, Location, Challenges
  • Natural Resources - Minerals, Energy, Water
  • Transportation and Trade
  • Environmental Issues and Sustainable Development
15
Geography of Karnataka
  • Physical Features - Western Ghats, Rivers, Climate
  • Natural Resources - Minerals, Forests, Water
  • Agriculture - Crops, Irrigation, Issues
  • Industries - IT, Manufacturing, Mining
  • Urbanization and Regional Development
  • Tourism and Heritage Sites
  • Environmental Challenges and Conservation
15
Internal Assessment Map work, practical, periodic tests, notebook submission, project work 20
Map Work: Students are required to practice map work for Geography. Map-based questions carry 4-5 marks in the exam. Focus on Karnataka's physical features, agriculture, and industrial regions.

Economics Syllabus 2026-27

Karnataka Board Class 12 Economics syllabus covers microeconomics and macroeconomics with focus on Indian economy and development. It prepares students for civil services, economics research, and policy analysis careers.

Unit Topics Marks
Microeconomics
  • Consumer Behaviour - Utility, Indifference Curve
  • Demand and Supply - Law, Elasticity, Determinants
  • Production and Costs - Theory of Production
  • Market Structures - Perfect Competition, Monopoly
  • Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly
  • Price Determination Under Different Markets
  • Factor Pricing - Rent, Wage, Interest, Profit
18
Macroeconomics
  • National Income - Concepts and Measurement
  • Money and Banking - Functions, RBI, Commercial Banks
  • Government Budget and Economy
  • Balance of Payments and Foreign Exchange
  • Inflation, Deflation and Economic Stability
  • Monetary and Fiscal Policy
  • Financial Markets and Institutions
20
Indian Economy
  • Economic Development since Independence
  • Economic Reforms - Liberalisation, Privatisation, Globalisation
  • Poverty, Unemployment, and Inequality
  • Agriculture, Industry, and Services Sector
  • Foreign Trade and Balance of Payments
  • Digital Economy and Fintech
  • Karnataka Economy - Features and Development
22
Current Economic Issues
  • Sustainable Development and Environment
  • Start-up India and Entrepreneurship
  • Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat
  • Global Economic Trends and India
  • Climate Change and Economic Impact
  • Recent Economic Policies and Reforms
20
Internal Assessment Periodic tests, notebook submission, subject enrichment activities, project work 20

English Syllabus 2026-27

Karnataka Board Class 12 English syllabus develops comprehensive language skills including reading, writing, grammar, and literature appreciation with a focus on creative and critical thinking.

Units & Topics

  • Reading Comprehension: Unseen passages, literary extracts, critical analysis, inference, vocabulary in context
  • Prose: Selected prose pieces, author contributions, thematic analysis, character studies, literary devices
  • Poetry: Selected poems, poetic devices, meaning and interpretation, rhyme scheme, figurative language
  • Grammar: Advanced tenses, parts of speech, voice, speech, modals, error correction, sentence transformation
  • Writing Skills: Essays, letters, reports, stories, precis writing, paragraph development
  • Creative Writing: Poetry, short stories, creative non-fiction

Assessment

  • Theory: 80 marks
  • Internal Assessment: 20 marks
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Focus Areas: Language proficiency, communication skills, literary appreciation, creative writing ability
Pro Tip: Read quality literature and newspapers daily to improve vocabulary and comprehension skills. Practice creative writing regularly for better expression.

Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ) Syllabus 2026-27

Karnataka Board Class 12 Kannada syllabus focuses on developing advanced language skills through literature, grammar, and composition.

Units & Topics

  • ಗದ್ಯ (Prose): Selected prose pieces, modern and classical, author contributions, critical analysis
  • ಪದ್ಯ (Poetry): Selected poems, poet contributions, poetic devices, meaning and interpretation
  • ವ್ಯಾಕರಣ (Grammar): Sandhi, Samasa, Karaka, Alankara, sentence structure, tenses
  • ರಚನೆ (Composition): Essays, letters, summaries, story writing, dialogue writing, advertisements

Assessment

  • Theory: 80 marks
  • Internal Assessment: 20 marks
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Focus Areas: Language proficiency, literature appreciation, writing skills, grammar mastery
  • Alternative Kannada: Available for students with different language proficiency levels
Note: Students can choose between Kannada and Alternative Kannada based on their language proficiency. Both options are available in the Arts stream.

Syllabus Download & Resources

Official Syllabus PDF

Download the complete Karnataka Board Class 12 Arts syllabus PDF from the official KSBSE website.

Visit KSBSE Official Website

Recommended Textbooks

  • KSBSE Prescribed Textbooks for Class 12 Arts
  • Karnataka State Board Textbooks (PUC II)
  • Subject-wise Reference Books and Guides
  • Practice Workbooks and Sample Papers
  • UPSC/KPSC Preparation Materials

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