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NSO Class 12 syllabus

The NSO Class 12 syllabus for 2026-27, subject by subject: 36 topics to work through. On SkillStar, Class 12 children also get 12 mock tests marked instantly and sample papers to download.

Class
Class 12 (Grade 12)
Syllabus years
2026-27
Topics
36
Mock tests
12
Downloads
3

NSO Class 12 syllabus 2026-27

Physics & Chemistry (Physics part)

  • Electricity and Magnetism: Electric charges, fields, current and magnetism.
  • Electromagnetic Induction: How changing magnetic fields produce current.
  • Alternating Current: AC circuits, transformers and power.
  • Electromagnetic Waves: The electromagnetic spectrum and its uses.
  • Optics: Ray and wave optics, lenses and optical instruments.
  • Modern Physics: Photons, atoms and nuclei.
  • Semiconductor Electronics: Diodes, transistors and basic circuits.

Physics & Chemistry (Chemistry part)

  • Solutions: Concentration and properties of solutions.
  • Electrochemistry: Cells, electrode potentials and electrolysis.
  • Chemical Kinetics: How fast reactions go and what affects the rate.
  • The d- and f-Block Elements: Transition and inner-transition elements and their properties.
  • Coordination Compounds: Complex compounds, their naming and bonding.
  • Haloalkanes and Haloarenes: Organic compounds containing halogens.
  • Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers: Preparation and reactions of these organic compounds.
  • Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids: Compounds with the carbonyl group and their reactions.
  • Amines: Nitrogen-containing organic compounds.
  • Biomolecules: Carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and nucleic acids.

Achievers Section

  • Higher Order Thinking questions: Harder application questions on this class's Physics and Chemistry topics; worth more marks each.

Mathematics (option)

  • Relations and Functions: Types of relations and functions, including one-one and onto.
  • Inverse Trigonometric Functions: Inverses of sine, cosine and tangent and their properties.
  • Matrices: Arrays of numbers and the operations on them.
  • Determinants: Values linked to square matrices, used to solve equations.
  • Continuity and Differentiability: When a function is smooth and how to differentiate it.
  • Application of Derivatives: Using derivatives for rates of change, maxima and minima.
  • Integrals: Integration as reverse differentiation and methods to integrate.
  • Application of Integrals: Finding areas under curves using integration.
  • Differential Equations: Equations involving derivatives and how to solve simple ones.
  • Vector Algebra: Quantities with size and direction, and vector products.
  • Three Dimensional Geometry: Lines and angles in 3-D space.
  • Linear Programming: Finding the best value of a quantity under given limits.
  • Probability: Conditional probability, Bayes' theorem and distributions.

Biology (option)

  • Reproduction: Reproduction in plants and humans, and reproductive health.
  • Genetics and Evolution: Inheritance, DNA and how species change over time.
  • Biology in Human Welfare: Health, diseases and microbes useful to people.
  • Biotechnology: Tools of biotechnology and their uses.
  • Ecology: Organisms, populations, ecosystems and biodiversity.

About the NSO exam

How the exam works

Mode: Offline, objective multiple-choice paper held in school during school hours; each exam date has its own paper. · Levels: Level 1: Classes 1-12, held in the student's own school. Level 2: Classes 3-12 only; qualifiers are the class-wise top 5% internationally, the top 25 per zone per class, and school class toppers (where at least 10 students of that class sat the exam and the topper scored at least 50%). Level 1 questions are about 60% from the current class syllabus and 40% from the previous class; the Achievers Section and all of Level 2 use the current class syllabus only. · Duration: 60 minutes · Questions: Level 1: Classes 1-4 have 35 questions (Logical Reasoning 5, Science 25, Achievers 5). Classes 5-10 have 50 (Logical Reasoning 10, Science 35, Achievers 5). Classes 11-12 have 50 (Physics & Chemistry 25, Mathematics or Biology 20, Achievers 5). Level 2: Classes 3-4 have 30 Science + 5 Achievers; Classes 5-10 have 45 Science + 5 Achievers; Classes 11-12 have 25 Physics & Chemistry + 20 Mathematics/Biology + 5 Achievers. · Marking: 1 mark per question except the Achievers Section: 2 marks each for Classes 1-4 (40 marks in total) and 3 marks each for Classes 5-12 (60 marks in total). SOF's published pattern does not mention negative marking. · Language: English only

How to register

Only through the child's school: the school registers with SOF and sends the student forms, usually at least 30 days before its chosen exam date. Individual registrations are not accepted. Fee: Rs 170 per student per Olympiad incl. GST (India, Bhutan, Nepal), and schools may collect up to Rs 30 extra; US$11 elsewhere.

When it happens

Next Level 1 school dates: 19 November and 3 December 2026. Earlier dates (30 October 2026) have passed. Each school chooses one date; a future exam date does not mean registration is still open. SOF asks schools to submit registrations at least 30 days before their selected date. Level 2 is for qualifying Classes 3–12 only; SOF plans to announce the exact date by December 2026 and provisionally indicates the second or third Sunday of February 2027. This is tentative, not a confirmed exam date. Results are normally available within about 8 weeks. SOF now lists this science exam as International Science Olympiad (ISO); SkillStar retains the NSO category name. Status checked 1 November 2026; times are IST.

NSO syllabus for other classes

NSO: guides for parents

Everything about NSO →

NSO Class 12: questions parents ask

What is in the NSO Class 12 syllabus for 2026-27?
36 topics in Physics & Chemistry (Physics part), Physics & Chemistry (Chemistry part), Achievers Section, Mathematics (option) and Biology (option), laid out subject by subject on this page. On SkillStar your child can tick off each topic as they learn it.
Are there NSO Class 12 mock tests on SkillStar?
Yes, 12 mock tests. Each one is marked the moment your child finishes, with a question-by-question review, and can be taken again as often as they like.
Can I download NSO Class 12 papers?
Yes. The NSO Downloads tab on SkillStar has 3 files for this class.
How does my child start NSO Class 12 practice?
Sign up free as a parent, add your child with their class, and pick NSO from the exam list. Every new family gets welcome credits, lots of content costs nothing, and anything paid shows its price in credits before you decide.
Is SkillStar the official NSO website?
No. SkillStar is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the organisers of these exams. Exam names belong to their respective owners. Check dates, fees and registration with the NSO organisers.

SkillStar is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the organisers of these exams. Exam names belong to their respective owners.

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