CBSE board exams 2026: How was today’s Class 12 Physics paper? In-depth analysis

The Class 12 Physics examination conducted by CBSE on February 20 was widely described by students and teachers as balanced, syllabus-based and moderate in difficulty, with a clear emphasis on conceptual understanding and standard derivations.

The 70-mark paper was held for three hours and comprised 33 compulsory questions divided into five sections — A to E. There was no overall choice, and in questions carrying internal options, candidates were required to attempt only one alternative.

Exam pattern and structure

Section A included one-mark MCQs and assertion–reason questions. Section B consisted of five two-mark questions with limited internal choice. Section C featured three-mark questions, including one internal option. Section D comprised four-mark case study-based questions. Section E contained five-mark long-answer questions with internal choices in select questions.

Teachers noted that the structure closely followed the prescribed blueprint and NCERT pattern.

Balanced and application-oriented

It was observed that the students who had practised previous years’ questions would have found several sections familiar and manageable.

The exam aligned with the expected application-based approach. The language of the paper was clear and straightforward. Numerical questions were direct and approachable, while the presence of derivation-based questions added length but effectively tested conceptual depth.

A major portion of the paper focused on direct theory and standard derivations, benefiting students who had prepared consistently throughout the academic year.

Section-wise highlights

• MCQs and assertion–reason

Teachers described the MCQs as moderate. While some were direct and memory-based, others required analytical understanding. Assertion–reason questions tested conceptual clarity.

• Two-mark questions

Questions were drawn from topics such as Nuclei, Dual Nature, Wave Optics, Moving Charges and Semiconductor Electronics. Most were considered straightforward, though a torque-based question from Moving Charges was viewed as slightly challenging for average students.

• Three-mark questions
  Section C featured a mix of theory and numericals. Questions on Gauss’s Law, Wheatstone bridge, dielectric insertion in capacitors, p–n junction formation and ray diagrams were largely expected. Multi-step numericals required careful application of concepts.
   
• Case study-based questions
  Section D was application-oriented and moderately analytical, testing students’ ability to interpret data and apply principles.
   
• Five-mark questions 
  Long-answer questions focused heavily on important derivations from Electrostatics, Ray Optics, Electromagnetic Induction (EMI), and Alternating Current (AC). Teachers said this section proved scoring for well-prepared students.

Topic-wise weightage

Electrostatics and Current Electricity together carried 17 marks. Magnetism and Matter along with EMI and AC also accounted for 17 marks. Optics had the highest weightage at 21 marks. Modern Physics contributed 12 marks, while Semiconductor Electronics carried seven marks.

Compared to last year, teachers observed that the weightage of numericals appeared slightly lower, while derivation-based questions were given greater prominence.

Overall, educators agreed that nearly 25–30 marks comprised direct and theory-based questions, with the remaining marks testing application and numerical skills — placing the paper comfortably within the easy-to-moderate range.