The CBSE Class 12 Physics exam is scheduled to take place on February 20, 2026, which means students are now entering the last phase of preparation. Many students consider Physics to be the key subject for achieving higher scores since it is both conceptually and calculation heavy as well as being severely punishing to students lacking strong fundamental skills.
Questions in Physics will be obtained from the theory section of the 70-mark theory exam inside the NCERT text, standard formulas/derivations, diagrams, and numericals, all of which can expect to be asked again this year.
Teachers throughout the three major cities of Delhi, Kota, and Hyderabad state that these last ten days are not about "studying more." Instead, they should focus on how to study more effectively. Therefore, students must have concise chapter-wise notes, correct use of formulas, practice drawing out diagrams and previous year questions (PYQ) for immediate help to do well in these types of problems at the JEE Main- level, since many of the numericals will be similar to the JEE Main- level numericals.
This article explains each of the class 12 Physics chapters in detail and provides a breakdown of the percentage of the marks assigned to them. It also lists the top five types of diagrams that are frequently asked for in addition to breaking down the PYQs into an exam-oriented view to assist the students' preparations ahead of the actual exam and along with completing their revision sprint toward 90%-plus scores without becoming overwhelmed.
Physics Paper Structure at a Glance
CBSE Physics Class 12 theory paper tests:
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Conceptual understanding
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Numerical accuracy
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Diagram-based clarity
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Stepwise derivations
Internal choices are provided, but questions largely stay within predictable frameworks.
Electrostatics (Unit 1 – 16 Marks)
One of the highest-weight units, Electrostatics is numerically intensive and concept-sensitive.
Core Concepts
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Conservation of charge
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Coulomb’s Law:
F = k(q₁q₂/r²), where k = 9 × 10⁹ Nm²/C² -
Electric Field: E = F/q
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Electric Flux and Gauss’s Theorem:
∯E·dA = q/ε₀
Standard PYQ Areas
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Field due to infinite plane sheet, spherical shell
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Equipotential surfaces (theory + reasoning)
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Capacitors:
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Parallel plate capacitor: C = ε₀A/d
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Energy stored: U = ½CV²
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Diagram Priority
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Electric field lines
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Parallel plate capacitor with dielectric
Current Electricity (Unit 2 – 8 Marks)
This unit rewards accuracy and clean steps.
Must-Know Formulas
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Ohm’s Law: V = IR
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Resistivity: ρ = RA/l
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Kirchhoff’s Laws
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Wheatstone Bridge balance condition: P/Q = R/S
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Potentiometer relation: V₁L₁ = V₂L₂
Common Mistakes
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Unit conversion errors
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Incorrect sign conventions
Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism (Unit 3 – 17 Marks)
A numerically dominant unit with repeated question patterns.
Key Laws
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Biot–Savart Law
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Ampere’s Circuital Law
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Force on a current-carrying conductor
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Torque on moving coil galvanometer:
τ = NIAB sinθ
Cyclotron Relations
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Radius: r = mv/qB
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Frequency: f = qB / 2πm
Hall Effect
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Hall Voltage: Vₕ = IB / net
Electromagnetic Induction & Alternating Current (Unit 4 – 18 Marks)
One of the most scoring but conceptually demanding units.
EMI
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Faraday’s Law: ε = −dΦ/dt
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Lenz’s Law
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Self and Mutual Inductance
AC Circuits
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Impedance: Z = √(R² + (Xₗ − X꜀)²)
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Resonance condition: ω₀ = 1/√LC
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Transformer equation: Vₛ/Vₚ = Nₛ/Nₚ
Diagram Priority
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AC phasor diagram
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Transformer schematic
Electromagnetic Waves (Unit 5 – 3 Marks)
Short but theory-based.
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Speed of EM waves: c = 1/√(μ₀ε₀)
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Displacement current
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EM spectrum order (often asked directly)
Optics (Unit 6 – 18 Marks)
Another high-weightage unit combining numericals and diagrams.
Ray Optics
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Snell’s Law
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Lens Formula: 1/f = 1/v − 1/u
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Magnification: m = v/u
Wave Optics
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Young’s Double Slit Experiment:
d sinθ = mλ -
Polarisation and Brewster’s Law
Diagram Priority
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Ray diagrams for convex lens
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YDSE fringe pattern
Dual Nature of Radiation & Matter (Unit 7 – 4 Marks)
Short, formula-driven.
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Photoelectric equation: KEₘₐₓ = hν − φ₀
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de Broglie wavelength: λ = h/p
Atoms & Nuclei (Unit 8 – 10 Marks)
Frequently asked numerical and theory mix.
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Bohr energy levels: Eₙ = −13.6/n² eV
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Binding energy per nucleon
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Half-life: T½ = 0.693/λ
Semiconductors (Unit 9 – 12 Marks)
High-scoring and concept-friendly.
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Intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors
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p–n junction diode characteristics
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Zener vs Avalanche breakdown
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Logic gates (truth tables + symbols)
Unit-wise Weightage
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7-Day Physics Revision Sprint (Feb 13–19)
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Day 1–2: Electrostatics + Current Electricity
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Day 3–4: Magnetism + EMI
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Day 5: Optics (diagrams + numericals)
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Day 6: Modern Physics + Semiconductors
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Day 7: Full 3-hour mock + error analysis
PYQ Trends You Should Know
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Gauss law derivations appear almost every year
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Optics numericals repeat with changed values
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Binding energy numericals are predictable
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Diagrams can fetch 20+ marks cumulatively
Exam-Day Discipline That Saves Marks
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Reach centre by 9:00 AM
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Start with numericals you’re confident in
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Draw diagrams neatly—even partial clarity earns marks
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Keep answers structured, not lengthy
Final Thoughts For Students
Class 12 Physics is not about memorising everything—it is about executing familiar concepts with precision under time pressure. Students who focus on NCERT-based notes, formula clarity, diagram practice, and PYQs consistently outperform those who chase new material till the last moment.