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CBSE 14 min read28 October 2026

CBSE Class 12 Physics — 25 Most Expected Questions 2027

25 most expected CBSE Class 12 Physics questions for 2027 by section, with answer formats and what the February 2026 board paper actually asked.

In short: Nobody outside CBSE knows the exact 2027 Physics questions, so this list ranks 25 question types by evidence: the 2026-27 paper design (33 questions, 70 marks, five sections), what teachers reported about the February 20, 2026 board paper, and the chapters that carry marks. The 2026 paper leaned on derivations and multi-step numericals, and teachers called it lengthy. Our SQP-based Physics list covers the sample paper. This one adds what the real board paper showed. Treat it as a practice priority list, not a leak.

Last updated: October 28, 2026. The 2027 date sheet is not out yet. The paper design below is the 2026-27 sample paper design.

CBSE Class 12 Physics 2027 — Quick Reference

ParameterDetails
Theory paper70 marks, 3 hours
Practical and internal30 marks
Total questions33, all compulsory
Section A16 questions of 1 mark (MCQs and assertion-reason)
Section B5 questions of 2 marks
Section C7 questions of 3 marks
Section D2 case-study questions of 4 marks each
Section E3 long-answer questions of 5 marks each
2026 paper dateFriday, February 20, 2026, 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Sources: Jagran Josh for the section design. Times Now and NDTV for the 2026 paper. The sections add up: 16 + 10 + 21 + 8 + 15 = 70.

Section note

Our SQP-based list describes Section D as long answers and Section E as case-based. The sources above, and the 2026 coverage, place the case studies in Section D and the 5-mark long answers in Section E. Use the order in the table above.

What I could not verify

ItemStatus
Marks for every unit in 2026-27I could confirm only three units. EdexLive's 2026-27 breakdown gives Electrostatics 16 marks, the Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism block 17 marks and Electronic Devices 7 marks. Check the full list in the CBSE syllabus PDF
Exact derivations asked in Section E in 2026Coverage names the chapters (Electrostatics, Ray Optics, EMI and AC), not the individual derivations
Which optics case study was askedReports conflict (see below)

What the 2026 Paper Showed

SectionWhat was reportedSource
A: MCQs and assertion-reasonModerate. A mix of memory-based and conceptual items. One principal said the MCQs needed more calculation than expectedTimes Now, NDTV
B: 2 marksQuestions on Nuclei, Dual Nature, Wave Optics and Moving Charges (a torque question). Mostly easy. The torque question could trouble below-average studentsTimes Now, NDTV
C: 3 marksGauss's law for a plane sheet, a Wheatstone network, a dielectric inserted in a capacitor, p-n junction formation, and ray diagrams. Multi-step numericals on electrostatic potential, a semiconductor diode circuit and total internal reflectionTimes Now, NDTV
D: case studiesGalvanometer and photoelectric effect. Moderate and conceptualTimes Now, NDTV
E: 5 marksDerivations from Electrostatics, Ray Optics, and EMI and AC. Scoring for students who had practised previous derivationsTimes Now, NDTV
OverallSeveral derivations made the paper lengthy. Many questions resembled previous year questions. Some questions came from NCERT solved examplesTimes Now, NDTV
LanguageClear and straightforwardNDTV

Where reports disagree

TopicReport AReport B
DifficultyNDTV: teachers called it easy to moderate. Times Now: easy, but lengthyNDTV (Udaipur teacher): moderate to difficult and fairly lengthy. Lancers Army Schools HOD: above moderate
Case studyTimes Now and NDTV: case studies on the galvanometer and the photoelectric effectNDTV (Delhi principal): the case study from Optics was relatively tough
Section A orderTimes Now (a student): Section A was tougher in Set 3NDTV (Udaipur teacher): students had less time for Section A because of the length, and many attempted it last

I cannot settle these from the official papers. The consistent points are that the paper was long, derivations and numericals dominated, and it rewarded practice.

Section A: MCQs and Assertion-Reason (16 Marks)

#Expected questionEvidence
1Calculation-based MCQ on Electrostatics, Current Electricity or Optics2026 paper (MCQs needed more calculation than expected)
2Assertion-reason on a concept such as the nature of an electric field, magnetic field lines or the photoelectric effect2026 paper (moderate, conceptual)
3Direct, memory-based MCQ on a definition, unit or law2026 paper (a mix of direct and conceptual)

How to answer

SituationWhat to do
Calculation MCQWrite the formula, substitute with units, and check the order of magnitude. Do not use the options to guess
Assertion-reasonTest the assertion and the reason separately. Then ask whether the reason explains the assertion
TimeSkip a long MCQ and return to it. The 2026 paper was long, and one teacher said many students attempted Section A last

Section B: Two-Mark Questions (10 Marks)

#Expected questionEvidence
4Torque on a current-carrying loop in a magnetic field2026 paper (Moving Charges, torque)
5Nuclei: mass defect, binding energy or a decay law2026 paper
6Dual Nature: photoelectric effect, work function or de Broglie wavelength2026 paper
7Wave Optics: fringe width, Huygens' principle or the condition for interference2026 paper

Answer format (all examples are illustrative)

QuestionWhat to write
TorqueThe formula is torque = N I A B sin(angle between the normal and the field). Example: N = 100, I = 2 A, A = 0.01 m², B = 0.5 T, normal perpendicular to the field gives torque = 100 x 2 x 0.01 x 0.5 = 1 N m
NucleiEnergy released = mass defect in u x 931.5 MeV. Example: a mass defect of 0.03 u gives about 27.9 MeV
Photoelectric effectMaximum kinetic energy = photon energy minus work function. Example: 400 nm light has about 3.1 eV (using hc = 1240 eV nm). With a work function of 2.0 eV the maximum kinetic energy is about 1.1 eV
Wave opticsFringe width = wavelength x D / d. Example: 600 nm, D = 1.5 m, d = 0.3 mm gives 3 mm

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Section C: Three-Mark Questions (21 Marks)

#Expected questionEvidence
8Use Gauss's law to find the field of an infinite plane sheet of charge2026 paper
9A Wheatstone bridge network: balance condition and an unknown resistance2026 paper
10A dielectric slab inserted in a capacitor: change in capacitance, charge, potential and energy2026 paper
11Explain how a depletion layer and barrier potential form in a p-n junction2026 paper
12Ray diagram and magnifying power of an optical instrument2026 paper
13Multi-step numerical on electrostatic potential or potential energy2026 paper
14Numerical on a semiconductor diode circuit2026 paper
15Numerical on total internal reflection and the critical angle2026 paper

Answer format (examples are illustrative)

QuestionWhat to write
Plane sheetDraw a cylindrical Gaussian surface. Flux comes out of two end faces, so E x 2A = sigma A / epsilon-zero, giving E = sigma / (2 epsilon-zero)
Wheatstone bridgeAt balance P/Q = R/S. If P = 10, Q = 20 and R = 15, then S = 30 ohm
Dielectric insertionSay clearly whether the battery stays connected. Example with the battery disconnected: C0 = 10 microfarad charged to 100 V stores 0.05 J. Inserting K = 5 makes C = 50 microfarad, keeps Q at 1 mC, drops V to 20 V and drops the energy to 0.01 J
p-n junctionDiffusion of carriers across the junction leaves immobile ions. The depletion layer grows until drift balances diffusion. Mention the barrier potential and include a labelled diagram
Optical instrumentTelescope in normal adjustment: magnifying power = fo / fe and tube length = fo + fe. Draw the ray diagram with the final image at infinity
TIRCritical angle: sin(ic) = 1/n. For n = 1.5, ic is about 41.8 degrees
Diode circuitState whether the diode is forward or reverse biased. Example with an ideal forward-biased diode, 5 V and 1 kilo-ohm: current = 5 mA

Teachers described Section C theory as easy and expected, and the multi-step numericals as testing analytical skill. Times Now also quoted a student who found Section C lengthy.

Section D: Case-Study Questions (8 Marks)

#Expected questionEvidence
16A passage on the moving coil galvanometer, with sub-questions on torque, sensitivity and conversion2026 paper
17A passage on the photoelectric effect, with sub-questions on threshold frequency, stopping potential and kinetic energy2026 paper
18A passage on an optical device or optical phenomenon, with sub-questionsReports conflict. One principal called the 2026 Optics case study tough

Answer format (examples are illustrative)

  • Galvanometer conversion: a shunt S = Ig G / (I minus Ig) makes an ammeter. A series resistance R = V / Ig minus G makes a voltmeter. Example: G = 50 ohm, Ig = 1 mA. For a 1 A ammeter, S is about 0.05 ohm. For a 10 V voltmeter, R = 9,950 ohm.
  • Read the whole passage first. Underline the data. Most sub-questions can be answered from the passage plus one formula.

Section E: Five-Mark Long Answers (15 Marks)

#Expected questionEvidence
19A derivation from Electrostatics, such as the field of a dipole or the energy stored in a capacitor2026 paper (Electrostatics derivations)
20A derivation from Ray Optics, such as the lens maker's formula or refraction at a spherical surface2026 paper (Ray Optics derivations)
21A derivation from EMI, such as motional emf or a transformer2026 paper (EMI and AC derivations)
22A derivation from AC, such as the impedance of a series LCR circuit or the condition for resonance2026 paper (EMI and AC derivations)

Coverage names the chapters. The specific derivations above are my suggestions of the standard ones in each chapter, so learn the full list. Our derivation list with step-wise marking covers them.

Answer format

StepWhat to do
1Draw the labelled diagram first. It earns a mark in most derivations
2State the assumptions and the law you begin from
3Show every algebra step. Do not jump
4Box the final expression
5Write units in numerical sub-parts

One teacher noted that sign errors and overlooked requirements can cost high scorers marks.

Other Likely Questions From Heavy Units

#Expected questionEvidence
23Current electricity: Kirchhoff's rules, a potentiometer comparison, or a cell with internal resistanceSyllabus. Not named in the 2026 coverage I could read
24Magnetism: force on a moving charge, a cyclotron or a solenoid. The Magnetic Effects block is 17 marksSyllabus, per EdexLive's unit marks
25Atoms: Bohr model, energy levels and spectral seriesSyllabus. Not named in the 2026 coverage I could read

4-Week Practice Plan

WeekFocusQuestions in this list
Week 1Electrostatics and Current Electricity8, 10, 13, 19, 23. Do one derivation a day
Week 2Magnetism, EMI and AC4, 21, 22, 24. Practise the torque numericals
Week 3Optics and Modern Physics7, 12, 15, 18, 20, 25, 5, 6, 17. Redraw every ray diagram
Week 4Semiconductors, case studies and full papers11, 14, 16, then two full timed papers

This is a suggestion, not an official schedule. Our numericals guide covers the shortcuts, and our case-study practice has more passages.

Paper-Day Time Plan

The 2026 paper was long, and some students said three hours was not enough to revise. Plan for speed.

SectionSuggested timeNote
A (16 MCQs)About 25 minutesSkip long calculations and return
B (5 questions)About 15 minutesWrite the formula and the unit
C (7 questions)About 50 minutesMulti-step numericals need care
D (2 case studies)About 20 minutesRead the passage once, carefully
E (3 derivations)About 45 minutesDiagram first
ReviewAbout 15 minutesCheck signs and units

These timings are illustrative. CBSE does not publish a per-section time split.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these the exact questions in the 2027 Physics board exam?

No. Nobody outside CBSE knows the 2027 questions. This list ranks question types by evidence from the paper design, what teachers reported about the 2026 paper, and the syllabus. Any page or channel that promises the actual paper is a scam.

What is the paper design for CBSE Class 12 Physics 2027?

The 2026-27 sample paper has 33 compulsory questions for 70 marks in 3 hours: 16 one-mark questions, five 2-mark, seven 3-mark, two 4-mark case studies and three 5-mark long answers. Practical and internal assessment carry the other 30 marks.

Was the 2026 Physics paper difficult?

Reports differ. Teachers quoted by NDTV and Times Now called it easy to moderate, though lengthy. Other teachers called it moderate to difficult. The common points were many derivations, multi-step numericals and a long paper that left some students no time to revise.

Which Physics units carry the most marks?

I confirmed three units: Electrostatics at 16 marks, the Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism block at 17 marks, and Electronic Devices at 7 marks. Check the CBSE syllabus PDF for the rest.

How many derivations should I learn?

All the standard ones. In 2026, Section E drew derivations from Electrostatics, Ray Optics, and EMI and AC, and many questions were similar to previous year questions. One teacher noted that each section carried derivations. See our derivation list for the standard set.

Is Physics paper easier for JEE aspirants?

One Gurugram teacher quoted by Times Now said JEE aspirants looked confident because the paper matched their preparation. A Noida teacher said the paper did not seem designed around Biology students, and that students with strong mathematical understanding may find it easier.

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