CBSE Computer Science Syllabus 2026-27, Classes 3 to 12 Complete

Confused about what is covered in CBSE Computer Science across different classes? This comprehensive guide provides the complete syllabus breakdown for all classes from 3 to 12, including CTAI (Classes 3-8), ICT (Classes 9-10), and Computer Science (Classes 11-12).

Overview of CS Subjects Across Classes

Classes	Subject Name	Status	Exam Type
3-8	CTAI (Coding, Technology, AI, Innovation)	Skill subject	Project-based, no board exam
9-10	ICT (Information and Communication Technology)	Skill subject (Code 402)	Internal assessment
11-12	Computer Science (Code 083)	Elective subject	Board exam
11-12	Informatics Practices (Code 065)	Elective subject	Board exam

Classes 3-5: CTAI Syllabus

The CTAI curriculum for primary classes focuses on building foundational skills through play and exploration.

Core Topics

Area	Topics Covered
Computational Thinking	Decomposition, Pattern Recognition, Abstraction, Algorithm Design
Coding	Block-based coding using Scratch Jr and Scratch
	Sequences, Loops, Events, Conditionals
Technology	Computer parts, using a mouse and keyboard
	Drawing tools, word processing basics
Innovation	Creative problem-solving activities

Assessment, Portfolio-based, No written examination, Focus on projects and class participation

Classes 6-8: CTAI Syllabus

The middle school CTAI curriculum introduces more structured coding and AI concepts.

Core Topics

Area	Topics Covered
Coding	Transition from block-based to text-based coding
	Python basics: Variables, loops, conditionals, functions
	Lists, strings, simple data structures
AI	Introduction to AI and Machine Learning
	AI domains: Computer Vision, NLP
	AI Project Cycle
	AI ethics and responsible AI
Technology	Internet basics, web services
	HTML introduction
	Spreadsheet functions and charts
	Cyber safety
Innovation	Design thinking, prototyping
	Entrepreneurship basics

Assessment, Project-based assessment (40%), Portfolio (30%), Class participation and peer review (30%)

Class 9 ICT Syllabus (Code 402)

Unit-wise Breakdown

Unit	Topics	Suggested Hours
Unit 1: Communication Skills	Verbal, non-verbal communication, feedback	15
Unit 2: Self-Management Skills	Stress management, self-awareness	10
Unit 3: ICT Skills	Internet basics, web services, email	25
	HTML basics: Tags, attributes, text formatting
	HTML lists, images, links
	GIMP basics: Tools, filters, layers
Unit 4: Entrepreneurial Skills	Business ideas, market research	10
Unit 5: Green Skills	Sustainability, e-waste management	10

Key Topics in Detail

Internet and Web:

• History and working of the Internet, Web browsers, URLs, protocols (HTTP, FTP, SMTP), Email, blogs, e-commerce, e-governance, Cloud computing basics, Cyber safety and security threats

HTML:

• Basic structure of an HTML document, Heading, paragraph, text formatting tags, Font tag and attributes, Lists (ordered, unordered, definition), Image tag and attributes, Anchor tag (hyperlinks), Body tag attributes

GIMP:

• Interface and basic tools, Selection, paint, and transform tools, Image formats (JPEG, PNG, GIF), Basic filters (blur, sharpen), Layers basics, Saving and exporting images

Class 10 ICT Syllabus (Code 402)

Unit-wise Breakdown

Unit	Topics	Suggested Hours
Unit 1: Communication Skills	Advanced communication, presentation skills	15
Unit 2: Self-Management Skills	Time management, goal setting	10
Unit 3: ICT Skills	HTML tables, forms, CSS basics	25
	Network security and encryption
	Advanced GIMP tools and filters
	Computer hardware components
Unit 4: Entrepreneurial Skills	Business plan, marketing	10
Unit 5: Green Skills	Green economy, sustainable practices	10

Key Topics in Detail

HTML Advanced:

• Tables: table, tr, th, td, caption, Attributes: cellpadding, cellspacing, colspan, rowspan, Forms: input types (text, password, radio, checkbox), Select dropdown, textarea, CSS basics: inline, internal, external, CSS selectors and properties, DHTML concepts

Network Security:

• Encryption and decryption, Symmetric and asymmetric encryption, Caesar cipher, Digital signatures, SSL/TLS and HTTPS, Firewalls

Computer Hardware:

• CPU components (CU, ALU, Registers), Primary memory (RAM, ROM), Secondary storage (HDD, SSD), Input and output devices, Motherboard components, Ports and connectors

Class 11 Computer Science Syllabus (Code 083)

Unit-wise Breakdown with Marks

Unit	Topic	Marks
Unit 1	Computer Systems and Organization	10
Unit 2	Computational Thinking and Programming	45
Unit 3	Society, Law, and Ethics	15
	Total Theory	70
	Practical	30
	Grand Total	100

Detailed Syllabus

Unit 1: Computer Systems and Organization (10 marks)

Topic	Sub-topics
Number System	Binary, Octal, Decimal, Hexadecimal conversions
	1's and 2's complement
	Binary arithmetic (addition, subtraction)
Boolean Logic	Logic gates: AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, XNOR
	Truth tables
	De Morgan's theorems
	Boolean expression simplification
Encoding	ASCII, ISCII, Unicode
Computer Organization	CPU, Memory, I/O devices
	Primary and secondary memory
Software	System software, application software
	Operating systems concepts
Emerging Trends	AI, ML, IoT, Cloud Computing
	Blockchain, Big Data, AR/VR
	Robotics

Unit 2: Computational Thinking and Programming (45 marks)

Topic	Sub-topics
Problem Solving	Algorithms, Flowcharts, Pseudo code
	Decomposition
Python Basics	Data types: int, float, string, boolean
	Variables, constants, operators
	Input/output (input(), print())
	Type conversion
Control Flow	if, if-else, if-elif-else
	for loop, while loop
	break, continue, pass
	Nested loops
Strings	String operations and methods
	Indexing, slicing
	String functions: len(), upper(), lower(), find(), etc.
Lists	Creating, accessing, modifying lists
	List methods: append(), insert(), remove(), pop(), sort()
	List comprehension
Tuples	Creating, accessing tuples
	Tuple operations
	Difference between list and tuple
Dictionary	Creating, accessing, modifying dictionaries
	Dictionary methods
Functions	Built-in functions
	User-defined functions
	Parameters and arguments
	Default, keyword, positional arguments
	Return values
	Scope: Local and global variables

Unit 3: Society, Law, and Ethics (15 marks)

Topic	Sub-topics
Digital Footprint	Active and passive digital footprint
Digital Divide	Causes, Indian initiatives
E-Waste	Hazards, management, Indian regulations
IPR	Copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret
	Software licensing, open source
	Software piracy
Cyber Safety	Cyber crime, cyber law
	IT Act, 2000
Health	Physical and mental health impacts
	Ergonomics, 20-20-20 rule
Gender and IT	Gender digital divide
Disability and IT	Assistive technologies, accessibility

Practical Exam (30 marks)

Component	Marks
Lab work (Python programs)	12
Report file (minimum 20 programs)	7
Project work	8
Viva voce	3

Class 12 Computer Science Syllabus (Code 083)

Unit-wise Breakdown with Marks

Unit	Topic	Marks
Unit 1	Computational Thinking and Programming, 2	40
Unit 2	Computer Networks	10
Unit 3	Database Management	20
	Total Theory	70
	Practical	30
	Grand Total	100

Detailed Syllabus

Unit 1: Computational Thinking and Programming, 2 (40 marks)

Topic	Sub-topics
Python Revision	Quick recap of Class 11 concepts
Functions Advanced	Recursion
	Mathematical library functions
File Handling	Text files: open, read, write, close
	Binary files using pickle module
	CSV files
Data Structures	Stack (using list)
	Stack operations: push, pop, peek
Exception Handling	try, except, finally
	Built-in exceptions

Unit 2: Computer Networks (10 marks)

Topic	Sub-topics
Network Basics	Types of networks (LAN, MAN, WAN)
	Network topologies (Star, Bus, Ring, Mesh, Tree)
	Network devices (Hub, Switch, Router, Gateway, Modem)
Network Protocols	HTTP, FTP, SMTP, POP3, TCP/IP
	Telnet, SSH
Web Technologies	HTML basics
	XML concepts
Network Security	Firewall, cookies
	Cyber threats and prevention

Unit 3: Database Management (20 marks)

Topic	Sub-topics
Database Concepts	Relational database, table, record, field
	Primary key, candidate key, foreign key
	Degree, cardinality
SQL	DDL: CREATE, ALTER, DROP
	DML: INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE
	DQL: SELECT with WHERE, ORDER BY, GROUP BY, HAVING
	Aggregate functions: SUM, AVG, COUNT, MAX, MIN
	DISTINCT, BETWEEN, IN, LIKE
	Joins (Cartesian product, equi-join)
Python-MySQL	mysql.connector module
	connect(), cursor(), execute(), fetchone(), fetchall()
	Performing CRUD operations from Python

Practical Exam (30 marks)

Component	Marks
Lab work (Python + SQL programs)	12
Report file (minimum 20 programs)	7
Project work (Python + MySQL)	8
Viva voce	3

How to Prepare for Each Level

Classes 3-8 (CTAI)

1. Focus on hands-on practice rather than memorization
2. Use Scratch and Code.org for coding practice
3. Build projects regularly
4. Explore AI tools like Teachable Machine
5. Keep a portfolio of all your work

Classes 9-10 (ICT)

1. Practice writing HTML code by hand on paper
2. Learn GIMP operations by doing them on a computer
3. Memorize Internet protocols and their full forms
4. Practice Caesar cipher encryption/decryption
5. Create complete web pages combining tables, forms, images, and links

Classes 11-12 (Computer Science)

1. Practice Python coding daily - minimum 2 programs per day
2. Solve previous year question papers
3. Master SQL queries with different table structures
4. For Class 11: Focus on number systems and Boolean logic - they are scoring
5. For Class 12: Practice file handling and Python-MySQL connectivity
6. Complete your practical file well before the exam
7. Work on a meaningful project - do not just copy from the Internet

Important Websites

Website	Purpose
cbse.gov.in	Official CBSE syllabus and sample papers
cbseacademic.nic.in	Curriculum documents and study material
diksha.gov.in	NCERT content and e-learning
scratch.mit.edu	Block-based coding practice
python.org	Python documentation and downloads
w3schools.com	HTML, CSS, and SQL tutorials

Key Takeaways

• CBSE CS education is structured in three levels: CTAI (3-8), ICT (9-10), CS (11-12)
• CTAI is project-based with no formal exam
• ICT is internally assessed with practical focus
• CS Class 11-12 has a board exam worth 70 marks (theory) + 30 marks (practical), Python is the core programming language from Class 6 onwards, SQL is introduced in Class 12 with database management
• Practice, practice, practice - CS is a skill-based subject that improves with hands-on work