Class 11 Biology Syllabus 2026-27: CBSE/NCERT PDF

Class 11 Biology Syllabus 2026-27: Overview

Find the overview of 11th class biology syllabus:

Unit No.	Unit Name	Marks
I	Diversity of the Living World	12
II	Structural Organisation in Animals and Plants	12
III	Cell Structure and Function	12
IV	Plant Physiology	17
V	Human Physiology	17
Total (Theory)		70
Practical	Experiments, Slide Preparation, Spotting, Viva, Record	30
Grand Total		100

Download Class 11 Biology Syllabus PDF!

To help you in exam preparation, we’ve added the official CBSE Class 11 Biology Syllabus 2026-27 PDF. It includes complete details of units, chapters, practicals, and exam pattern. Students are advised to keep a copy for regular reference.

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Class 11 Biology Syllabus 2026-27

Let’s discuss in detail the biology syllabus for class 11 CBSE and NCERT:

Unit I: Diversity of the Living World (12 Marks)

This unit in biology class 11th syllabus builds the foundation of Biology by explaining the variety of life forms, classification, and biodiversity.

Chapter	Details Covered
The Living World	What is living, taxonomic categories, taxonomical aids (herbarium, museum, zoological parks, keys).
Biological Classification	Five kingdom classification, monera, protista, fungi, plantae, animalia, viruses, viroids, lichens.
Plant Kingdom	Algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, angiosperms, plant life cycles and alternation of generations.
Animal Kingdom	Basis of classification, levels of organisation, symmetry, coelom, segmentation; phyla from Porifera to Chordata with examples.

Unit II: Structural Organisation in Animals and Plants (12 Marks)

This unit in 11th class biology syllabus explains the morphology and anatomy of higher plants and basic animal tissues.

Chapter	Details Covered
Morphology of Flowering Plants	Root, stem, leaf, inflorescence, flower, fruit, seed, description of families (Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Liliaceae).
Anatomy of Flowering Plants	Tissues, tissue systems, anatomy of dicot and monocot root, stem and leaf, secondary growth.
Structural Organisation in Animals	Animal tissues (epithelial, connective, muscular, neural), morphology and anatomy of frog.

Unit III: Cell Structure and Function (12 Marks)

The 3rd unit of biology syllabus for class 11 focuses on the cell as the structural and functional unit of life.

Chapter	Details Covered
Cell – The Unit of Life	Cell theory, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, cell size and shape, structure of cell organelles.
Biomolecules	Structure and function of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids; enzymes – properties, classification, mechanism of action.
Cell Cycle and Cell Division	Phases of cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis, significance of cell division.

Unit IV: Plant Physiology

The 4th unit in syllabus for class 11 biology deals with plant functions like transport, nutrition, photosynthesis, and growth.

Chapter	Details Covered
Transport in Plants	Means of transport, plant-water relations, diffusion, osmosis, long distance transport, transpiration, phloem transport.
Mineral Nutrition	Essential minerals, macro and micronutrients, deficiency symptoms, nitrogen metabolism, biological nitrogen fixation.
Photosynthesis in Higher Plants	Pigments, light reaction, electron transport, photophosphorylation, C3, C4 and CAM pathways.
Respiration in Plants	Glycolysis, fermentation, aerobic respiration, electron transport system, energy relations.
Plant Growth and Development	Growth phases, differentiation, dedifferentiation, plant growth regulators, photoperiodism, vernalisation.

Unit V: Human Physiology

The 5th unit in biology syllabus for class 11 CBSE explains how different systems in the human body work together.

Chapter	Details Covered
Digestion and Absorption	Human digestive system, digestion of food, absorption, assimilation, digestive glands, disorders.
Breathing and Exchange of Gases	Human respiratory system, mechanism of breathing, transport of gases, regulation, disorders.
Body Fluids and Circulation	Blood composition, blood groups, clotting, human circulatory system, cardiac cycle, ECG, disorders.
Excretory Products and Their Elimination	Human excretory system, urine formation, regulation of kidney function, dialysis, disorders.
Locomotion and Movement	Types of movement, skeletal system, joints, muscle contraction mechanism, disorders.
Neural Control and Coordination	Neuron structure, impulse conduction, central nervous system, reflex action, sense organs.
Chemical Coordination and Integration	Endocrine glands, hormones, mechanism of hormone action, disorders related to hormones.

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CBSE Class 11 Biology Syllabus for Practicals

Component	Marks
One Major Experiment	5
One Minor Experiment	4
Slide Preparation	5
Spotting	7
Practical Record + Viva Voce	4
Project Record	5
Total	30

1. Experiments

• Study and description of the distribution of stomata in the upper and lower surface of leaves.
• Comparative study of the rates of transpiration using potometer.
• Separation of plant pigments by paper chromatography.
• Study of plasmolysis in onion peel cells.
• Study of distribution of different types of plant tissues (permanent and meristematic) by preparing temporary slides.
• Study of mitosis in onion root tip cells.
• Study of osmotic pressure by potato osmometer.

2. Slide Preparation

• Preparation and study of TS of dicot root, stem and leaf.
• Preparation and study of TS of monocot root, stem and leaf.
• Preparation and study of permanent slides of animal tissues (stratified epithelium, areolar tissue, adipose tissue, striated muscle).

3. Spotting (7 Marks)

Identify and comment on:

• Plant specimens: Algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, angiosperms.
• Animal specimens: From Porifera to Chordata.
• Fossils: Study of importance.
• Prepared slides: Mitosis, meiosis stages.

4. Practical Records & Projects

• Maintain a proper practical record notebook.
• Project work (can be chosen from environment, biodiversity, human health, genetics, etc.).

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CBSE Class 11 Biology Syllabus: Question Paper Design

• Maximum Marks: 70 (Theory)
• Duration: 3 Hours

1. Typology of Questions

Type of Questions	Marks per Question	No. of Questions	Total Marks
Very Short Answer (VSA) / MCQs	1	10	10
Short Answer I (SA-I)	2	5	10
Short Answer II (SA-II)	3	9	27
Long Answer (LA)	5	5	25
Total	–	29	70

2. Class 11 Biology Marks Distribution Chapter-wise

Unit	Marks
I. Diversity of the Living World	12
II. Structural Organisation in Animals and Plants	12
III. Cell Structure and Function	12
IV. Plant Physiology	17
V. Human Physiology	17
Total	70

3. Internal Assessment

• Practical Work – 15 Marks
• Project Record – 5 Marks
• Practical Record & Viva Voce – 5 Marks
• Class Test/Periodic Assessment – 5 Marks

Suggested Project Topics for CBSE Class 11 Biology Syllabus

• Effect of Different Fertilizers on Plant Growth – Compare chemical vs organic fertilizers.
• Study of Water Pollution in a Local Area – Testing for pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen.
• Role of Microbes in Everyday Life – Fermentation, antibiotics, probiotics.
• Effect of Different Light Colours on Photosynthesis – Using aquatic plants for experiment.
• Survey of Common Human Diseases in Your Locality – Their causes, symptoms, and preventive measures.
• Study of Plant Growth Regulators (Hormones) – Effect of auxins, gibberellins, etc.
• Antimicrobial Effect of Medicinal Plants – Testing tulsi, neem, garlic, turmeric, etc.
• Impact of Junk Food on Health – Case study or survey among students.
• Effect of Acid Rain on Plant Growth – Simulation and observation.
• Study of Blood Groups in Classmates/Family Members – Preparing frequency chart.
• Effect of Music on Plant Growth – Observing response of plants to sound vibrations.

Prescribed Books for CBSE Class 11 Biology Syllabus

The CBSE recommends NCERT textbooks as the primary resource for Class 11 Biology. Students should strictly follow these for board exams and competitive exams like NEET.

• Biology – Class XI, NCERT Publication
• Other reference books (optional): Trueman’s Elementary Biology, Pradeep’s Biology, or other guides for additional practice.

Check the latest CBSE Class 11 syllabus for all subjects below:

Class 11th History Syllabus	Class 11th Chemistry Syllabus
Class 11th Legal Studies Syllabus	Class 11th Informatics Practices Syllabus
Class 11th Accountancy Syllabus	Class 11th Psychology Syllabus
Class 11th Entrepreneurship Syllabus	Class 11th Fine Arts Syllabus
Class 11th Business Studies Syllabus	Class 11th Sociology Syllabus
Class 11th Maths Syllabus	Class 11th Economics Syllabus
Class 11th Political Science Syllabus	Class 11th English Syllabus
Class 11th Physics Syllabus	Class 11th Hindi Syllabus
Class 11th Geography Syllabus	Class 11th Computer Science Syllabus

Class 11 Biology Chapters List

Unit	Chapters
Unit I: Diversity of the Living World	1. The Living World 2. Biological Classification 3. Plant Kingdom 4. Animal Kingdom
Unit II: Structural Organisation in Animals and Plants	5. Morphology of Flowering Plants 6. Anatomy of Flowering Plants 7. Structural Organisation in Animals
Unit III: Cell Structure and Function	8. Cell – The Unit of Life 9. Biomolecules 10. Cell Cycle and Cell Division
Unit IV: Plant Physiology	11. Transport in Plants 12. Mineral Nutrition 13. Photosynthesis in Higher Plants 14. Respiration in Plants 15. Plant Growth and Development
Unit V: Human Physiology	16. Digestion and Absorption 17. Breathing and Exchange of Gases 18. Body Fluids and Circulation 19. Excretory Products and Their Elimination 20. Locomotion and Movement 21. Neural Control and Coordination 22. Chemical Coordination and Integration

Total: 22 chapters across 5 units.

Objectives of CBSE Class 11th Biology Syllabus 2026-27

The syllabus of Biology in Class 11 is framed with the following objectives:

• Develop understanding of life processes by studying plants, animals, and human systems in detail.
• Introduce diversity of organisms and their structural and functional organisation.
• Build knowledge of cell structure and functions, forming the basis for advanced molecular biology.
• Explain physiological processes in plants and humans, connecting biology with chemistry and physics.
• Develop experimental and analytical skills through practical work, spotting, and slide preparation.
• Encourage awareness about environment and sustainability by linking biological concepts to real-life issues.
• Prepare students for higher studies and competitive exams like NEET, AIIMS, and other medical/paramedical fields.

Tips to Prepare for CBSE Class XI Biology Syllabus

1. Focus on NCERT First

NCERT is the backbone of Class 11 Biology and also the most important for NEET. Read every line, make notes of key terms, and practice NCERT-based questions.

2. Practice Diagrams Regularly

Diagrams carry high weightage in exams. Practice well-labeled diagrams of cells, tissues, organ systems, and plant structures to score easy marks.

3. Revise Chapter-wise Summaries

After completing each chapter, prepare a short summary or flow chart of important points. This helps in quick revision before tests and exams.

4. Strengthen Concepts, Not Rote Learning

Biology has facts, but understanding processes like photosynthesis, digestion, or mitosis will make them easier to remember and apply in questions.

5. Prepare Notes for Definitions & Examples

Important definitions, scientists’ names, classifications, and examples should be noted separately for last-minute revision.

6. Balance Theory with Practicals

Don’t ignore practical work. Perform every experiment sincerely, maintain records neatly, and revise spotting examples regularly.

7. Solve Previous Year Question Papers

Go through past Class 11 exam papers and sample papers. This will help you understand the question format, marking scheme, and important topics.

8. Connect with NEET Preparation (if aiming medical)

Class 11 syllabus forms the base for NEET. Start solving objective questions along with theory so that you can strengthen your competitive exam preparation side by side.

Read the chapter-wise summaries of Class 11 English here:

The Portrait of a Lady Summary	Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues Summary
We’re Not Afraid to Die Summary	The Landscape of The Soul Summary
The Ailing Planet Summary	The Browning Version Summary
The Adventure Summary	A Photograph Summary
Silk Road Summary	The Voice of The Rain Summary
Childhood Summary	Father to Son Summary
Birth Summary	Mother’s Day Summary
The Summer of The Beautiful White Horse Summary	The Address Summary
The Laburnum Top Summary