CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Syllabus 2026 has been released in a PDF format on the official website of CBSE Academics at cbseacademic.nic.in. The theory paper in Legal Studies will be conducted for 80 marks.
CBSE Syllabus for Class 12 Legal Studies 2026 has been released on the official website of CBSE Academics at cbseacademic.nic.in. A total of 8 units are included in the syllabus for legal studies, namely Judiciary, Alternative Dispute Resolution in India, Topics in Law- I (Business Laws), Topics in Law- II (General Laws), Concept of Human Rights, International Law, Legal Profession in India, and Legal Services. The theory paper will be conducted for 80 marks, and the remaining marks will be allotted for a project work. You are required to get minimum passing marks in both papers to successfully pass. Do not forget to also check out the
CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Exam Pattern 2026
.
To revise the syllabus, grab the
CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Sample Paper 2026
. Make sure to practice at least one sample paper every day for effective revision. Read more on the CBSE Syllabus for Class 12 Legal Studies 2026 below:
CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Syllabus 2026 is divided into eight units. The table below represents the names of units and the topics included in them. In addition, check the marks allocated for each of the units.
Sr. No.
Unit
Marks
Unit 1
Judiciary
08
Unit 2
Alternative Dispute Resolution in India (ADR)
08
Unit 3
Topics in Law- I (Business Laws)
Chapter 3 (A) - Law of Contract
Chapter 3 (B) - Law of Torts Chapter 3 (C) - Law of Property
Chapter 3 (D) - Intellectual Property Law
20
Unit 4
Topics in Law- II (General Laws)
Chapter 4 (A) -Law and Sustainable Development Chapter 4 (B)- Forms of Legal Entities
Chapter 4 (C) - Criminal Laws in India
10
Unit 5
Concept of Human Rights Chapter 5 (A)-Human Rights in India
Chapter 5 (B)-Human Rights Violations Complaint Mechanism (Quasi-Judicial Bodies)
10
Unit 6
International Law
08
Unit 7
Legal Profession in India
08
Unit 8
Legal Services
08
CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Syllabus 2026
You can refer to the detailed CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Syllabus 2026 here:
S.No
Unit Name
Content
Unit 1
Judiciary
Structure, Hierarchy of Courts, and Legal Officers in India
Constitution, Roles and Impartiality
Appointments, retirement and removal of Judges
Tribunals
Courts and Judicial Review
Unit 2
Alternative Dispute Resolution in India (ADR)
Adversarial and Inquisitorial Systems
Meaning and scope of ADR
Arbitration
Mediation
Conciliation
Lok Adalat
Ombudsman
Lokpal and Lokayukta
Unit 3
Law of Contract
Introduction to Contracts
Formation of Contract
Intention to Contract
Consideration
Capacity to Contract
Consent
Types of Contracts
Discharge of Contract
Remedies in case of breach
Unit 3
Law of Torts
Concept of law of Torts
Sources of Law of Torts
Intentional Tort
Defamation
Negligence
Strict Liability
Absolute Liability
Unit 3
Law of Property
Types of Property
Who can transfer property
Essential of a valid transfer
Types of Transfer- Sale, Lease, Exchange, Gift
Unit 3
Intellectual Property Law
Meaning of Intellectual Property
International Obligations that have shaped Indian IPR
WIPO
Copyright
Patent
Trademark
Geographical Indication
Design
Unit 4
Law and Sustainable Development
Introduction
Initiatives under International Scenario
Provisions under Indian Constitution
Environment Protection Act, 1986
Pollution Control Boards
Unit 4
Forms of Legal Entities
Types of Legal Entities in India
Sole Proprietorship
Partnership
Limited Liability Partnership
Private Limited company
Public Limited Company
One Person Company
Unit 4
Criminal Laws in India
Objectives of Criminal law
Legislations for Criminal laws in India
Distinction between Intention and Motive
Stages of crime
The Indian Evidence Act
Admission and Confession
Unit 5
Human Rights in India
Introduction
Historical Context
Indian Constitutional framework on Human Rights and related Laws in India
The Preamble
Fundamental Rights-Part III of the Constitution
3. Directive Principles-Part IV- Articles 36-51
4. Fundamental Duties- Part IV(A)- Article 51 A
Unit 5
Human Rights ViolationsComplaint Mechanism (QuasiJudicial bodies)
What are Quasi- Judicial Bodies?
2) Various Human Rights Commissions
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
National Commission for Minorities
National Commission for Women (NCW) a) National Commission for
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
National Commission for Protection of Child’s Rights (NCPCR)
Unit 6
International Law
Introduction
Historical Evolution of International Law
What is International Law?
Sources of International Law
International Human Rights
International Law & Municipal Law g) International Law & India
Dispute Resolution
Unit 7
Legal Profession in India
The Advocate Act,1961
Lawyers and Professional Ethics c) Advertising by Lawyers
Liberalization and Globalization of legal profession
Women and Legal Profession
Legal Education in India, USA and UK
Opportunities for Law Graduates
Unit 8
Legal Services
Brief history of Legal services
Free Legal Aid under Criminal law
Legal aid by the State
Legal Aid under the Indian Constitution
National Legal Services Authority(NALSA)
Legal Services Authority Act,1987
7) Legal Aid in context of social justice and Human Rights
CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Project Work 2026
You are required to do a project on ‘Understanding Case Laws’. You are required to select any 3 decided cases related to the curriculum, where one must be civil in nature, one criminal, and one constitutional. The research on the cases must include the following points:
Name of the case
Parties to the case
Citation to the case
Nature of the case
Bench
Facts of the case and issues involved
Decision of the case, including Obiter Dicta and Ratio Decidendi
Rubrics
Topic
Exceeding (76-100 percent)
Accomplished (61-75 percent)
Developing (34-60 percent)
Beginning 13(15-33 percent)
Presentation of all facts of the case
All the relevant facts are presented clearly in a chronological, organized, logical and interesting sequence
The facts are supported with relevant evidence related to the case
Most of the crucial facts have been stated sequentially as per the happening of the case
Some facts are stated but not in a sequential manner
Only a few unrelated and irrelevant facts have been stated
Statement of Legal problem and prediction about outcome
Legal problem has been precisely defined and unambiguously stated
Analysis of the legal problem has been done thoroughly and predicts clear outcome with logical reasoning
Legal problem has been nearly correctly stated
Analysis of the legal problem predicts a near clear outcome
Legal problem has been vaguely conceived
Analysis of the Legal problem does not predict a clear outcome
Legal problem has not been identified clearly,
No analysis of the legal problem has been done to predict the outcome
Information gathering
The information gathered in relation to the case is relevant and sufficient to encompass all crucial facts and all applicable laws
The information gathered in relation to the case is relevant and sufficient to encompass only crucial facts without applicable laws
The information gathered in relation to the case is relevant but insufficient to encompass all relevant facts and applicable laws
The information gathered in relation to the case is insufficient
Establishing correlation in facts
All of the crucial facts are well correlated to each other and presented in a logically persuasive manner
Most of the crucial facts have been stated and are correlated to each other and presented in a logically persuasive manner
Some of the stated facts are correlated to each other and presented in a logical manner
The stated facts lack correlation and are not presented in a logically persuasive manner
legal analysis and reasoning
Legal analysis is done by organizing evidence to accentuate differences, or similarities related to case. Use superior inductive and deductive reasoning abilities and present analogy.
Legal analysis is done by organizing some evidence but organization is less than effective. Shows less Logical reasoning (inductive deductive) than required.
Legal analysis is done by organizing some evidences but organization is not effective. Logical reasoning (inductive – deductive) is missing.
List some evidences but not able to organize it. Legal analysis is incoherent
Identification of decidendi and obiter dicta
Ratio decidendi and Obiter dicta has been identified in a crystal clear terms
Ratio decidendi and Obiter dicta has been little less clearly identified
Ratio decidendi and Obiter dicta has been vaguely identified
Ratio decidendi and Obiter dicta has not been identified
Reflections on the Case
Corroborate alternative arguments with research and innovation. Question existing beliefs. Show inconsistencies in existing body of evidence to arrive at result. Analyse pros and cons of existing decision viz a viz alternative solutions.
Identify connection between existing laws and their application in this case. Consider alternative arguments to affect the present outcome
Analyse from a personal perspective why a particular action/decision has happened.
repeats only what has happened in the case
You are required to download the CBSE Syllabus for Class 12 Legal Studies 2026 to prepare for the papers. Make sure to complete the syllabus on time.
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FAQs
From where can students get the previous year questions papers for class 12 Legal Studies?
The CBSE board offers Class 12 Legal Studies previous year question papers online. The students can visit the official website and download the previous year question papers available in the PDF format.
Will there be a practical for CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies 2026?
There is no practical in the CBSE Syllabus for Class 12 Legal Studies 2026 however, there will be a project for 20 marks. You will have to prepare three cases and follow all the steps carefully to complete the project.
Where can students find the CBSE Class 12th Legal Studies Syllabus 2026?
CBSE Syllabus for Class 12 Legal Studies 2026 has been released on the official website of CBSE Academics at cbseacademic.nic.in.
Which are the important topics in the CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Syllabus 2026?
While studying for the CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies, students must especially focus on Unit 3 as it has the highest marks weightage. Besides this, students should cover all the topics mentioned in the CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Syllabus 2026.
What will be the format for CBSE Class 12th Legal Studies 2026 exam?
The CBSE Class 12th Legal Studies 2026 exam will include the case-based MCQs. The question paper will comprise 40% of the total questions. In addition, competency-based questions will be 40% and long questions will be 20%. The board will follow the marking scheme according to the National Education Policy 2020.
