CBSE Board Exam 2026 Live: Nishant Kumar Singh, Subject Matter Expert, Seth M.R. Jaipuria Schools
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The Central Board of Secondary Education conducted the Class XII Physics examination, and the paper presented was of a moderate to slightly challenging difficulty level. It was a balanced mix of conceptual recall and numerical application, placing a strong emphasis on understanding fundamental principles. The paper was well-aligned with the NCERT syllabus, ensuring that students with a firm grasp of the textbook could navigate it successfully. The distribution of questions was even across the major topics of Physics, including Electrodynamics, Optics, and Modern Physics.
Section A (Multiple Choice Questions): The first 18 questions were straightforward and primarily concept-based, testing direct recall and simple applications of formulas. Questions on topics like the velocity of an EM wave (Q1), diode resistance (Q3), magnetic flux (Q4), and de Broglie wavelength (Q10) were direct and could be solved quickly by well-prepared students. However, some questions, like the one on the dipole rotation work done (Q5), required multiple steps and a clear conceptual understanding, potentially posing a challenge for some.
Section B (Short Answer Questions – 2 Marks): Questions in this section were of moderate difficulty and required concise, to-the-point answers. The numerical problems, such as calculating threshold frequency from photoelectric effect data (Q19) and circuit analysis (Q20), were standard and directly from the NCERT framework. The question on the effect of phase difference in Young’s double-slit experiment (Q21) tested conceptual understanding in a simple “what if” scenario.
Section C (Short Answer Questions – 3 Marks): This section was the core of the conceptual paper. It required students to not just state facts but also explain phenomena and perform structured derivations. The question on the prism (Q23) and the drift velocity relation (Q25) were textbook-based and accessible. The questions on torque on a coil (Q26) and the comparison of deuteron and alpha particle (Q28) were good differentiators, testing the ability to apply concepts in comparative scenarios. The question on the EM wave (Q22) was a direct test of a fundamental derivation and wave properties.
Section D (Case Study Questions): The two case-study based questions (Q29 on capacitors and Q30 on moving charges) were innovative and well-structured. They successfully tested the application of concepts in a connected context. While the initial parts were simple data-based questions, the later parts (like the OR parts in Q29 and Q30) required a deeper, integrated understanding of the topic and could be time-consuming. This section effectively assessed competency over rote learning.
Section E (Long Answer Questions): The paper offered a good choice with internal options in the 5-mark questions. These questions were comprehensive and demanding. They required structured, step-by-step solutions. For instance, Q31 on optics asked for both a theoretical derivation and a numerical application. Q32 on electrostatics was conceptually rich, requiring interpretation of graphs and calculation of potential energy in an external field. Q33 on modern physics and AC circuits combined conceptual justifiers with heavy numerical calculations, testing higher-order thinking and time management skills. The derivations asked (e.g., lens combination, refraction at a spherical surface) were core topics and expected.
Overall, the paper was well-balanced and adhered to the competency-based assessment model. It rewarded students who had a strong conceptual foundation and had practiced numerical problems extensively. While the paper was fair, it successfully differentiated between students who relied on memorization and those with a genuine understanding of Physics principles. Time management was crucial, particularly for the detailed long-answer questions and the case-study based problems.
