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CBSE Class 12 Economics Sample Paper 2025–26: Download PDF, Marking Scheme, and Preparation Tips

Oct 31, 2025
6 min read
Amit Kumar
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Are you preparing for the CBSE Class 12 Economics Board Exam 2025–26? Then the Economics Sample Paper 2025–26 released by CBSE is your ultimate tool to understand the latest exam pattern, question types, and marking scheme.

This article provides a complete overview of the CBSE Class 12 Economics Sample Paper 2025–26, including its PDF download link, marking scheme, important topics, and expert preparation tips to help you score 95+ marks confidently.

CBSE Class 12 Economics Sample Paper 2025–26

Overview of CBSE Class 12 Economics Sample Paper 2025–26

The CBSE Economics Sample Paper 2025–26 gives students a clear idea about the question paper pattern, types of questions, and weightage of chapters. It is designed based on the latest CBSE Class 12 Economics Syllabus 2025–26 and strictly follows the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework introduced by CBSE.

Key Highlights:

Particular Details
Board Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Class 12
Subject Economics
Academic Year 2025–26
Total Marks 80 (Theory) + 20 (Project Work)
Exam Duration 3 Hours
Question Paper Type Competency-based with MCQs, case studies, and long answers

CBSE Class 12 Economics Exam Pattern 2025–26

The Class 12 Economics question paper (Code: 030) is divided into two main parts:

Part A – Macroeconomics (40 Marks)

Covers topics like national income, money and banking, government budget, and balance of payments.

Part B – Indian Economic Development (40 Marks)

Focuses on Indian economy’s growth, planning, liberalization, and sectoral development post-independence.

Section-Wise Weightage for Economics 2025–26

Units Marks
Part A: Introductory Macroeconomics  
National Income and Related Aggregates 10
Money and Banking 6
Government Budget and the Economy 6
Balance of Payments 6
Total (Part A) 28 Marks
Part B: Indian Economic Development  
Development Experience (1947–1990) and Economic Reforms (Post-1991) 12
Current Challenges Facing the Indian Economy 16
Development Experience of India – A Comparison with Neighbours 4
Total (Part B) 32 Marks
Grand Total (Theory) 80 Marks

 

Note: Internal assessment or project work carries 20 marks, bringing the total to 100 marks.

CBSE Class 12 Economics Sample Paper 2025–26 PDF Download

Students can download the official CBSE Class 12 Economics Sample Paper 2025–26 PDF and Marking Scheme PDF directly from the CBSE academic website.

Download Links:

These PDFs will help you analyze question trendsmark distribution, and answer presentation format.

Question Paper Design for Economics 2025–26

The CBSE has designed the paper to test conceptual understandinganalytical ability, and real-life application of concepts.

Question Type Number of Questions Marks per Question Total Marks
Very Short Answer (MCQs/1-mark) 20 1 20
Short Answer 4 3 12
Long Answer 6 6 36
Total 30 Questions 80 Marks

Competency-Based Question Pattern

In line with NEP 2020, the CBSE board has introduced competency-based questions in the sample paper to test students’ practical understanding rather than rote learning.

Type of Question Approx. Weightage
Remembering & Understanding 45%
Application 25%
Analysis, Evaluation & Creation 30%

 

Tip: Focus more on case studiesdata interpretation, and real-life examples to tackle competency-based questions effectively.

Important Topics for CBSE Class 12 Economics 2025–26

To prepare efficiently, students must focus on high-weightage topics from both Macroeconomics and Indian Economic Development.

🔹 Part A – Macroeconomics

  1. National Income and Related Aggregates

    • GDP, GNP, NDP, NNP, Factor Cost & Market Price
    • Real & Nominal GDP, Circular Flow of Income
  2. Money and Banking

    • Functions of Money, Supply of Money
    • Role of Commercial Banks & RBI
    • Credit Creation Process
  3. Government Budget and the Economy

    • Budget Receipts, Expenditure, Fiscal Deficit
    • Revenue vs Capital, Budget Deficit Measures
  4. Balance of Payments

    • Current & Capital Account
    • Disequilibrium & Exchange Rate

🔹 Part B – Indian Economic Development

  1. Development Experience (1947–1990)

    • Five-Year Plans, Economic Reforms 1991
    • Role of Public and Private Sectors
  2. Current Challenges Facing Indian Economy

    • Poverty, Unemployment, Human Capital Formation
    • Rural Development & Infrastructure
  3. Comparative Development Experience

    • India vs China vs Pakistan: Growth & Development Indicators

CBSE Class 12 Economics Marking Scheme 2025–26

CBSE releases a marking scheme PDF along with the sample paper to help students understand how answers are evaluated.

Key Insights:

  • Marks are awarded for stepwise presentation.
  • Use proper economic termsdiagrams, and formulas.
  • Include logical reasoning and data interpretation in long answers.
  • Case study-based questions carry higher weightage in application and analysis.

Sample Evaluation:

  • Correct Concept: 1 mark
  • Formula/Definition: 1 mark
  • Diagram/Graph (if applicable): 1 mark
  • Explanation & Interpretation: 2–3 marks

Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

Apart from the 80-mark written exam, CBSE has allotted 20 marks for internal assessment, which includes project work and viva.

Component Marks
Project File 10
Written Test / Viva 5
Presentation / Class Involvement 5
Total 20 Marks

Project Work Topics (Sample Ideas):

  • Impact of Demonetization on Indian Economy
  • Trends in Employment in India
  • India’s Foreign Trade since 1991
  • Comparative Study of Growth Indicators – India vs China

Tip: Choose a project topic related to current economic issues and use authentic data sources like RBI, MOSPI, and NITI Aayog.

How to Prepare Using CBSE Class 12 Economics Sample Paper 2025–26

Here’s how to make the most out of the sample paper:

✅ 1. Understand the Paper Pattern

Go through the sample paper and marking scheme thoroughly to understand question distribution, difficulty level, and topic-wise importance.

✅ 2. Practice Time Management

Set a timer for 3 hours and attempt the entire paper in exam-like conditions. This helps in improving speed and accuracy.

✅ 3. Analyze Your Mistakes

Compare your answers with the official marking scheme. Identify your weak areas—conceptual errors, lack of clarity, or time mismanagement.

✅ 4. Focus on Case Study Questions

Practice data-based and case study questions as they carry higher marks and test your analytical skills.

✅ 5. Revise Key Formulas and Definitions

Economics answers should be conceptually clear and supported with the right terminology. Maintain a separate notebook for definitions and formulas.

✅ 6. Use Graphs and Diagrams

Visual presentation adds clarity and fetches better marks. Draw neat, labeled diagrams wherever applicable.

Expert Tips to Score 95+ Marks in Class 12 Economics

  1. Follow NCERT Textbooks Thoroughly – Almost every CBSE question is directly or indirectly based on NCERT.
  2. Prepare Chapter Summaries – Write short notes and flowcharts for last-minute revisions.
  3. Understand Concepts, Don’t Memorize – Economics is logic-driven; focus on reasoning rather than rote learning.
  4. Attempt Sample Papers Weekly – Helps in understanding trends and building exam confidence.
  5. Use Keywords & Proper Terminology – Words like “GDP Deflator,” “Fiscal Deficit,” and “Marginal Propensity to Consume” enhance answer quality.
  6. Solve Previous Year Papers (Last 5 Years) – Repeated concepts often appear with different framing.
  7. Stay Updated with Current Affairs – Relate economic theory with current policies like Union Budget, inflation trends, and RBI decisions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Writing lengthy answers without structure
❌ Ignoring diagrams or labeling them incorrectly
❌ Skipping NCERT numericals or examples
❌ Leaving case study questions for the end
❌ Not practicing under timed conditions

CBSE Class 12 Economics Sample Paper 2025–26: Benefits

Benefits Description
Exam Readiness Understands the latest exam format and marking scheme
Concept Clarity Strengthens understanding of core topics
Time Management Helps in managing 3-hour duration effectively
Self-Evaluation Identifies strengths and weaknesses
Confidence Boost Builds exam temperament and reduces anxiety

CBSE Class 12 Economics Sample Paper 2025–26 – Download Section

You can download both the sample paper and marking scheme PDFs directly from the CBSE official website:

Official Links:

Keep these files handy for practice and cross-checking your answers.

Conclusion

The CBSE Class 12 Economics Sample Paper 2025–26 is more than just a practice paper — it’s a roadmap to success. It helps you understand the latest exam trendsquestion pattern, and marking scheme, ensuring you stay one step ahead in your preparation.

So, download the paper, practice regularly, evaluate your performance, and refine your answers. With consistent effort and smart strategy, scoring 95+ marks in Economics is absolutely achievable!

Author
By Amit Kumar

Amit Kumar is a dedicated professional with over 5 years of experience in the education industry, specializing in academic support, student engagement, and strategic growth initiatives. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with educators, institutions, and students to enhance learning outcomes and streamline educational processes. His expertise lies in combining innovative teaching practices with industry knowledge, making him a valuable contributor to the evolving education sector.

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