The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Sample Paper 2025-26 on its official website — cbseacademic.nic.in. This sample paper serves as a blueprint for the upcoming board exam, helping students understand the latest exam pattern, marking scheme, and question format.
If you’re a Class 12 student preparing for the Legal Studies exam, this guide will help you download the sample paper, understand its structure, and prepare effectively to score high marks.

Overview of CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies 2025-26
Legal Studies is an important subject for Humanities students, especially those interested in pursuing law, public administration, or civil services. The subject helps students understand the structure of the Indian legal system, key laws, and the role of judiciary.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Board | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Class | 12 |
| Subject | Legal Studies |
| Session | 2025–26 |
| Official Website | https://cbseacademic.nic.in |
| Type | Sample Paper with Marking Scheme |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
Importance of CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Sample Paper 2025-26
The sample paper gives you a clear idea about the types of questions, weightage of marks, and the difficulty level of the upcoming exam. Here’s why you must practice it before your board exam:
- 📘 Familiarity with Exam Pattern: Understand question types such as case studies, short answers, and long answers.
- 🧠 Concept Clarity: Applying your understanding to real-life legal situations.
- 🕒 Time Management: Practice writing within the time limit of 3 hours.
- ✅ Self-Assessment: Check your preparation level and identify weak areas.
- 🎯 Board Exam Readiness: Boost confidence and reduce exam-day stress.
CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Sample Paper 2025-26 PDF Download
Students can download the official sample paper and marking scheme for Legal Studies directly from the CBSE Academic website.
Steps to Download CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Sample Paper 2025-26
- Visit the official CBSE website: cbseacademic.nic.in
- Click on the “Sample Question Paper” tab.
- Select “SQP 2025-26” under the Class XII section.
- Choose the subject Legal Studies (Code: 074).
- Download both the Sample Paper (PDF) and Marking Scheme (PDF).
📄 Direct Links (for reference):
- CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Sample Paper 2025-26 PDF
- CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Marking Scheme 2025-26 PDF
CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Exam Pattern 2025-26
Understanding the latest exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation. The 2025–26 Legal Studies question paper follows the updated CBSE design focusing on conceptual understanding, case-based reasoning, and analytical skills.
| Type of Question | No. of Questions | Marks | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Short Answer (1 mark each) | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Short Answer Type (2 marks each) | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| Case-Based / Source-Based Questions (3 marks each) | 5 | 3 | 15 |
| Long Answer Type (5 marks each) | 5 | 5 | 25 |
| Total | — | — | 80 Marks |
| Internal Assessment | — | — | 20 Marks |
| Grand Total | — | — | 100 Marks |
CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Syllabus 2025-26 (Overview)
The 2025-26 syllabus has been designed to give students an in-depth understanding of law, justice, and governance. Below is the unit-wise syllabus:
Unit I – Judiciary
- Structure and hierarchy of courts in India
- Jurisdiction of courts
- Judicial process and independence of judiciary
Unit II – Topics of Law
- Property law
- Contracts
- Torts
- Consumer Protection
Unit III – Arbitration, Tribunal Adjudication, and Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Concept of arbitration
- Types of tribunals
- Lok Adalats and mediation
Unit IV – Human Rights in India
- Meaning and evolution of human rights
- Role of the National and State Human Rights Commissions
- Rights of women and children
Unit V – Legal Profession in India
- Legal education
- Bar Council of India
- Ethics in the legal profession
Unit VI – Legal Services
- Free legal aid
- Lok Adalats
- Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
Note: Always refer to the latest CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies syllabus PDF 2025-26 available on the official website before studying.
Marking Scheme for CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies 2025-26
The marking scheme helps you understand how examiners allocate marks for each question. It also provides the model answers that CBSE expects students to write.
Key Points in Marking Scheme
- Focus on legal reasoning and clarity of concepts.
- Use of legal terminology is appreciated.
- Case study questions are graded on both interpretation and application.
- Neat and structured answers earn more marks.
Practicing with the marking scheme ensures that your answers align with CBSE’s evaluation pattern.
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Chapter-Wise Important Topics for Revision
Here’s a list of important topics that are frequently asked in previous years’ board exams and sample papers:
| Unit | Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Judiciary | Judicial review, Writs, Independence of judiciary |
| Topics of Law | Consumer Protection Act, Tort liability, Contract essentials |
| ADR | Arbitration, Lok Adalat, Tribunal system |
| Human Rights | Fundamental Rights vs Human Rights, NHRC functions |
| Legal Profession | Bar Council of India, Role of lawyers |
| Legal Services | PIL, Legal aid, Role of NALSA |
Tips to Score 90+ Marks in CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies 2025-26
Want to score above 90 in your Legal Studies board exam? Follow these expert-backed tips:
1. Understand Concepts, Don’t Memorize
Legal Studies is not about rote learning. Focus on understanding the logic behind legal principles and real-world applications.
2. Practice Case Studies
Solve case-based questions regularly. They test your analytical and reasoning skills, which carry high weightage.
3. Follow the Marking Scheme
Download and study the marking scheme along with the sample paper. Write answers in the same structured format used by toppers.
4. Revise Important Laws
Go through important acts like:
- Consumer Protection Act
- Contract Act
- Human Rights Act
5. Time Yourself
When solving sample papers, set a timer for 3 hours to simulate exam conditions. This will improve speed and accuracy.
6. Highlight Legal Terms
Use terms like litigation, adjudication, arbitration, and jurisdiction wherever applicable to make your answers more professional.
7. Practice Previous Year Papers
Attempt at least 5 years’ previous papers to understand recurring question patterns and important topics.
Benefits of Practicing CBSE Legal Studies Sample Paper 2025-26
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Improves Concept Clarity | Helps apply legal concepts to real-world cases. |
| Boosts Confidence | Reduces anxiety and builds familiarity with question types. |
| Enhances Writing Skills | Encourages clear and concise legal reasoning. |
| Exam Strategy Development | Learn time allocation per section effectively. |
CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Sample Paper 2025-26: Expert Preparation Strategy
Here’s a 3-step strategy recommended by teachers and past board exam toppers:
Step 1 – Conceptual Clarity
Start with NCERT and CBSE Legal Studies textbooks. Make short notes for each topic and underline key legal terms.
Step 2 – Practice & Analyze
Attempt both sample papers and previous year papers. Compare your answers with the official marking scheme to find improvement areas.
Step 3 – Final Revision
Focus on case-based and long-answer questions during the last 15 days. Create flashcards for quick law references.
CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Sample Paper 2025-26: Question Paper Design
According to the CBSE 2025 guidelines, the paper will test:
| Competency | Approx. Weightage |
|---|---|
| Understanding and Application | 40% |
| Analysis and Evaluation | 30% |
| Remembering and Knowledge | 20% |
| Case-Based and Situation Analysis | 10% |
Thus, your preparation should not only involve reading but also interpreting and analyzing questions logically.
Conclusion
The CBSE Class 12 Legal Studies Sample Paper 2025-26 is one of the most valuable tools for students preparing for the board exam. By practicing this paper along with the official marking scheme, you can understand the question pattern, improve conceptual clarity, and boost your confidence before the final exam.
Make sure to download the official PDF, solve it within the time limit, and revise regularly. With the right preparation strategy and consistent practice, scoring 90+ in Legal Studies is absolutely achievable!