Environmental Science (Subject Code 877) carries a total of 100 marks, including 70 marks for the three-hour theory examination and 30 marks for practical and project work. Students can download the official syllabus PDF to check the prescribed topics, assessment requirements and project guidelines.
Direct Link to ISC Class 12 Environmental Science Syllabus 2026-27
ISC Class 12 Syllabus 2026-27 - Overview
| Board Name | Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) |
| Examination | Indian School Certificate (ISC) |
| Class | 12th |
| Subject | Environmental Science |
| Subject Code | 877 |
| Academic Session | 2026-27 |
| Board Examination Year | 2027 |
| Syllabus Mode | Online PDF |
| Official Website | cisce.org |
ISC Class 12 Environmental Science Syllabus 2026-27 PDF Download
CISCE has made the Environmental Science syllabus available for ISC Examination Year 2027. The official PDF contains the complete Class 12 theory syllabus, unit-wise subject content and practical/project work requirements.
Official Syllabus PDF: Download ISC Class 12 Environmental Science Syllabus 2026-27
ISC Class 12 Environmental Science Exam Pattern 2026-27
The ISC Class 12 Environmental Science examination consists of two papers. Paper I is a written theory examination of three hours, carrying 70 marks. Paper II covers practical and project work, carrying 30 marks.
| Paper | Examination Component | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Theory | 3 Hours | 70 |
| Paper II | Practical/Project Work | As per project requirements | 30 |
| Total | Theory and Project | - | 100 |
CISCE does not prescribe a separate question paper for the practical/project component. Students must complete the prescribed project work under teacher supervision, and the work is evaluated by an approved visiting examiner.
ISC Class 12 Environmental Science Unit-Wise Syllabus 2026-27
The Environmental Science syllabus is organised into three sections containing seven units. Students must prepare the prescribed topics in all three sections for the theory examination.
| Section | Unit | Unit Name |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | Human Beings and Nature |
| A | 2 | Population and Conservation Ecology |
| A | 3 | Monitoring Pollution |
| B | 4 | Third World Development |
| B | 5 | Sustainable Agriculture |
| C | 6 | Environmental and Natural Resource Economics |
| C | 7 | International Relations and the Environment |
Section A: Environmental Science Syllabus
Unit 1: Human Beings and Nature
This unit examines the relationship between human societies and the natural environment. It introduces major environmental philosophies and explains how different schools of thought influence the conservation and use of natural resources.
Important topics:
- Modern schools of ecological thought
- Deep Ecology and Shallow Ecology
- Stewardship of Land and the ideas of Wendell Berry
- Social Ecology, Marxist Environmentalism and Socialist Ecology
- Environmental ideas of Gary Snyder and Barry Commoner
- Feminism and Ecofeminism
- Green Politics and environmental movements
- Sustainable Development
- Environmental organisations, including Earth First, WWF and Greenpeace
Unit 2: Population and Conservation Ecology
This unit deals with population growth, ecological regulation and the conservation of biodiversity. Students study population dynamics, human population problems, ecosystem threats and different methods of protecting forests and wildlife.
Important topics:
- Population dynamics, birth and death rates, immigration and emigration
- Population age structure and population pyramids
- Survivorship curves and r-selection and K-selection strategies
- Malthusian Theory of Population
- Demographic Transition Model and carrying capacity
- Exponential and logistic population growth curves
- Factors regulating population size
- Human population control and women's empowerment
- Habitat destruction, genetic erosion and biodiversity loss
- Forest conservation and Joint Forest Management
- National parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves
- In-situ and ex-situ conservation
- Project Tiger as a conservation case study
Unit 3: Monitoring Pollution
The Monitoring Pollution unit explains how environmental pollution is measured and assessed. Students learn basic monitoring techniques, air quality standards, water testing parameters and soil quality indicators.
Important topics:
- Primary and secondary pollutants
- Air pollution monitoring and emission control
- Carbon credits and carbon trading
- Air monitoring stations and sampling requirements
- Manual monitoring techniques, including passive samplers and High Volume Samplers
- Instrumental monitoring using NDIR and Chemiluminescence
- National and international air quality standards
- Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Boards
- Water quality testing, including pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, hardness and nitrates
- Biochemical Oxygen Demand and Chemical Oxygen Demand
- Biological, physical and chemical soil indicators
- Soil respiration, soil aggregates and infiltration rate
Section B: Environmental Science Syllabus
Unit 4: Third World Development
This unit examines the relationship between economic development, urbanisation, migration and environmental sustainability. It also discusses alternative development approaches and environmental planning in cities.
Important topics:
- Urban-rural divide and migration
- Push and pull factors influencing migration
- Environmental consequences of conventional development
- Unequal distribution and excessive consumption of natural resources
- Gandhian approach to development
- Village self-reliance, Antyodaya, Sarvodaya and Panchayati Raj
- Cottage industries and intermediate technology
- Urban sanitation, water supply, transportation and energy problems
- Rainwater harvesting, composting and waste management
- Decentralised Wastewater Management Systems
- New Urbanism and Smart Growth
- International examples of urban environmental planning and management
Unit 5: Sustainable Agriculture
The Sustainable Agriculture unit explains traditional and modern agricultural practices and their environmental consequences. Students study irrigation, the Green Revolution, soil conservation, food processing and long-term food security.
Important topics:
- Traditional agriculture and farming systems in India
- Natural farming, organic farming and modern agriculture
- Traditional and modern irrigation methods
- Canal irrigation, dams, sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation
- Traditional rainwater harvesting systems
- Agriculture before, during and after British rule
- Green Revolution and its social and environmental effects
- High-Yielding Varieties, chemical fertilisers and pesticides
- Land reforms
- Mixed farming, mixed cropping and intercropping
- Crop rotation, green manure and biofertilisers
- Integrated Pest Management and biopesticides
- Food processing, preservation, packaging and storage
- Food adulteration, food additives and quality marks
- Food security, sustainable food systems and equitable access to food
Section C: Environmental Science Syllabus
Unit 6: Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
This unit introduces the economic value of natural resources and environmental services. It examines resource scarcity, economic welfare, externalities and the role of natural capital in sustainable development.
Important topics:
- Natural resources, scarcity and economic growth
- Classification of natural resources
- Renewable and non-renewable resources
- Natural resource accounting
- Gross Domestic Product and Gross National Product
- Advantages and limitations of economic growth indicators
- Environmental economics and net economic welfare
- Natural capital and ecological capital
- Positive and negative externalities
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Extended Producer Responsibility
- Natural capital regeneration and ecosystem services
- Environmental degradation and ecological footprint
Unit 7: International Relations and the Environment
This unit focuses on environmental issues that involve multiple countries. Students examine international environmental challenges, trade policies, intellectual property rights and the role of international cooperation in conservation.
Important topics:
- International environmental issues and transboundary pollution
- Amazon rainforest deforestation
- International wildlife trade and the ivory trade
- Ozone layer depletion and the ozone hole
- Chapman's cycle and ozone-depleting substances
- National sovereignty and international environmental politics
- International trade and environmental protection
- Free trade, protectionism and import barriers
- Trade between developed and developing countries
- World Trade Organization and General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
- Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
- Trade-Related Investment Measures
- Agreement on Agriculture
- Patents, copyrights, trademarks and geographical indications
- International aid, tied aid and untied aid
- Self-reliance and environmental sustainability
ISC Class 12 Environmental Science Practical and Project Work 2026-27
The practical and project component carries 30 marks. CISCE permits students to complete one project from the prescribed categories under the supervision of their teacher. The project must demonstrate environmental understanding, research skills and appropriate methods of data collection or analysis.
| Project Option | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Study of a Current Environmental Problem | Investigate an environmental issue using available information and primary data, and propose possible solutions. |
| Environmental Impact Assessment | Design and carry out an environmental impact assessment, including relevant data collection and analysis. |
| Monitoring a Local Environmental Issue | Monitor a selected environmental issue for at least six months using scientific methods and numerical data. |
| Fieldwork or Training | Complete at least one month of fieldwork or training with a relevant environmental organisation and prepare a report. |
| Plant Population Study | Study plant population and density in a selected area using the quadrat method. |
ISC Environmental Science Project Evaluation 2026-27
The 30-mark practical/project component is evaluated through the prescribed project work. Students complete their projects under their teacher's guidance, and a visiting examiner appointed locally with CISCE approval evaluates the work.
CISCE will not set a separate question paper for practical work. Students should follow the project requirements provided in the official syllabus and their school's instructions.
How to Download ISC Class 12 Environmental Science Syllabus 2026-27 PDF?
Students can download the official ISC Environmental Science syllabus for Examination Year 2027 by following these steps:
- Visit the official CISCE website at cisce.org.
- Open the syllabus section for ISC examinations.
- Select the regulations and syllabuses for Examination Year 2027.
- Find Environmental Science (Subject Code 877).
- Open the official Environmental Science syllabus PDF.
- Read the Class XII syllabus and download the PDF for future reference.
How to Prepare for ISC Class 12 Environmental Science Exam 2027?
Students should prepare for the examination by reviewing the official syllabus and organising their study schedule around all seven units. The subject includes conceptual topics, ecological processes, environmental case studies and practical applications.
- Read the prescribed theory topics from all three sections.
- Prepare concise notes on ecological theories, population growth and conservation methods.
- Practise interpreting population growth curves and environmental indicators.
- Review the important environmental case studies mentioned in the syllabus.
- Understand the applications of environmental economics, international trade and sustainability.
- Select a project topic early, particularly if it requires long-term monitoring or fieldwork.
- Revise regularly and practise writing clear, structured answers.
