The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12 Humanities sample papers are now available for students who are preparing for their 2027 board examinations. The board has released the marking scheme also for the 2026-2027 board examinations on its official website cbseacademic.nic.in.
The sample papers and marking schemes are available for Economics, History, Political Science, Geography and Psychology, among several other subjects. CBSE has also stated in the sample papers that there is no change in the Question Paper Design and Assessment Pattern for the 2026-27 academic session.
Students can use these papers not only to understand the type of questions being asked but also to check the expected answer length, distribution of marks and different question formats.
CBSE Class 12 Humanities 2027 Marking Scheme
The theory and internal assessment/project marks vary across Humanities subjects.
Economics: 80 marks theory + 20 marks project work. The theory paper is of three hours. (CBSE Academics)
History: 80 marks theory + 20 marks project/internal assessment.
Political Science: 80 marks theory + 20 marks project/internal assessment.
Geography: 70 marks theory + 30 marks practical/project work. The sample paper is for three hours. (CBSE Academics)
Psychology: 70 marks theory + 30 marks practical/internal assessment.
CBSE Class 12 Economics Sample Paper 2027: Questions, PDF Download
The Economics sample paper contains two sections — Macroeconomics and Indian Economic Development — with 20 one-mark multiple-choice questions, followed by short- and long-answer questions.
Two questions from the official sample paper are:
1. “Identify, which of the following expenditure falls under the category of capital expenditure.”
2. “Analyse the impact of introduction of Goods and Service Tax in improving the efficiency of the taxation system and benefitting the overall economy.”
The paper also includes numerical questions, assertion-reason questions and application-based questions on topics such as national income, money and banking, government budget, balance of payments and Indian economic development.
CBSE Class 12 History Sample Paper 2027: Questions, PDF Download
The History sample paper contains 34 questions divided into multiple-choice, short-answer, long-answer, source-based and map-based sections. The long-answer questions carry eight marks, while the map-based question carries five marks.
Two questions from the official sample paper are:
1. “Compare Harappan town planning with modern town planning. Which features of Harappan towns reflect their advanced nature? Support your answer with reasons.”
2. “Why did the East India Company introduce the Permanent Settlement in Bengal?”
The sample paper also includes questions based on Mahatma Gandhi, the Revolt of 1857, Vijayanagara, the Constituent Assembly and other themes from the prescribed syllabus.
CBSE Class 12 Political Science Sample Paper 2027: Questions, PDF Download
The Political Science sample paper has 30 questions across five sections. It includes one-mark MCQs, two- and four-mark questions, picture/passage/map-based questions and six-mark questions.
Two questions from the official sample paper are:
1. “State any two arguments put forward by the advocates of economic globalisation.”
2. “‘India’s general elections of 1952 became a landmark in the history of democracy all over the world’. Justify the statement.”
Students should therefore prepare both factual topics and questions requiring analysis, explanation and examples.
CBSE Class 12 Political Science Sample Paper 2027 PDF Download
CBSE Class 12 Geography Sample Paper 2027: Questions, PDF Download
The Geography sample paper carries 70 marks and includes MCQs, source-based questions, short-answer questions, long-answer questions and map-based questions.
Two questions from the official sample paper are:
1. “Explain the concept of human development as introduced by Dr Mahbub-ul-Haq.”
2. “What is Neo-Determinism as introduced by Griffith Taylor? Explain how it provides a middle path between Environmental Determinism and Possibilism?”
The paper also contains questions on population distribution, industries, international trade, water resources, urban waste, transport and regional development.
CBSE Class 12 Geography Sample Paper 2027 PDF Download
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Sample Paper 2027: Questions, PDF Download
The Psychology sample paper includes objective questions, short-answer questions, case-based questions and longer descriptive questions.
Two questions from the official sample paper are:
1. “What are the reasons for the development of psychological disorders according to Karen Horney?”
2. “Explain the concept of stress and describe its two major sources.”
The sample paper also tests topics such as intelligence, personality, psychological disorders, therapeutic approaches, attitudes, groups and stress.
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Sample Paper 2027 PDF Download
How To Download CBSE Class 12 Humanities Sample Papers 2027
Students can download the official sample papers and marking schemes by following these steps:
1. Visit the CBSE Academic website cbseacademic.nic.in.
2. Open the Sample Question Paper section.
3. Select Class XII Sample Question Paper & Marking Scheme for Exam 2026-27.
4. Select the required subject.
5. Click on SQP to download the sample paper.
6. Download the corresponding MS file to check the marking scheme.
CBSE Class 12 Humanities 2027 Preparation Strategy
Students should first compare every sample paper with the official 2026-27 syllabus and identify the chapters covered under each unit. The SQP should be treated as a guide to the question format and assessment pattern rather than as a list of questions that will necessarily be repeated.
For Economics, students should practise numerical questions regularly and revise definitions, concepts, diagrams and application-based questions. The marking scheme should be used to understand how marks are awarded for different steps.
For History, focus on chronology, important personalities, events and themes. Students should practise writing structured answers with relevant examples and also regularly solve map-based questions.
For Political Science, revise important concepts, events and developments chapter-wise. Long answers should contain a clear introduction, relevant points and examples instead of simply reproducing textbook paragraphs.
For Geography, students should give additional attention to maps, diagrams, data-based questions and geographical terminology. Regular map practice is important because the sample paper includes a dedicated map-based section.
For Psychology, students should understand concepts rather than relying only on memorisation. Case-based questions should be practised by identifying the psychological concept first and then connecting it with the situation given in the question.
Finally, students should solve each official sample paper under the prescribed time limit and evaluate their answers using the marking scheme. This can help identify gaps in content knowledge, answer presentation and time management before the board examinations.