WBCHSE Revised Syllabus: The West Bengal Higher Secondary Education Council (WBCHSE) made several revisions to the new syllabus published a few months ago. The decision is aimed to align the syllabi with the newly implemented semester system for Classes XI and XII. These revisions have been implemented to address challenges highlighted by teachers and students, ensuring a seamless transition to the updated curriculum structure.
WBCHSE Revised Syllabus: Syllabi have been revised for which subjects?
Changes have been made across subjects, including English A, English B, Alternative English, Bengali A, Hindi A, Hindi B, History B, History, Political Science, Accountancy, Costing and Taxation, Business Studies, Education, Science of Well-Being, Statistics, Philosophy, Environmental Science, Economics, Geography, and Biological Science. Some subjects have undergone the addition of new sections, while outdated sections have been removed to streamline content and improve clarity.
Among the science subjects, updates to the syllabi for Statistics and Biological Science have been relatively minimal, focusing on specific refinements. Speaking on these changes, WBCHSE President Dr. Chiranjeev Bhattacharya stated, “Based on feedback from teachers and students regarding certain difficulties, we have implemented minor revisions to the syllabus to make the new system more convenient.”
When will these changes take place?
As outlined in the notification, these changes will take effect from the next academic year. The revisions will also be reflected in the 4th edition of the syllabus book, ensuring consistency and accessibility for all stakeholders.
Check detailed list of revisions for various subjects below-
WBCHSE Revised Syllabus: English A (Class XI and XII)
For Class XI, the syllabus for Semester 2 includes significant updates. Textual prosody has been replaced with non-textual prosody under Unit 3, and reading comprehension has been replaced with essay writing or précis writing under Unit 5. These changes aim to broaden the skill set required for comprehension and composition.
For Class XII, the syllabus modifications include replacing “Debut on Stage” with India through a Traveller’s Eyes by Pearl S. Buck under Unit 1 of Semester 3, providing insights into diverse perspectives. In Semester 4, The Lamb to the Slaughter is replaced with A Clean Well-Lighted Place by Ernest Hemingway. Moreover, essay writing has been replaced with substance writing and critical appreciation to develop analytical and evaluative skills.
Topic | Previous Content | New Content |
Textual Prosody | Included | Replaced by non-textual prosody |
Essay Writing (Class XII) | Traditional essays | Substance writing, critical appreciation |
WBCHSE Revised Syllabus: English Alternative (Class XI and XII)
In the revised syllabus for Class XI, I Became an Author has been replaced with Freedom by G.B. Shaw in Semester 1 to expose students to a wider variety of literary styles. Additionally, The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster has been added as an alternative text under Rapid Reader in Semester 2, ensuring flexibility for schools to choose texts.
For Class XII, in Semester 3, “Three Questions” has been replaced with The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs, bringing in a gripping narrative with moral and suspense. In Semester 4, Lotus has been replaced with The Tree of Life by Toru Dutt, reflecting on philosophical and symbolic interpretations.
WBCHSE Revised Syllabus: Bengali (Class XII)
The revised syllabus for Class XII, Semester 3, focuses on linguistic sciences, including phonetics, semantics, and the cultural aspects of Bengali. This ensures a comprehensive understanding of the language’s evolution and its role in society.
In Semester 4, significant literary additions include Rang Number and Harun Rashid’s Mother by Mahasweta Devi, enriching the syllabus with themes of human struggle and resilience. Historical studies of Bengali art and cinema have also been included, highlighting their cultural significance.
Topic | Class | Changes |
Bengali literature & culture | XII, Sem 3 | Focused on linguistics and history. |
New Literature Pieces | XII, Sem 4 | Rang Number and Harun Rashid’s Mother. |
WBCHSE Revised Syllabus: History (Class XI and XII)
For Class XI, the syllabus has been streamlined by removing Chola administration and sections on Bhakti, Sufi, Confucius, Tao, and Shinto, simplifying the study load. Additionally, the revised project work introduces contemporary topics like slavery, Renaissance, and the printing revolution, aligning historical studies with global perspectives.
In Class XII, the syllabus now includes detailed discussions on Bhakti and Sufi movements, colonialism, and nationalism, offering deeper insights into India’s socio-political evolution. Traveler accounts, including those of Al Biruni and Marco Polo, have been added, enriching cultural studies with historical observations.
Class | Topic | Change |
XI | Bhakti and Sufi Movements | Deleted |
XII | Cultural studies | Expanded with traveler accounts |
WBCHSE Revised Syllabus: Political Science (Class XI and XII)
In Class XI, the revised syllabus now incorporates Rabindranath Tagore’s views on nationalism, emphasizing internationalism. Additionally, “Forms of Government” has been redefined as “Types of Government” to provide clarity.
For Class XII, the syllabus expands discussions on post-Cold War international relations, regional organizations such as SAARC and ASEAN, and India’s foreign policy. Moreover, India’s internal governance is covered in greater depth, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the country’s political framework.
Topic | Change |
Nation-Building Challenges | Enhanced discussion on linguistic reorganization. |
Foreign Policy | Post-Cold War relations focus expanded. |
WBCHSE Revised Syllabus: Accountancy (Class XII)
The syllabus for Class XII sees the removal of topics on computerized accounts in both Semester 3 and Semester 4. This adjustment focuses on traditional accounting principles and practices.
WBCHSE Revised Syllabus: Costing & Taxation (Class XI)
For Class XI, exemptions like income from dividends and long-term capital gains have been removed. This ensures a streamlined focus on essential taxation principles.
WBCHSE Revised Syllabus: Business Studies (Class XII)
In Semester 3, modules on marketing and consumer protection have been reshuffled to ensure a balanced distribution of content. Semester 4 now places new emphasis on publicity as part of marketing management, aligning with modern business practices.
Class | Topic | Change |
XII | Consumer Protection | Shifted to earlier semester. |
XII | Marketing Management | Focus refined with new modules. |
WBCHSE Revised Syllabus: Philosophy (Class XI and XII)
The revised syllabus for Class XI now includes Utilitarianism by Bentham and Mill, along with Kant’s ethics, offering a deeper understanding of ethical frameworks.
In Class XII, the section on Vedanta has been expanded to include the concepts of Brahman and Maya, providing students with a more holistic view of Indian philosophy.
Topic | Change |
Ethics | Focus shifted to practical ethics topics. |
WBCHSE Revised Syllabus: Economics (Class XII)
The Class XII syllabus has been expanded to include India’s economic history, highlighting the impacts of British colonialism on agriculture, trade, and industry. Reforms and globalization are discussed, and a new comparative analysis with neighboring countries like China has been introduced to offer a global perspective.
WBCHSE Revised Syllabus: Geography (Class XI and XII)
The revised syllabus places an enhanced focus on practical aspects such as thematic mapping and land use planning for Class XI. Discussions on climate change and its evidence have been updated for Class XII, ensuring alignment with current environmental concerns.
WBCHSE Revised Syllabus: Biological Science (Class XII)
For Class XII, the terms Transcription and Comparative Anatomy have been added to the syllabus, reflecting advancements in biological studies.
Check the official notice below for complete list of changes