NSEC Syllabus 2025, Exam Pattern, and Books
NSEC Syllabus 2025
NSEC Syllabus 2025 guides students about what to study for the National Standard Examination in Chemistry. All the questions in the exam are asked directly from the topics given in the syllabus. So, if you study as per the syllabus of NSEC, you can focus better and score good marks. The National Standard Examination in Chemistry (NSEC) is organized by the Indian Association of Chemistry Teachers (IACT) and conducted by IAPT. It is the first step for students who want to appear in the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO).
Students with a strong interest in Chemistry from class 12th and below can take this exam. For the ongoing academic year, the NSEC 2025 exam date is expected to be November 23, 2025. With only a couple of weeks left, planning studies according to the NSEC syllabus becomes very important.
Moreover, the NSEC exam syllabus 2025 is mainly based on NCERT Class 11 and Class 12 Chemistry topics. Along with the syllabus, students should also understand the NSEC exam pattern, which helps them practice according to the type of questions asked. Keep reading to check the detailed NSEC Syllabus Class 11 and 12, along with the exam pattern and useful Olympiad books.
NSEC Exam Syllabus 2025
NSEC Exam Syllabus 2025 mainly covers Physical, Inorganic, and Organic Chemistry topics from the CBSE curriculum of classes 11th and 12th. Important topics include atomic structure, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, equilibrium, s- and p-block elements, hydrocarbons, and organic principles, among others.
Syllabus of NSEC is designed to test both understanding and application. Students should not only read theory but also practice solving questions using reference Olympiad Books. The class-wise key topics covered in the NSEC syllabus 2025 are given below.
NSEC Syllabus Class 11
NSEC syllabus class 11 covers those topics that strengthen the base of students in Chemistry. It follows the CBSE curriculum and includes important topics like basic concepts of chemistry, atomic structure, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, and equilibrium, among others.
These topics from the syllabus of NSEC not only prepare students for this exam but also build the foundation needed for other highly competitive Chemistry Olympiads. Find the topic-wise NSEC Syllabus Class 11 here:
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NSEC Syllabus Class 11 |
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Topic |
Subtopics |
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Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry |
• Mole concept, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, laws of combination |
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Structure of an Atom |
• Bohr's model, quantum numbers, orbitals, electronic configuration |
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Classification of Elements and Periodicity |
• Periodic trends, modern periodic law, properties |
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Chemical Bonding |
• Ionic and covalent bonds, VSEPR theory, hybridization, MO theory, and hydrogen bond |
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States of Matter: Gases and Liquids |
• Gas laws, ideal gas equation, kinetic theory, surface tension, viscosity |
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States of Matter: Solid State |
• Unit cell, packing efficiency, defects in solids |
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Thermodynamics |
• First law, enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy, Hess’s law |
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Equilibrium |
• Chemical equilibrium, Le Chatelier’s principle, ionic equilibrium, buffer solutions, solubility product |
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Basic Organic Chemistry |
• IUPAC, electronic effects, types of reactions |
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Hydrocarbons |
• Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, benzene reactions, mechanisms |
Check Out: Class 11th Olympiads Books
NSEC Syllabus Class 12
NSEC syllabus class 12 includes advanced topics from Physical, Inorganic, and Organic Chemistry, with chapters like Solid State, Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Surface Chemistry, and others. In Inorganic Chemistry, students need to cover P-block elements and Coordination Compounds. Organic Chemistry topics such as Haloalkanes, Alcohols, Aldehydes, Amines, Polymers, Biomolecules, and Chemistry in Everyday Life are also included.
Questions from the NSEC exam syllabus 2025 aim to test not just memory but the ability to apply concepts while solving tougher and advanced problems. Find the detailed NSEC syllabus class 12 below.
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NSEC Syllabus Class 12 |
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Topic |
Subtopics |
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Solutions |
• Types, concentration terms, colligative properties, Van’t Hoff factor |
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Electrochemistry |
• Redox reactions, electrochemical cells, Nernst equation, conductivity, corrosion |
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Chemical Kinetics |
• Rate laws, order, molecularity, Arrhenius equation |
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Surface Chemistry |
• Adsorption, catalysis, colloids, emulsions |
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General Principles & Extraction |
• Extraction methods of Al, Zn, Fe, Cu |
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Coordination Compounds |
• Nomenclature, bonding theories, isomerism, uses |
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Haloalkanes and Haloarenes |
• Physical and chemical properties, environmental concerns |
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Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers |
• Nomenclature, preparation, important reactions |
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Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids |
• Carbonyl group reactions, acidity, uses |
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Organic Compounds with Nitrogen |
• Amines, cyanides, diazonium salts |
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Biomolecules |
• Carbohydrates, proteins, enzymes, DNA/RNA |
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Polymers |
• Synthetic, natural, biodegradable polymers |
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Chemistry in Everyday Life |
• Medicines, food additives, cleansing agents |
After going through the detailed NSEC Syllabus, let's check the format of the exam. Understanding the NSEC exam pattern and how the paper is set will help students prepare in the right direction and manage their time better during the exam.
Check out: Class 12th Olympiad Books
NSEC Exam Pattern 2025
NSEC exam pattern helps in planning how much time to spend on each question. The NSEC exam is of two hours' duration and is held in English or Hindi, depending on what the student selects during registration. All questions are multiple-choice, and the total number of questions asked is 60, with a total of 216 marks. Check the detailed NSEC Exam Pattern 2025 below:
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NSEC Exam Pattern 2025 |
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Particulars |
Details |
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Exam Duration |
2 hours |
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Test Medium / Language |
English or Hindi (as selected during registration) |
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Question Type |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
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Total Number of Questions |
60 |
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Total Marks |
216 |
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Sets |
Set A and Set B |
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Set-wise Marking Scheme |
Set A: +3 for correct, -1 for wrong Set B: +6 for correct, 0 for wrong |
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Set-wise Number of Questions |
Set A: 48 questions Set B: 12 questions |
Olympaids Books For Covering NSEC Syllabus 2025 Effectively
Covering the NSEC syllabus becomes easy when students have the right books that help in learning concepts simply and practicing questions chapter by chapter. NSEC Books by PW help students cover topics from classes 11 and 12 effectively. They explain important chapters in a simple way, provide examples with step-by-step solutions, and include practice questions that match the level of the actual exam.
Using Olympiad Books for Class 11 makes sure that the basic concepts included in the syllabus that build the base for solving advanced questions are covered deeply. Check the useful reference books prepared by PW that cover basic to advanced Chemistry topics in an easy to understand way here:
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NSEC Study Material by PW |
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Why Choose PW Olympiad Books for NSEC Exam Preparation?
PW Olympiad books are very useful for students preparing for the upcoming NSEC 2025. They are made to help students learn step by step, starting from easier questions and moving to more difficult ones. Here are some benefits of choosing PW Olympiad books for NSEC exam preparation:
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Mixed Questions for Practice: Includes both easy and challenging questions from the NSEC syllabus to improve problem-solving skills step-by-step.
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Concept-Based and Previous-Year Questions: Helps students understand topics clearly and practice questions similar to the actual exam.
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Critical Thinking Exercises: Questions are made to make students think deeper, which is useful for Olympiad preparation.
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Step-by-Step Learning: Covers topics from basic to advanced in a smooth manner.
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Complete Syllabus Coverage: Guides students to cover all key topics of the NSEC syllabus Class 11 and Class 12 Chemistry.
Read More: How to Prepare for NSEC Exam?
NSEC Syllabus 2025 FAQs
Q1. What is the syllabus of NSEC 2025?
Ans. NSEC Syllabus 2025 is the list of topics for the National Standard Examination in Chemistry. It covers important chapters from Class 11 and Class 12 Chemistry, including Physical, Inorganic, and Organic Chemistry.
Q2. Is the NSEC syllabus tough to cover in 2 months?
Ans. NSEC exam syllabus 2025 is vast, but with proper planning, it is possible to cover the important topics in 2 months. Students should focus on high-weightage chapters as per the past years' questions first and revise regularly.
Q3. Can I skip Organic Chemistry from the NSEC exam syllabus 2025?
Ans. Organic Chemistry is a core part of the NSEC syllabus 2025, along with Physical and Inorganic Chemistry. Topics like nomenclature, basic reactions, and hydrocarbons are very important and should not be skipped.
Q4. How many questions are asked in the NSEC exam?
Ans. NSEC exam has 60 multiple-choice questions in total. Set A has 48 questions, each carrying 3 marks (with -1 for wrong answers). Set B has 12 questions, each carrying 6 marks, with no negative marking. The total marks are 216.
Q5. Which chemistry part should I study first from the NSEC syllabus to score well?
Ans. Start with General Organic Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry (focus on periodic trends and S, P, D, and F blocks). Then revise easy Physical Chemistry chapters like Gaseous State and Chemical Kinetics.
