NSEP Syllabus 2025, Exam Pattern, and Books
NSEP Syllabus 2025
NSEP Syllabus serves as a guide that tells about the important topics from which questions are asked in the National Standard Examination in Physics. Conducted every year by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT), the NSEP allows students to test their knowledge in Physics and compete at national and international levels. The NSEP syllabus 2025-26 is based on the NCERT topics covered in classes 11th and 12th.
NSEP is a pen-and-paper exam conducted in English, Hindi, and some other Indian languages. More than 2,00,000 students participate every year from around 1,500 centers across India. For students who love physics, NSEP is not just an exam but a platform to qualify for the Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO) and international competitions. For the current year, NSEP 2025-26 is expected to be held on 23rd November 2025.
Since the time is limited, preparing seriously by following the NSEP exam syllabus becomes very important for scoring good marks. Knowing the NSEP chapter wise weightage, exam pattern, and important topics can greatly help students boost their preparation. Keep reading to check the detailed NSEP syllabus 2025-26 and useful Olympiad books to cover it effectively.
NSEP Syllabus 2025-26
NSEP Syllabus 2025-26 has been released by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT). Students can expect questions from mechanics, thermodynamics, waves and oscillations, optics, current electricity, electrostatics, magnetism, geometrical optics, and modern physics.
NSEP 2025 syllabus focuses on understanding concepts clearly and solving problems based on application. While it follows the CBSE curriculum for Classes 11 and 12, the NSEP exam syllabus is a bit more challenging. It needs deeper understanding, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. To check the topic-wise NSEP syllabus class 11 and 12, continue reading.
NSEP Syllabus Class 11
NSEP Syllabus Class 11 covers important topics from NCERT textbooks like Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Waves, and Modern Physics. Studying these chapters helps students strengthen concepts, improve problem-solving skills, and prepare effectively for the upcoming NSEP 2025 exam. Check the detailed NSEP Syllabus Class 11 outlined below.
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NSEP Syllabus Class 11 |
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Topic |
Subtopics |
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Units and Measurements |
• SI units, measurement errors• Dimensional analysis• Significant figures |
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Kinematics |
• Motion in a straight line• Projectile and circular motion |
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Laws of Motion |
• Newton's laws• Friction• Dynamics of circular motion |
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Work, Energy, and Power |
• Work-energy theorem• Potential energy and collisions |
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System of Particles and Rotational Motion |
• Center of mass• Torque and angular momentum• Moment of inertia |
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Gravitation |
• Kepler's laws• Gravitational potential• Satellite motion |
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Mechanical Properties of Solids and Fluids |
• Stress-strain, elasticity• Viscosity and Bernoulli’s theorem• Surface tension |
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Thermal Physics |
• Thermal expansion• Heat transfer• Laws of thermodynamics |
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Oscillations and Waves |
• SHM and resonance• Damped/forced oscillations• Wave types and Doppler effect |
Check out: Class 11th Olympiad
NSEP Syllabus Class 12
NSEP syllabus class 12 covers advanced Physics topics like Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Electromagnetic Waves, Modern Physics, and Electronic Devices. It is designed to test a student’s understanding, analytical skills, and problem-solving ability. The detailed NSEP syllabus class 12 is given below.
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NSEP Syllabus Class 12 |
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Topic |
Subtopics |
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Electrostatics |
• Coulomb's law, electric field• Gauss's law• Electric potential and capacitors |
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Current Electricity |
• Ohm’s law, resistors• Kirchhoff’s laws• Potentiometer, Wheatstone bridge |
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Magnetism |
• Biot-Savart and Ampere’s law• Magnetic dipoles and Earth’s magnetism |
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Electromagnetic Induction and AC |
• Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws• Transformers, LCR circuits, AC theory |
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Electromagnetic Waves |
• Displacement current• Electromagnetic spectrum and properties |
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Optics |
• Reflection/refraction• Lenses and mirrors• Interference and diffraction |
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Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter |
• Photoelectric effect• de-Broglie hypothesis |
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Atoms and Nuclei |
• Bohr’s model• Radioactive decay and nuclear energy |
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Electronic Devices |
• Semiconductors• Diodes, LEDs, solar, and Zener diodes |
Check out: Class 12th Olympiad
NSEP Chapter Wise Weightage
The NSEP chapter wise weightage helps students identify topics that have been frequently asked in past examinations. It shows which chapters are more important and need extra focus during preparation.
Checking the NSEP syllabus weightage also helps students manage time effectively and concentrate on high-scoring topics. Let's check the NSEP Chapter Wise Weightage for class 11th and 12th Physics topics one by one.
NSEP Syllabus Weightage of Class 11
As per the analysis of past year examinations, some chapters in the NSEP syllabus class 11 carry more questions and marks than others. Topics like Work, Energy and Power, Oscillations and Waves, etc., carried the highest weightage. These chapters are important for students to focus on while covering the NSEP 2025 syllabus. Check the detailed NSEP Chapter Wise Weightage Class 11 here:
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NSEP Syllabus Weightage of Class 11 |
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Chapter |
Weightage of Questions |
Percentage Weightage |
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Units and Measurement |
8 |
2.00% |
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Motion in a Straight Line |
5 |
1.25% |
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Motion in a Plane |
15 |
3.75% |
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Laws of Motion |
10 |
2.50% |
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Work, Energy, and Power |
23 |
5.75% |
|
System of Particles and Rotational Motion |
16 |
4.00% |
|
Gravitation |
8 |
2.00% |
|
Mechanical Properties of Solids |
3 |
0.75% |
|
Mechanical Properties of Fluids |
21 |
5.25% |
|
Heat and Thermodynamics |
18 |
4.50% |
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Thermodynamics |
12 |
3.00% |
|
Kinetic Theory |
5 |
1.25% |
|
Oscillations and Waves |
22 |
5.50% |
|
Waves |
20 |
5.00% |
NSEP Syllabus Weightage of Class 12
From the NSEP syllabus class 12, topics like Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Optics, and Modern Physics have higher weightage and are important to study. Check the NSEB syllabus weightage of questions here:
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NSEP Syllabus Weightage of Class 12 |
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Chapter |
Weightage of Questions |
Percentage Weightage |
|
Electrostatics |
15 |
3.75% |
|
Current Electricity |
18 |
4.50% |
|
Magnetism |
12 |
3.00% |
|
Electromagnetic Induction and AC |
10 |
2.50% |
|
Electromagnetic Waves |
8 |
2.00% |
|
Optics |
20 |
5.00% |
|
Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter |
10 |
2.50% |
|
Atoms and Nuclei |
12 |
3.00% |
|
Electronic Devices |
5 |
1.25% |
Read More: NSEP Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions PDF
NSEP Exam Pattern 2025
NSEP exam pattern helps students plan how to attempt questions, manage time, and focus on high-mark sections. The NSEP 2025 exam carries a total of 216 marks. The paper is divided into two sections: Section A has 48 single-correct MCQs, and Section B has 12 multiple-correct MCQs. Section A has negative marking, while Section B does not.
NSEP is going to be conducted offline in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Gujarati, Bangla, Tamil, and Telugu. Check the complete NSEP exam pattern 2025 here:
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NSEP Exam Pattern 2025 |
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Category |
Details |
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Exam Name |
NSEP 2025-26 |
|
Total Questions |
60 |
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Maximum Marks |
216 |
|
Duration |
120 minutes |
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Mode |
Offline |
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Type of Questions |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
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Sections |
Section A: 48 single correct questions (3 marks each) Section B: 12 multiple correct questions (6 marks each) |
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Negative Marking |
Section A: -1 mark for wrong answers Section B: No negative marking |
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Medium of Paper |
English, Hindi, Gujarati, Bangla, Tamil, Telugu (if opted for by at least 300 students) |
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Centre Eligibility |
A school must have at least 30 enrolled students in a subject to become a centre |
NSEP Study Material For Exam Preparation
Along with NCERT textbooks, using additional reference books can help students cover the NSEP 2025 syllabus effectively. PW's Olympiad Books for 11th and 12th classes provide in-depth explanations of key concepts and offer different types of practice questions.
These NSEP study materials help students develop a strong conceptual understanding, improve problem-solving skills, and prepare for application-based and analytical questions often asked in NSEP exams. Find Olympiad Books by PW based on the updated NSEP 2025 Syllabus here:
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Olympiad Books to Cover NSEP Syllabus 2025 |
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Benefits of Using PW Olympiad Books for NSEP Exam Preparation
While students have many book options, Olympiad Books by PW can help them greatly as they focus on building strong concepts and improving problem-solving skills. Here are some key benefits of choosing PW Olympiad Books for NSEP Exam Preparation:
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Clear Concepts: Helps students understand foundational Physics topics deeply in an easy-to-understand manner.
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Covers NSEP Past Year Questions: Gives detailed solutions to NSEP previous year questions papers
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Different Levels of Questions: Includes easy, medium, and tough questions for step-by-step understanding of tougher concepts.
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Simple Explanations: Every solution is explained in an easy way for better understanding.
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Challenging Problems: Trains students to think deeply and solve tough exam questions.
Also Read: How to Prepare for NSEP Exam 2025?
NSEP Syllabus 2025 FAQs
Q.1. What is the NSEP syllabus 2025-26?
Ans. The NSEP syllabus 2025-26 is based on Class 11 and Class 12 Physics topics from NCERT, including mechanics, electricity, magnetism, optics, thermodynamics, and modern physics, among others.
Q.2. Is the NSEP syllabus tougher than JEE?
Ans. While the NSEP syllabus focuses more on advanced mechanics, conceptual clarity, and experimental physics, the JEE gives more importance to electronics and application-based questions. So, both are tougher in their own way.
Q.3. Is NCERT enough to cover the NSEP exam syllabus?
Ans. NCERT is very important for clearing basics, but to score better marks in the NSEP exam, students also need extra practice from advanced Olympiad-level books provided by PW.
Q.4. Is there negative marking in the NSEP exam?
Ans. Yes, as per the NSEP exam pattern, Section A has -1 mark for every wrong answer, but Section B has no negative marking.
Q.5. Is it possible to cover the NSEP 2025 syllabus in just 1 month?
Ans. It may be tough to complete the NSEP syllabus in just 1 month. However, students can focus on key topics as per the NSEP syllabus weightage, revise the NCERT, and solve previous year papers to prepare better in a limited time.
