ISC Class 12 Syllabus 2028 Art

ISC
INDIAN SCHOOL CERTIFICATE
EXAMINATION

YEAR 2028

ART
(871)

Developed by:
Research, Development and Curriculum Division (RDCD)
CISCE

January 2026
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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School Certificate Examinations. This publication and no part thereof may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed or
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Examinations.

Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

MISSION STATEMENT

The Council for the Indian School Certificate
Examinations is committed to serving the nation's
children, through high quality educational
endeavours, empowering them to contribute towards
a humane, just and pluralistic society, promoting
introspective living, by creating exciting learning
opportunities, with a commitment to excellence.

ETHOS OF CISCE

Trust and fair play.
Minimum monitoring.
Allowing schools to evolve their own niche.
Catering to the needs of the children.
Giving freedom to experiment with new ideas
and practices.
Diversity and plurality - the basic strength for
evolution of ideas.
Schools to motivate pupils towards the
cultivation of:
Excellence - The Indian and Global
experience.
Values - Spiritual and cultural - to be the bedrock
of the educational experience.
Schools to have an 'Indian Ethos', strong roots in
the national psyche and be sensitive to national
aspirations.

ART (871)
Ws update

Aims
1. To encourage creative expression in and through Art.
2. To develop the powers of aesthetic appreciation.
3. To develop an artistic attitude and values through the study of art.
4. To develop an interest in the world of art.

CLASS XI & XII
Candidates will be required to take three papers of 100 Marks each, including at least one paper from Section A
and at least one paper from Section B.
Papers 1-3 form Section A. Papers 4-6 form Section B.
Papers 1-5 shall be of three hours duration each.
Paper 6 (Craftwork) will be assessed by a Visiting Examiner appointed locally. No question paper shall be set by
CISCE for Paper 6.
Success or failure will depend on a candidate's performance in the subject as a whole.

SECTION A
Paper 1: (3 hours), Drawing or Painting from Still Life
A group of objects which will be artificial and natural and may include such things as cut flowers, fruits,
vegetables, a growing plant, as well as domestic or other artificial objects; the group may be drawn or painted.
The work can be carried out, if the candidate wishes, in relation to the surroundings of the part of the room in
which the group is placed. If the group is painted, the background must be included.
Paper 2: (3 hours), Drawing or Painting from Nature
This paper is divided into two separate sections. Candidates may offer either A or B. In both sections, the subject
may be interpreted freely, either in a decorative or in a realistic manner.
A. Study of the structure of natural forms such as a spray or branch, which may include flowers; foliage or fruit;
fossils, bones, etc. Candidates are expected to reveal their appreciation of natural growth or structure by
means of drawing or painting.
B. A subject will be set for drawing or painting outdoors. There should be evidence of direct study from nature.
Paper 3: (3 hours), Drawing or Painting of a Living Person
Two alternatives will be given. In alternative (A) the model (who may be a boy, girl, man or woman) is to be
placed in an attitude which will be described. The whole figure must be drawn, together with any necessary
artificial or natural objects. If the subject is painted, the model must be seen against a suitable background.
Clothing should be simple and the limbs exposed as much as possible.
Alternative (B) will be mainly a study of the head but may include the arms and hands. Instructions for each
examination will be given. Candidates should be placed closer to the model than for Alternative (A).

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If candidates consider that they have completed their drawings before the end of the examination period, they may
make a separate study. Candidates taking Alternative (A) may choose head, hands or other details. Those taking
Alternative (B) may draw the portrait from another position or make a study of a part of the head or the hands.
In either (A) or (B) the second drawing may be made on the same sheet or paper or on another sheet, which must
be attached. Candidates are to be told that the two drawings will be considered together and that marks will not
be lost if a second drawing is not attempted.

SECTION B
Paper 4: (3 hours), Original Imaginative Composition in Colour
A paper containing a list of alternative subjects will be given to candidates one week before the examination. The
actual composition will be executed in the examination room after a period of not less than seven days from the
distribution of the paper to the candidates; sketches, or other notes must not be taken into the examination room.
Since this is a test of original work, it would be inappropriate for any form of guidance to be given to candidates
other than that printed on the question paper. A variety of themes will be set; these may be given in the form of
titles indicating the subjects, or of specified objects for inclusion in a composition, or in any other form that will
stimulate the imagination. Candidates should base their work if possible on scenes that they have themselves
observed. Any style, or technique, including that which is traditional in the candidates' own area, may be used.
Paper 5: (3 hours), Crafts ‘A’
Candidates will be required to answer any one question. The object of this paper is to test the ability of candidates
in craftwork where the material is restricted to flat paper, ink and/or colour. Question will be set requiring the
design and execution of the following:
• the page of a book, book cover, or end papers;
• a notice or pictorial poster;
• a card such as a Christmas card or invitation card or emblem;
• a patterned paper for a specific purpose.
Several but not all of these alternative subjects will be set and candidates will be required to select any one of
them. There will be an opportunity to make full use of the calligrapher's art with drawn and painted, pen-made or
brush-written lettering.
Paper 6: Crafts ‘B’
This Paper is restricted to school candidates.
The candidates must submit at least one and not more than two examples of Craftwork, which they have executed
during the school year in any one craft from the following eight categories. Further evidence of study in the form
of working drawings, small notebook or photographs may also be submitted.
(a) Earthenware or stoneware pottery such as a jug, bowl, dish, vase or hollowed pottery form which the candidate
has either moulded, hand built or thrown on the wheel and decorated if he or she so wishes.
(b) Abstract or figurative sculpture including reliefs. These can be carved, constructed, assembled, cast or
modelled in any suitable material.
Candidates must be warned not to submit work in material that is likely to break in transit; clay must always
be fired and modelling in plaster must be supported by strong armatures. Sculpture over 60 cm in any
dimension is not acceptable because of difficulties in handling.
(c) Cloth or rug designed and woven by the candidate on the loom for any specified purpose. When possible this
should show experience of spinning and dyeing.
(d) Cotton, wool, silk, bark cloth or other material dyed in a pattern as in block-printing, screen-printing, batik,
tie-and dye, etc. The piece should be at least a square meter in area. Blocks should not be sent.

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(e) Embroidery, mosaic, collage or decorative panels, unframed, but simply and suitably mounted, showing
evidence of ability to relate design to media.
(f) Puppet or marionette (including the type used in shadow plays) representing a specified character or person.
It is desirable that the puppets should be made in relation to a play, and notes on their particular dramatic use
should be included.
(g) Prints in colour or black and white, from an original wood or lino block or a monotype. The main work must
be clearly labelled and suitably mounted. Blocks need not be sent.
(h) Example of a local craft made by the candidate. This should be supported by a second entry showing a personal
development of this craft.
Each candidate must confine his entry to ONE craft.
The work submitted must be the unaided work of the candidate. It must be accompanied by a statement from the
Principal of the school to this effect.

GENERAL
1. Any medium may be used provided that it is suitable for the subject. Painted work must be carried out in a
quick-drying medium and must be completely dry before it is dispatched. When acrylic paint is used for
examination work, it must be mixed with water. All paints used must be of adequate quality: if coloured
crayons or chalk are used, they must have a range and quality comparable with that of paints and must be
carefully fixed at the examination centre before the work is sent to CISCE. Monochrome may be used where
permitted by the regulations for each Paper but will not be accepted as satisfying the requirement in respect
of colour for Paper 4.
2. Candidates must use their judgment with regard to (i) the size of a drawing or painting, (ii) the proportion of
height to width within the space available. In all cases credit will be given for good composition.
3. In each of Papers 1 to 4, the test is one of free drawing or painting, therefore, any mechanical means of
execution of the drawing or painting, (such as measuring or ruling) are not allowed. Instruments and tracing
paper are allowed for Paper 5, but candidates are advised to restrict their use as far as possible.
4. Where question or printed instructions are provided for alternative groups, etc., the Supervising Examiner in
consultation with an Art Teacher will decide which of these alternatives is to form the subject of the
examination, after taking account of local convenience, etc. At centres for candidates from more than one
school, both the alternative subjects in Paper 2 (Plant Drawing) must be provided if they are required by
schools or candidates.
5. Suitable alternative subjects will be provided for the different areas, so far as this may appear desirable;
account will be taken of different climatic conditions in the selection of flower specimens, etc.
6. The paper supplied for use in the examination room will be about 35 cm x 25 cm. Schools or candidates
wishing to work on a larger scale, not larger than Half Imperial or Royal (64 cm x 51 cm) or on a different
type or tone of paper, will be at liberty to provide their own. Work which is carried out on stiff boards or
which is mounted cannot be accepted. The paper used by candidates must not be less than 35 cm x 25 cm and
the work submitted must fill or approximately fill the page.
7. All drawings must be packed flat and not rolled: Half-Imperial and Royal sheets should be folded across
the middle. When drawings are too large to enclose in the envelopes provided, it is essential that the
information required on the front of the envelope be given and that the envelope itself be packed in the same
parcel with the drawings.
8. Examiners are caused great inconvenience by candidates failing to write their examination numbers either
clearly or correctly, thus making identification difficult. Schools are asked to co-operate by directing the
candidates to clearly write their Unique Identification Number (UID Number) and Index Number both, clearly
and correctly on their examination work and that on drawings and paintings this must be written on the front

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(top right hand corner) and also on the back. They must not write anything else on the front of the picture.
Failure to observe this instruction may result in loss of marks.

STANDING INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUPERVISING EXAMINERS
Papers 1-3
The printed 'Instructions' for these papers which are sent to schools well in advance of the examination will be
limited as far as possible to the subjects of the tests. They are for the use of the Supervising Examiner only, in
consultation with the Art Teacher.
It is important that early attention should be given to the provision of the objects and / or models required. In
papers 1 to 3, both alternatives must be set if required by candidates.
The group or subject should be so arranged that each candidate obtains an uninterrupted view: for Paper 1
candidates should not be more than 3.60 meters from the group. Candidates may form a semicircle but not a
complete circle round the group; more than one session may be arranged if there is a large number of candidates.
The examination must be held in good light but care must be taken that sunlight does not fall upon the group or
subject while work is in progress. If the group or subject is painted, the background must be included.
The surface on which the group of objects for Paper 1 and the group for painting only in Paper 2 is arranged must
be below the eye level of the candidates.
Drawing or Painting from Still Life
This is a test of direct observation and free drawing. Both themes as given in the question paper should be set by
the art teacher and the candidates should select the theme they want to attempt. Proper space and seating
arrangements must be provided to enable the candidates to draw and colour their desired option.
In the setting of the objects of the theme, care must be taken to ensure that each item is visible either fully or
partially to all candidates.
Care must be taken by the art teacher in selection of the objects. They should not be unnecessarily complicated in
shape or have complex patterns or labels over and above the basic requirements.
Drawing or Painting from Nature
Alternative A: Study of the structure of natural forms
It is desirable that each candidate be given a separate specimen and be permitted to handle and arrange it.
If the specimens named in the Instructions are not available, Supervising Examiners may, with the assistance of
the Art Teacher, substitute other specimens as similar as possible to those, which have been set. The name of the
specimen used must be stated on the back of the drawing in small block capitals.
Sprays, when these are set, must be reasonably large and full and in good condition; they should be displayed in
a vase or bottle and be clearly visible against a plain background. The container must not be drawn.
Alternative B: Drawing or painting outdoors
One subject will be set for painting or drawing outdoors. It can include a study of plants, creepers or climbers
growing against walls, pergolas, rockeries and other such features. Plants grown in pots and containers which can
be kept indoors can be set. There should be evidence to understand the general characteristic and growing habit
of the subject as it grows in its natural environment.

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Drawing or Painting of a Living Person
The Supervising Examiner should avail himself of the services of the Art Teacher for posing the model and for
re-posing after the model has been resting.
Five minutes will be allowed for the model to relax after each twenty minutes' posing. During these intervals
candidates may continue to work on their drawings. The Supervising Examiners may vary the length of the posing
periods and of the intervals at their discretion. The period of 2 or 3 hours includes the time during which the
model is resting.
Two models must be provided if Alternatives A and B are required by different candidates at the same session. If
more than one model is employed for either A or B, this should be stated on the answer envelope.
The model is to be posed in good light and shade. Candidates must be so placed that each has a good view of the
pose.
Original Imaginative Composition in Colour
Copies of the Paper are to be given to the candidates at least a week before the paper is taken in the examination
room and candidates should be instructed to bring their copies of the question paper with them at the time fixed
for this paper.
‘Crafts A’
At centres where the necessary arrangements can be made, candidates may cut and print from a block in the
examination room. Folded and cut-out paper may be used in making designs. Collage may be used.
Paper 6 (Craftwork)
The specimens of Craftwork should not be dispatched to CISCE. Pieces of pottery, sculpture or carving must not
exceed 1m in any dimension nor weigh more than 18 kg. Craftwork submitted for one examination must not be
submitted for a subsequent one. This paper is to be assessed by a Visiting Examiner appointed locally.

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