PECTAA Announced Smart Syllabus for 11th Class Students Prioritizing Core Learning for 2026 Exams

PECTAA Announced Smart Syllabus for 11th Class Students Prioritizing Core Learning for 2026 Exams

The Punjab Education, Curriculum, Training and Assessment Authority (PECTAA) has officially notified the Smart Syllabus for Grade 11 (First Year) for the academic sessions 2025-27 . The announcement, made official through Notification No. PECTAA/C&C Unit/2025/399 dated November 19, 2025 , outlines a rationalized curriculum designed under the Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) for the Annual Examination 2026.

The newly introduced scheme includes a clearly defined list of deleted topics and exercise questions, subject-specific pairing schemes, and model papers. This initiative is set to impact hundreds of thousands of students across all boards in Punjab, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, and others, providing a more focused and manageable academic pathway. Also view Matric 2nd Annual Result 2025.

A Strategic Shift Towards Focused Learning

The core objective of the Smart Syllabus is to streamline the curriculum, allowing students and teachers to concentrate on essential Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) without the pressure of covering an overwhelmingly vast syllabus. This approach ensures that foundational concepts are strengthened, paving the way for more effective learning and better examination preparation.

The notification, issued by the Director of Curriculum & Compliance, states that the decision was made in pursuance of the PECTAA Act-2025 and was approved by the Authority's Academics Committee in its 8th meeting held on November 18, 2025.

Subject-Wise Breakdown of the Smart Syllabus

The directive provides comprehensive details for each core subject, specifying which portions have been excluded to reduce the student burden.

1. English (Compulsory)

For English, four out of fourteen units have been completely excluded from the compulsory textbook. These are:

• Unit 4: "Team Moon"

• Unit 7: "What You Do is What You Are"

• Unit 9: "Freedom (Poem)"

• Unit 12: "The Impact of AI on Society, Human Relationships, and Ethics"

The examination paper will be divided into an objective part (20 marks) and a subjective part (80 marks). The paper setters have been strictly instructed not to include any questions from the deleted units.

2. Mathematics

The Mathematics syllabus has seen significant rationalization. Key exclusions include:

• The entire unit on Mathematical Induction and Binomial Theorem has been deleted.

• Specific sections from units like Complex Numbers (Polar Form), Matrices (Echelon forms, system of linear equations), Sequences and Series (Arithmetico-Geometric Progression), and others have been removed.

• The paper pattern involves 20 MCQs and subjective questions divided into short and long formats, with students required to attempt a selection of questions from a broader set.

3. Physics

The Physics curriculum has been carefully trimmed to retain core concepts while removing more advanced or niche topics. Deleted areas include:

• Elastic and Inelastic collisions in two dimensions, Rocket Propulsion (Force and Motion).

• Applications of Centripetal Force, Flywheel, Gyroscope (Circular Motion).

• Specific topics in Thermodynamics, Waves, Electrostatics, and the Special Theory of Relativity.
  The exam will be of 85 marks, with a detailed pairing scheme provided for paper setters.

4. Biology

In Biology, the changes are substantial, with an entire chapter on Structural and Computational Biology being removed. Other major deletions include:

• Large portions of Biodiversity and Classification (Taxonomic Hierarchy, Vertebrate classification, Viruses, Biodiversity).

• Topics in Molecular Biology, Enzymes, Bioenergetics (Photorespiration), and specific human physiological systems.
  The aim is to focus on the fundamental principles of biology and human biology that are crucial for higher studies.

5. Chemistry

The Chemistry syllabus has been refined by excluding topics that are often considered challenging or peripheral for the first-year level. Notable deletions encompass:

• Specific sections in Atomic Structure (Atomic Spectra, Electronic configuration of ions).

• Detailed topics in Chemical Bonding, Chemical Energetics (Entropy, Free Energy), and Reaction Kinetics .

• The full chapters on Basic Separation Techniques and Lab Safety and Practical Skills have been excluded.

• Significant portions of Electrochemistry (Nernst Equation, electrolysis calculations) and Acid-Base Chemistry are also removed.

6. Computer Science & Entrepreneurship

This subject has also been streamlined, with deletions in units like Software Development (Graphical Representation), Python Programming (OOP, Advanced Concepts), and Emerging Technologies (Blockchain).

Clear Instructions for Paper Setters and Teachers

PECTAA has issued stringent instructions to all Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) paper setters, mandating that question papers for the 2026 annual examinations must strictly adhere to the Smart Syllabus. No questions, whether objective or subjective, are to be included from the deleted portions of the textbooks. Teachers across the province are advised to align their teaching strategies with this revised syllabus to ensure optimal student outcomes.

Model Papers for Exam Preparation

To aid in the transition, PECTAA has also released model papers for all subjects, reflecting the new pairing schemes and the scope of the rationalized syllabus. These papers will serve as a crucial guide for students to understand the revised format and marking distribution of their final examinations.

A Welcome Step for the Academic Community

This initiative by PECTAA is widely seen as a pragmatic response to the challenges faced by students in the wake of global educational disruptions. By focusing on core concepts, it reduces cognitive load and aims to improve overall academic performance. The move is expected to allow for deeper engagement with essential topics, fostering a more robust conceptual understanding among students.

The notification and the complete details of the Smart Syllabus, including deleted topics, pairing schemes, and model papers, have been uploaded to the official PECTAA website for easy access by all stakeholders, including students, parents, and educators.