ISC 2026 Tamil Question Paper for Class 12

About this paper

This is the ISC Class 12 Tamil paper set by CISCE for the 2026 board examination. It carries 80 marks, runs for three hours plus fifteen minutes of reading time, and has 15 questions in two sections. Section A (Language, 40 marks) has a 400-word composition with topics such as climate change, whether AI will replace poets and India's diversity plus two story prompts, a comprehension passage on ancient Tamil sea trade and ports such as Kaveripoompattinam, Musiri and Korkai, and questions on usage and idioms. In Section B (Literature, 40 marks) students answer four ten-mark questions from any three of the four prescribed books: Podhu Tamil, Kadhai Kovai, Akilan's novel Sinekithi and Mu. Va.'s Yaan Kanda Ilangai. Sample questions below are translated from Tamil.

Exam

ISC Class 12

Subject

Tamil

Year

2026

Paper code

814

Maximum marks

80

Time allowed

3 hours + 15 min reading

Questions

15

Pages

12

Answers included

No, questions only

Paper pattern

• Section A (Language)

  40 marks

  Question 1: composition of about 400 words on one of six topics (15); Question 2: comprehension passage with short answers and multiple-choice parts; Question 3: do-as-directed usage questions and use of idioms

• Section B (Literature)

  40 marks

  Any four of Questions 4–15, ten marks each, from any three of the four prescribed books; each book has one extract-based question and two long answers

Topics covered

• Essay and story writing
• Reading comprehension
• Grammar and usage
• Idioms
• Podhu Tamil: Thirukkural and poetry
• Kadhai Kovai (short stories)
• Sinekithi (Akilan)
• Yaan Kanda Ilangai (Mu. Va.)

Questions from this paper

1. 'Artificial intelligence (AI) will soon work in place of poets.' Write an essay for or against this view.
2. Write any five ideas that Valluvar gives in the chapter 'Vinaithitpam' (firmness in action).
3. Collect and write the advice the poet Thara Bharathi gives to the youth lying idle in a corner.
4. Rewrite the story 'Man' as if it were narrated by Chinnathayi.
5. Collect and write the conversation between Durai and Lalitha at their first meeting.
6. Write a note on the food, dress, religion, ornaments and customs of the people of Sri Lanka.