Exploring choices and making right selection is the most difficult task for the present generation of parents, we have brought all the recognized boards together that govern Indian school education and encoded them just for you.       

In India, there is main five school governing bodies, namely State Boards, CBSE, ICSE, National Open School board and IB. Learn about each board and understand the right fit for your child and family.

State Boards 

There are 33 state boards in India currently. Each state adds up its local flavor to the syllabus offered by NCERT. The state government lays stress on the state language.

• Curriculum design by state’s  Department of Education. 
• Affiliation & accreditation takes place once only.
• The syllabus is relatively simple and easy.
• Admission age criteria may differ from state to state.
• Board exams are conducted in Class 10 and Class 12. Some states also conduct a Board Exam in Class 8.
• As per the new rule, many states have adopted the common curriculum based on NCERT guidelines for Math and Science for class 11 and class 12, yet the states create their own study material rather than prescribing NCERT textbooks. The common curriculum is helpful in the medical as well as engineering entrance exams after Class 12.

Parent Tips: Choose state board, if:

§ Stable job/business within the state

§ Want indepth information of local relevance

§ Recognized all over India

§ Each state has it’s own variance thus, moving to another state or national boards – CBSE or ICSE becomes difficult to catch

§  Cost of Education is slightly lower

§  Age criteria for enrollment also varies from state to state

Central Boards of Secondary Examination (CBSE)

After many developments, the present form of CBSE came into existence in the year 1962, in view of operating a chain of school that could cater to central government employees with transferable jobs in India. With just 309 schools in 1962, today there are 16000(approx) affiliated to CBSE, including 197 schools in 23 countries. The liaison with the schools, day-to-day activities, post and pre-examinations are all dealt with ten regional offices respectively.

• CBSE is a national board of education thus schools affiliated to it are found in both government and private schools.
• Has it’s committee for curriculum and syllabus, but mainly uses NCERT for resources.
• Affiliation & accreditation takes place once only.
• The number of CBSE affiliated schools fall under the following categories:

a.       Kendriya Vidyalayas-1078

b.      Government Aided Schools-2482

c.       Independent Schools-11443

d.      Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas-585

e.       Central Tibetian Schools-14

• The school level national talent search exams and scholarship exams base their exam content on CBSE syllabus, such as ASSET, SSTSE, NSEC, NSEB etc.
• The syllabus is structured and almost all entrance exams are conducted as per this syllabus.
• The curriculum stresses more on the medical and engineering fields.
• The board exams are conducted at two stages: Class 10, which is optional(subject to change), and Class 12, Mandatory.
• To bring in ‘Learning Without Burden’ CBSE has brought a new system of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation(CCE) implemented from classes 6 to 10 towards easing out single exam pressure. Formative and summative assessment pattern with more flexibility to schools to plan their academic schedule in conducting these exams as per CCE guidelines.

Parent Tips: Choose CBSE board, if:

§  You have a transferable job, moving from state to state or in tier 2 towns and cities within the country.

§  Central government employees on the constant move then opt for CBSE affiliated schools for a uniform pattern of academic schedules and exams.

§ Recognized all over India

§ Focus on Science and Maths

§ Engineering and Medical Entrance Exams are focusing on common entrance exams pattern based on CBSE Syllabus.

§  Easy to find additional help, guidance and tutors in all the parts of India

§ New System of CCE has made CBSE affiliated schools flexible in identifying learning difficulties in child and providing remedial measures.

§  Through CCE there are ample opportunities to improve in scholastic and non-scholastic areas and improve his/her creativity in area of interest.

§  Ample choice of private schools nowadays, with good infrastructure and facilities.

Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

It is an extension of Cambridge IGCSE, which existed during the British regime which is now governed by the ‘Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations’. It is an all India but not a government sponsored board like CBSE. Council does not accept private candidates, also they must be from English medium, CISE affiliated school.

• The curriculum is balanced and flexible.
• No set syllabus is provided by CISCE, there are only guidelines provided to acquire and refining skills.
• School is free to use their own textbooks or study material.
• There is continuous accreditation process in the schools.
• A lot of optional subjects are provided from which a student can choose as per his/her interest. All subjects are given equal importance, be it languages, arts or science.
• Board exams are conducted in:

a.  Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) is a board examination for Class 10 students. It is awarded to all the candidates who have passed n K10 exam.

b.      The Indian School Certificate (ISC) is a Class 12 public board exam for students completing K12.

c.       Certificate of Vocational Examination (CVE)

Parent Tips: Choose  CISCE board, if:

§ More comprehensive and complete, with equal focus on all the subjects.

§ Due to focus on language and literature proficiency thus, suitable for appearing for international exams for studying abroad exams like, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS etc.

§  Recognized in all over India

§ ISC – class 12 is recognized by UK universities, applicants to these universities no longer required take ‘A’ level qualification or bridging courses for entry to UK’s universities or other overseas commonwealth universities.

National Institute of Open Schooling Board (NIOS)

This board caters to the educational needs of children who are unable to attend regular school because of physical, mental, economical conditions. This is an open learning and distance learning institution and popular among homeschoolers because it offers the flexibility of admission and choice of subjects.

• It is an examining and certifying authority, recognized all over India.
• It gives freedom to choose subjects and convenience of online registration.
• The courses offered are:

a Elementary Level Courses- Open Basic Education Programme (OBE)

b Secondary – equivalent to Class 10^th 

c Senior Secondary- equivalent to Class 12^th

     d Vocational Education

Parent Tips: Choose  NIOS board, if:

§  It is most suitable for physically handicapped, children with mental illness, learning disorders or other psychiatric conditions, sports persons etc.

§ It also caters to the rural population in an inexpensive manner.

§ Anyone can appear for its board examination

§ It is becoming popular with urban parents who are doubling up as a teacher of their own kids.

International Boards

International Baccalaureate Program (IB) / Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), Pearson Edexcel etc.

More than 95% of the IB offer dual curriculum (international board and CBSE or CISCE. This board caters to the needs of international schools which follow curriculum different from their country of residence. There are more than 400 international schools in India.

• IBO & other international board provides the comprehensive and flexible curriculum.
• Even though these schools follow separate curriculum, board and examination systems, still they adhere to certain requirements of the Indian national system.
• The curriculum is based on the all round development of the child and is accepted throughout the world.
• International boards are more practical and application based.
• The pedagogical methodology requires the students to think critically, conceptually and develop research and analytical skills.
• These programs are recognized worldwide, so more suitable for students aspiring to study abroad for higher education.

 Parent Tips: Choose IB board, if:

It is suitable for children of International Personnel, Expats or Indians who want their children to go abroad for higher education.

§ International boards curriculum is more challenging than CBSE and CISCE in quality of assignments than the amount of work.

§  International boards affiliated schools are the most expensive

§  The students are an advantage when taking the analytical test like CAT, SAT, GRE etc.

§ With cut-offs in India inching higher and higher each year, many students go to study abroad, thus, parents enroll their child in the international board earlier.

With so many choices available for parents, it is best to know about each board and match it with your family need. It is very important to ponder over your child’s interests and abilities too.

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