The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) is a private board established in 1958 that conducts the ICSE examination for 10th grade and the Indian School Certificate (ISC) examination for 12th grade. It is governed by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). The CISCE oversees curriculum, examinations, affiliation of schools, and other activities. Schools must meet requirements regarding infrastructure, staff qualifications, academic hours, and more to be affiliated with the CISCE. The ICSE curriculum and examinations focus on developing well-rounded students through a balanced course of study including compulsory and optional subjects.

1. ICSE BOARD
Purnima Amit Chuttar
Assistant professor

2. The Indian Certificate of
Secondary Education

3. Introduction
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• The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) is an examination conducted by
the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations,
• It is a private board
• It designed to provide an examination in a course of general education, in
accordance with the recommendations of the New Education Policy
2020 (India), through the medium of English.

4. Replacement of the overseas Cambridge
School Certificate Examination by an all-India
examination.
This set the agenda for the establishment of the
council.

5. The Council conducts
The Indian Certificate of Secondary
Education Examination (ICSE – Class X),
The Indian School Certificate
Examination (ISC – Class XII)
and
The Certificate of Vocational Education
Examination (CVE- Class XII).

6. History
• The vision envisaged by Mr. Anthony paved the way in laying a strong foundation for English to emerge as a medium of
instruction in schools.
• Mr. Frank Anthony as the Founder Chairman pioneered the formation of the Council for the Indian School Certificate
Examinations.
• Mr. Anthony in his multifaceted role as an Educationist, Parliamentarian, Barrister-at-law, Orator and prominent leader of
the Anglo-Indian community championed the noble cause of education during the early days of Post-Independent India.
• Mr. Anthony’s dedication to the cause of education led to the formation of The Frank Anthony Public Schools in the cities
of Bangalore, Kolkata and Delhi

7. Organogram
• Dr. G. Immanuel
• 12th November 2014 till date
chairman
• Mr. Gerry Arathoon
• 27th April 2012 – 30th September
2023
Chief Executive
& Secretary

8. CISCE Offices
• Nehru Place, New Delhi
• Saket, New Delhi
• NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh
• Kolkata, West Bengal
• Hyderabad, Telangana

9. CISCE Footprint
• India
• Singapore
• Dubai
• Sharjah
• Indonesia
• Thailand

10. Mission
 Serving the nation’s children
 Ensuring high quality educational
endeavours,
 Empowering them to contribute
towards a humane, just and
pluralistic society,
 Promoting introspective living,
 Creating exciting learning
opportunities,
• Providing excellence in education

11. Achievement of salient landmarks,
 1958 The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations was established on 3rd November.
 1963 The nomenclature of the examination changed from Overseas Certificate Examination to Indian School
Certificate Examinations (ISCE) in November.
 1967 The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations registered as a Society under the Societies
Registration Act XXI of 1860 on 19th December.
 1970 The first Indian Certificate of Secondary Examination (ICSE Class X) was held in November/ December.
 1973 The Delhi Educational Act, 1973, passed by Parliament, recognized the CISCE as a body conducting public
examinations in Chapter I under Definitions, Section 2(s).

12.  1977 In keeping with the recommendations of the Kothari Commission of the 10 + 2 pattern of school education, the first Indian School
Certificate (ISC- Class XII) examination was conducted in March.
 1978 A minimum attendance requirement of 75% for XI and XII was stipulated.
 1993 Special arrangements were made to cater to students with special needs such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia and ADD
(Attention Deficit Disorder)
 1995 The bifurcation of the Syllabuses for ICSE Classes IX and X had begun.
 1996 The Certificate of Vocational Education (Year 12) was introduced.
 1999 The CISCE makes Mathematics and Science optional at the ICSE Level.
 1999 Internal Assessment in each subject with a weightage of 20% for the ICSE was introduced to enable a more participatory role of
teachers and students in the assessment process.

13.  2005 A skill-based practical subject introduced for compulsory study in the Group III subjects of the ICSE.
 2010 The Centralized Evaluation of answer scripts introduced.
 2013 The CISCE implemented the much-awaited Integrated Computerized System for the CISCE’s and Schools operations
using the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as a part of the modernization plan. The program was
christened as CAREERS (CISCE’s Affiliation Registration Examination and ERP Systems).
 2015 For the first time, the Results were published through the CISCE’s official website.
 2018 The CISCE introduced National Level Sports and Games in 24 Disciplines.
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14. Ethos
 Trust and fair play.
 Minimum monitoring.
 Allowing CISCE 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.
 CISCE schools to motivate pupils towards the cultivation of:
o Excellence – The Indian and Global experience.
o Values – Spiritual and cultural – to be the bed rock of the educational experience.
 CISCE schools to have an ‘Indian Ethos’, strong roots in the national psyche and be sensitive to national aspirations.

15. Functions
• Affiliation
• Curriculum design
• Examination
• Research
• Training for the transaction
• Activities for holistic growth
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16. The curriculum aims
To enable children to:
• Become successful learners who enjoy learning;
• Successfully apply core concepts learnt from various subjects;
• Understand texts of different subjects so as to communicate knowledge and ideas in ways specific to
the subject;
• Articulate thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written and nonverbal communication skills in a
variety of forms and contexts;
• Use technology to access and provide information and to communicate with others;
• Understand cross-curricular linkages- connect learning across subject areas;

17. • Become confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives;
• Become responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society;
• Understand and apply knowledge to real life experiences;
• Develop a sense of responsibility towards others;
• Function successfully in the local and world community;
• Respect diversity (in terms of religion, gender, regions, etc. and differences of opinions and beliefs);
• Exhibit sensitivity towards environmental issues; learn to manage and utilise resources judiciously

18. Medium of Instruction
• The medium of instruction in schools must be
English. Special importance must be given to English
(including oral and aural English, for which a high
standard is required to be maintained
School Year
• The beginning of the academic year in Schools
affiliated to the Council shall be from the middle of
March and the first week of June each year.
• However, the Hill schools may begin the academic
year from February each year.
Academic Hours
• Schools affiliated to the Council are required to put
in, during an academic year, hours of instruction as
follows:
• For Classes I to V: 900 hours (each class)
• For Classes VI to VIII: 1000 hours (each class)

19. Textbooks
• The Council does not prescribe textbooks for Preschool – Class
VIII.
• Schools, therefore, are free to choose the books, which they
find suitable for the purpose of competent teaching and
efficient learning.
• The Council reserves the right to declare a particular book or
books unsuitable for use in Schools affiliated to it.

20. Primary
• English • Hindi • Mathematics • Environmental Studies (I & II) • Science
(III - V) • Social Studies (III-V) • Computer Studies • Arts Education
Upper primary
• English • Hindi • Mathematics • History & Civics • Geography • Physics •
Chemistry • Biology • Computer Studies • Arts Education

21. Group I
(Compulsory)
Group II
(Compulsory)
Group III
(Any one of the
following subjects)
English Mathematics Computer Applications
Second Language – Hindi /
French
Science
(Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
Art
History, Civics and Geography *Environmental Science Physical Education
Technical Drawing Applications

22. There are 7 subjects in the examination, out of which 4
are compulsory subjects, and 3 have a choice of subjects.
• English
• Indian Languages
• Modern Foreign Languages Group I
• History and Civics
• Geography
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Economics
• Commercial Studies
• Modern Foreign Languages Group II
• Classical Language
• Environmental Science
• Computer Applications
• Economic Applications
• Commercial Applications
• Art
• Performing Arts
• Home Science
• Cookery
• Fashion Designing
• Physical Education
• Yoga
• Technical Drawing Applications
• Environmental Applications
• Modern Foreign Languages Group
III
• Mass Media and Communication
• Hospitality Management
• Beauty and Wellness (Skin and
Beauty)

23. Assessment
The purpose of assessment for learning is to:
• identify strengths, weaknesses /learning gaps and problems faced by children;
• provide timely, corrective teaching - learning inputs to children to ensure their better learning in the
future;
• monitor the progress of each child with reference to his/her previous performance so as to develop
every child to her/his full potential;
• improve/modify teaching learning practices and methods and use of materials by teachers based on
each child’s requirement and need;
• monitor children’s learning and performance and
• provide data on children’s learning to each child/ parents/ school.

24. Subject of Exam Percentage External Examination Marks Internal Assessment
GROUP I: (Compulsory)
English 80% 20%
A Second Language (One/two) 80% 20%
History, Civics and Geography 80% 20%

25. Subject of Exam Percentage External Examination Marks Internal Assessment
GROUP II: (Any three of the following subjects)
Mathematics 80% 20%
Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) 80% 20%
Economics 80% 20%
Commercial Studies 80% 20%
A Modern Foreign Language 80% 20%
A Classical Language 80% 20%
Environmental Science 80% 20%

26. Subject of Exam Percentage External Examination Marks Internal Assessment
GROUP III: (Any one of the following subjects)
Computer Applications 50% 50%
Economic Applications 50% 50%
Commercial Applications 50% 50%
Art 50% 50%
Performing Arts 50% 50%
Home Science 50% 50%
Cookery 50% 50%
Fashion Designing 50% 50%
Physical Education 50% 50%
Yoga 50% 50%
Technical Drawing Applications 50% 50%

27. Affiliation
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the State Government for affiliation of the
school to the CISCE.
• Registered Society/ Trust/Company registered under Section 25 (1) (a) of the
Companies Act, 1956.
• It must not be run for profit.
• The Society/ Trust/Company should have financial stability.
• scheme of studies must be in accordance with the scheme laid down by the
CISCE, for Secondary and Higher Secondary stages

28. • staff must be qualified and trained in accordance with the qualifications prescribed
by the CISCE.
• The school infrastructure should be adequate for accommodating the numbers
and gender of pupils attending the school.
• The number of working days and hours should conform to those prescribed by the
CISCE from time to time.
• The Certificate of Land is a mandatory document to be submitted electronically in
a prescribed format for Provisional Affiliation. The format of the Certificate of Land
can be downloaded from the link below and is required to be completed and
signed by the District Magistrate / Tehsildar / Sub Registrar or any other
registering authority.

29. References
• https://cisce.org/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Certif
icate_of_Secondary_Education
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30. Thank you
Purnima Chuttar
purnimachuttar2@gmail.com