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Komal
27 August, 2025
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“ICSE or CBSE, which board is better for our child to study?”. This is one of the most common doubts that parents often have. While ICSE is known for its high standards and focus on English-based education, CBSE is known to maintain its high standards as per the government of India. Primarily, the CBSE board is more popular due to its broader network across the nation and its affordable fee structure.
However, the ultimate goal of both boards is to provide quality and standard education to the next generation of the nation. With this blog, we shall discuss the key differences between the ICSE and CBSE boards. Learn about their curriculum, pedagogy, fee structure, grading system, and so much more. Let’s get started.
ICSE stands for Indian Certificate of Secondary Education. It is known to be one of the premier boards of secondary education in India. CISCE or Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, oversees and administers the ICSE’s functioning and regulations. This council is a non-government education board that organises the year-end examinations for Class 10th. From the 10th standard onwards, ICSE converts to ISC — Indian School Certificate. It conducts exams for the 12th standard.
CBSE Board’s full form is Central Board of Secondary Education. This is the primary and one of the most preferred boards in India for 10th and 12th standard education. CBSE board exams are considered national-level exams, conducted across India on the same schedule. Moreover, CBSE is approved by the National Council of Education and Research Training (NCERT). Additionally, the board organises two sets of exams. One is the AISSE (All India Secondary School Examination), and the other includes the AISSCE (All India Senior School Certificate Examination).
Check out the primary differences between ICSE and CBSE boards. Here are the most crucial characteristics of secondary education in India:
CBSE’s curriculum and syllabus are known for their comprehensive structure. NCERT develops a well-rounded syllabus. Its syllabus is considered more detailed and controlled compared to the ICSE board. The primary focus is given to subjects like science and mathematics that help you prepare for competitive engineering exams.
On the other hand, the ICSE Board’s syllabus concentrates more on English and analytical skills. As compared to CBSE, ICSE’s curriculum aligns with the educational standards abroad. Due to a more in-depth and broader curriculum, ICSE’s syllabus is considered tougher than the CBSE board.
Not only the curriculum, but the teaching style of both the boards significantly varies. The ICSE board focuses on practical-based learning. It ensures an applied learning strategy through various assessments. It concentrates more on project work and assignments. In this board, you shall receive 20% marks for project work as part of internal assessments.
Meanwhile, CBSE ensures building a strong foundation for learners that helps them in future. Its strong focus on basic to advanced education helps you prepare for tough exams like NEET and JEE. Its structured syllabus is easy to understand and adaptable for learners with a basic understanding of concepts.
ICSE has a network of nearly 2,300 schools across India. Operated by the private board of CISCE, they are mostly privately owned schools. With presence across the nation, you would find the majority of ICSE schools in the urban areas, where an English-based curriculum is highly in demand.
CBSE is better known to have a larger network of around 27,000 schools across India. It covers all Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kendriya Vidyalayas, and many other private schools in India. This wide affiliated network of CBSE makes this board the most preferred choice for students. Moreover, you could also find CBSE’s presence in rural areas, including urban locations.
The ICSE board places more emphasis on the English language. Moreover, it helps you sharpen your language skills through its focus on teaching literature. All of it contributes to your personality development and makes you stand out with etiquette.
CBSE, on the other hand, has no such specific language-based approach. In India, there is a variety of languages spoken across states and cities. Based on this, CBSE follows a blended medium of instruction. While CBSE also emphasises the English language, it allows mentors to teach in any way possible, so that students can grasp the concepts easily. Especially those who belong to different cultural lands.
At ICSE, 20% marks are provided based on the internal assessments. 80% weightage is given to external assessments. Both contribute to the result by the end of the year, out of a 100 mark scheme.
At CBSE, each year is considered to have two terms. The total marks shall be awarded out of 100. Each term contributes 50% of the total marks. This involves 40 marks in theory and 10 marks based on internal assessments, making a total of 50. Furthermore, you would need to secure at least 33% marks out of 100 in every subject to qualify for the exam.
Since the ICSE board focuses more on analytical thinking and the English language, the board is a better choice for students seeking their future abroad. The vast English literature-based curricula help you in cracking exams like IELTS or TOEFL for higher studies in foreign countries.
Besides, CBSE focuses on building your foundational knowledge with a focus on science and mathematics. It provides you with a competitive edge in the tough-nut-to-crack exams, such as IIT JEE, IIT Advanced, NEET, and many more civil services exams.
The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, popularly known as the ICSE board, does not offer any sort of scholarships to its students. However, the CBSE Board caters to multiple grants and scholarships based on talent search exams.
At ICSE boards, you can’t enrol in 10th or 12th standards unless you have completed your previous studies from the same board. CBSE Board does not have such rules. You could take admissions at CBSE, whether you are from an ICSE or a state board.
ICSE boards across the country are mostly privately operated. They have their own fee structure that includes the expenses for extracurriculars as well. Studying in the ICSE boards requires you to pay higher fees from primary to secondary levels. It is often considered higher as compared to CBSE boards. CBSE follows an average fee structure for secondary education, which can suit the budgets of students’ guardians with average household incomes across India.
ICSE board exams for the 10th standard and ISC exams for the 12th standard are known for their rigorous pattern. Apart from the understanding of concepts, you need clarity in your thoughts to solve the questions. ICSE exams focus on detailed solutions, presentation skills, and language proficiency in the answers.
Whereas CBSE focuses on standardised and straightforward exam patterns. The questions are generally direct that testing your ability to apply various concepts. Every year, CBSE conducts two major exams. All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE) for 10th standard and All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE) for 12th standard. The major changes you may expect are in the grading system of both boards. Keep reading to explore.
The ICSE education board evaluates your grades based on your marks obtained in the examination. It provides a remark based on your score. Here is a quick overview of the ICSE grading system:
| Grade | Remarks |
|---|---|
| 1 & 2 | Very Good |
| 3, 4, & 5 | Pass with Credit |
| 6 & 7 | Pass |
| 8 & 9 | Fail |
CBSE follows a 10-point scale grading pattern. It awards you the grades based on the marks you obtained out of 100. Take a look at the detailed breakdown of the CBSE grading system:
| Grade | Grade Points | Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 10 | 91 – 100 |
| A2 | 9 | 81 – 90 |
| B1 | 8 | 71 – 80 |
| B2 | 7 | 61 – 70 |
| C1 | 6 | 51 – 60 |
| C2 | 5 | 41 – 50 |
| D | 4 | 33 – 40 |
| E1 & E2 | 0 | 21 – 32 |
Exploring the comparison between ICSE & CBSE might have cleared the picture now. Both boards follow different curricula and grading systems, and their focus areas also vary. However, whether it is ICSE or CBSE, both ensure quality education for students across India. The choice of the best one depends on your requirements.
Whether it is ICSE or CBSE, both cater to quality education. Aligns with the standard education for higher secondary and senior secondary in India. The ICSE board focuses on an applied learning approach. Therefore, the curriculum is a bit tough. It contributes to students’ personality traits. CBSE’s approach is more science and mathematics-oriented. It is ideal for students who want to prepare for engineering and civil services exams in future. Choose the one that aligns with your requirements as a parent or as a student.
The ICSE board involves a rigorous academic curriculum that may sometimes lead to mental pressure. Moreover, ICSE boards are also known for their high fees, which could be a significant disadvantage for many people with average household incomes.
Both boards aim to provide quality education. You should choose the one that aligns with your goals for your child. For example, if you want your child to pursue higher studies abroad, consider ICSE for its English-based curriculum. Opt for CBSE if your child is interested in engineering or technology-based courses.
The ICSE board is considered tougher than the CBSE and state boards in India. It follows a detailed application-based curriculum, which requires project work for applied learning. This is one of the reasons why the ICSE syllabus seems tough to crack.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is considered better for UPSC exams as compared to ICSE. CBSE’s pattern is designed by NCERT, which aligns more closely with the UPSC curriculum.
Yes, ICSE demands more fees than the CBSE board. It is comparatively expensive for families with average household incomes and expenses.
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