About CISCE

Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) is a national level private board that serves quality education through practical approach. The curriculum has diverse course option to choose from. CISCE curriculum gives equal weights to science, arts and language subjects, however, there is greater emphasis on English literature. CISCE board is noted for vast and comprehensive syllabus, and focus on analytical skills in its curriculum. Over 2,300 schools in India and abroad are affiliated to the CISCE and the list is growing. It has presence in Dubai, Sarajah, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia outside India. The board is recognised as a 'Non-Governmental Board of School Education' by the Constitution of India.

Background:

In 1952, an All-India Certificate Examinations Conference was held under the Chairmanship of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, then Minister for Education with the main purpose of the replacement of the overseas Cambridge School Certificate Examination by an All-India Examination. After many changes in organization's structure over the years, the Council was listed in the Delhi School Education Act 1973, as a body conducting "public" examinations in 1973.

Mission of CISCE:

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations is committed to serve the nation's children, through high quality educational endeavors, empowering them to contribute towards a humane, just and pluralistic society, promoting introspective living, by creating exciting learning opportunities, with a commitment to excellence.

Important Notes:

  1. The Delhi Education Act, 1973, passed by Parliament recognises the Council as a body conducting Public Examinations
  2. CISCE conducts 10th (ICSE) & 12th board examinations (ISC & CVE).
  3. For ICSE, all candidates are required to enter for six or more subjects and Socially Useful Productive Work.
  4. For ISC, all candidates for the Pass Certificate must enter and sit for English (compulsory), with three, four or five elective subjects and must have been evaluated internally by the School and secured a pass grade in Socially Useful Productive Work and Community Service (compulsory).
  5. English Language is compulsory in all the examination. English speaking and listening skills are important part of the curriculum, and are internally assessed.
  6. There aren't any pre-defined streams. A wide array of courses is offered. Students are allowed to choose subjects of their choices. Courses offered in both core and application oriented subjects. Practical and projects are integral part of the assessments.
  7. Medium of examination is only English.
  8. SUPW is a compulsory subject in ICSE and ISC.
  9. Private candidates are not permitted to appear for the examination.

A comparative analysis of four major boards in India: CBSE vs. CISCE vs. IB vs. Cambridge - Your guide to help in choosing the right board

Examinations conducted by CISCE

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations conducts three examinations, namely, the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE - Class X); The Indian School Certificate (ISC - Class XII) and the Certificate in Vocational Education (CVE - Year 12). The subject choices and syllabuses prescribed for these examinations are varied and aimed at nurturing the unique gifts of individual pupils.

The ICSE (Class X):

The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education Examination has been designed to provide an examination in a course of general education, in accordance with the recommendations of the New Education Policy 1986, through the medium of English. The ICSE is a school examination and the standard of the examination pre-supposes a school course of ten years duration (Classes I-X). It ensures a general education without any diversification of studies as all candidates are required to enter and sit for six subjects and Socially Useful Productive Work.

Assessment:

All subjects have components of Internal Assessment, that are carried out by Schools, on the basis of assignments/project work, practical and course work. These marks are added to the component of the external examination set and marked by the Council. The Internal Assessment marks are submitted to the Council online by the Schools.

Regulation and syllabus -ICSE

The ISC (Class XII):

The Indian School Certificate Examination has been designed as an examination, through the medium of English, in accordance with the recommendations of the New Education Policy 1986, after a two-year course of studies beyond the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (Year-10) Examination or its equivalent.

All candidates must enter and sit for English (compulsory), with three, four or five elective subjects and must have been evaluated internally by the School and secured a pass grade in Socially Useful Productive Work and Community Service (compulsory).

Regulations and syllabus - ISC

The C.V.E (Year 12):

The Certificate of Vocational Education Examination (CVE - 12) has been created as an examination, in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) through the Joint Council of Vocational Education (JCVE) established under the National Policy of Education 1986. This examination can be taken by candidates after a two-year course of studies beyond the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (Year 10) examination or its equivalent, through the medium of English. The C.V.E. course is intended to prepare candidates for specific vocations.

Regulations - CVE

Syllabus -CVE

Courses offered by CISCE

The Council is actively involved in studying areas of concern in education in order to provide new insights, dispel myths and provoke new responses in order to deliver more effective teaching - learning provisions.

The ICSE & ISC divisions are also keenly involved in developing new syllabuses, curriculum frameworks and assessment systems to make education relevant, challenging and exciting.

ICSE Subjects:

Group 1 (Compulsory subjects)

  • English
  • A Second language OR A Modern Foreign Language
  • History, Civics & Geography

Group 2 (Any 2/3 subjects)

  • Commercial Studies
  • Economics
  • Mathematics
  • Environmental Science
  • Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
  • A Modern Foreign Language
  • A Classical Language

Group 3 (Any 1 subject)

  • Art
  • Commercial applications
  • Cookery
  • Computer Applications
  • Economic applications
  • Environmental Applications
  • Fashion Designing
  • Home Science
  • Hospitality Management
  • Mass media and communications
  • Modern Foreign Languages
  • Performing Arts
  • Physical Education
  • Technical drawing Applications
  • Yoga

SUPW and Community Service (compulsory graded subject)

ISC Subjects:

Students are allowed to choose any three/four/five out of the following with the sixth one, English being compulsory.

Compulsory Subject

  • English (801)
  • Socially Useful and Productive Work (SUPW)

Elective Subjects

  • Indian Languages
  • Modern Foreign Languages - Chinese (826), French (828), German (829), Tibetan (835), Spanish (836)
  • Classical Languages - Arabic (837), Sanskrit (838), Persian (839)
  • Elective English (850)
  • History (851)
  • Political Science (852)
  • Geography (853)
  • Sociology (854)
  • Psychology (855)
  • Economics (856)
  • Commerce (857)
  • Accounts (858)
  • Business Studies (859)
  • Mathematics (860)
  • Physics (861)
  • Chemistry (862)
  • Biology (863)
  • Home Science (864)
  • Fashion Designing (865)
  • Electricity and Electronics (866)
  • Engineering Science (867)
  • Computer Science (868)
  • Geometrical and Mechanical Drawing (869)
  • Geometrical and Building Drawing (870)
  • Art (871)
  • Indian Music - Hindustani (872)
  • Indian Music - Carnatic (873)
  • Western Music (874)
  • Physical Education (875)
  • Environmental Science (877)
  • Biotechnology (878)

CVE Subjects:

Compulsory subjects:

  • English: Paper 1 and Paper II
  • General Foundation Industrial Sociology & Entrepreneurship

Choice of subjects:

  • Mechanical Engineering Technician
  • Civil Engineering Technician
  • Telecommunication Engineering Technician
  • Computer Theory & System Analyst
  • Business Studies
  • Air Conditioning and refrigeration
  • Offset Printing Technician
  • Graphic Designing Technician
  • Physical Education
  • Creche & Pre-primary School Management
  • Hospitality Management
  • Exterior & Interior Design
  • Office Assistant

For more details, visit CISCE site



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