Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination also known as CISCE is a non-governmental board of school education in India. It is an all-India board and based in New Delhi. In 1952, an All India Certificate Examination Conference was held under the Chairmanship of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Minister for Education. The main purpose of the conference was to consider the replacement of the overseas Cambridge school Certificate Examination by an All India Examination. This set the agenda for the establishment of the Council.
In October 1956 at the meeting of the Inter-State Board for Anglo–Indian Education, a proposal was adopted for the setting up of an Indian Council to administer the University of Cambridge, Local Examinations Syndicate’s Examination in India and, to advise the Syndicate on the best way to adapt its examination to the needs of the country. The inaugural meeting of the Council was held on 3rd November 1958.
In December 1967, the Council was registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. In 1973, the Council was listed in the Delhi School Education Act 1973, as a body conducting “public” examinations.
Board Pattern
It conducts two examinations in India: the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and the Indian School Certificate (ISC)
- ICSE: The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education Examination is a K-10 public board examination for students in India who have just completed Class X (equivalent to the first two years of the 4 year High School programme. Seven subjects are to be taken by the candidates, of which four are compulsory and three have a choice of subjects.
- ISC: The Indian School Certificate Examination is a K-12 public board examination for those completing Class XII (equivalent to the end of the 4 year High School programme). Candidates must have English and Environmental Education as two of their subjects and then may choose either three, four or five more subjects to give exams for.
The CISCE does not accept private candidates, and they must come only through the (English medium) schools affiliated to the CISCE. The medium of examination is English, except the Indian language paper. At the end of the examination, marks out of 100 are provided in each subject and a separate pass certificate is given containing the equivalent grades (like almost all other Indian educational boards). Note that apart from the CBSE and CISCE, all states in India also have their own state boards for High School education.
Board Divisions
- ICSE: The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) Examination is a K-10 public board examination for students in India who have just completed Class X (equivalent to the first two years of the 4 year High School programme. Seven subjects are to be taken by the candidates, of which four are compulsory and three have a choice of subjects.
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.
- ISC: 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. Indian School Certificate Examination(Class XII) is treated as equivalent to Senior Examination of the University of Scotland. This implies that pupils will no longer be required to obtain ‘A’ level qualifications or complete bridging courses while seeking entry to Universities in the UK and other overseas Universities in the Commonwealth. Indian School Certificate qualification is the only qualification from India that has been granted this special recognition.
- CVE-12: The Certificate of Vocational Education has been created as an examination, in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Human Resource Development through the Joint Council of Vocational Education (JCVE) established under the National Policy of Education 1986. Candidates can take this examination 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. This certificate is intended to prepare candidates for particular occupations. Private candidates are not permitted to appear for these examinations.
Subjects Offer by the Board
Compulsory Subjects
- English: Paper I and Paper II
- General Foundation Industrial Sociology & Entrepreneurship
Optional Subjects
- Mechanical Engineering Technician, Civil Engineering Technician, Telecommunication Engineering Technician, Computer Theory & System Analyst, Business Studies, Air Conditioning and refrigeration, Offset Printing Technician, Graphics Designing Technician, Physical Education, Crèche & Pre-primary School Management, Hospitality Management, Exterior & Interior Design, Office Assistant.
RDCD
The Research, Development and Consultancy Division of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) was established in June 1993 to augment the educational efforts of the Council. The RDCD was established by CISCE in order to move beyond the functions of conducting examinations and onto wider concerns of education and development. Since its inception, the RDCD has been striving to fulfil this objective of the CISCE.
The Council through its Research, Development and Consultancy Division (RDCD) 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 RDCD is also keenly involved in developing new syllabuses, curriculum frameworks and assessment systems to make education relevant, challenging and exciting.
Board Results
The ICSE and ISC results for classes X and XII are declared every year in the third week of May.
Objectives / Mission of The Board
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations is committed to serving the nation’s children, therefore it's Objectives / Mission are:
- High-quality educational endeavours
- Empowering students to contribute towards a humane
- Forming a Just and pluralistic society
- Promoting introspective living
- Creating exciting learning opportunities, with a commitment to excellence
National Awards
- The Derozio Awards: In order to promote the best educational practices in school education, the Council has instituted the annual “The Derozio Awards for Education and Human Enrichment” to celebrate and commemorate the life of H.L.V. Derozio – a great advocate of educational reform, so that his life may inspire a new generation of education to emulate his life and work, in the service of the nation.
- National Awards for Teachers of Council: Every year the Government of India gives public recognition to meritorious services of outstanding teachers through the scheme of National Awards. From the year 2000 the Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India has allotted five such awards to teachers of schools affiliated to Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi.
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