What difference between cbse and icse?

The English syllabus of the CBSE is better manageable than that of ICSE/ISC. While a
broad-based syllabus is generally perceived to be good (an issue that needs to be debated
in the current scenario of focused approach), it increases the load on students, thus
leading to stress. Though a student should be given the option of studying only the basic
languages of her choice English will help him/her to cope in today's world where it is
spoken a lot. Also in multi national and it companies as well as call centres a knowledge
of English is required.

1. The CBSE syllabus is presented in a more scientific manner. The entire syllabus
is divided into units and every unit is allotted the number of periods required to
cover it in the year and also the weight age of marks it will carry in the
examination. Thus, the teacher and student can plan the study of the various
segments of the syllabus accordingly.
2. If a student wants to pursue managment studies then ICSE/ISC syllabus is
better for him as the syllabus is more management-based than CBSE.
3. The examination pattern of entrance examinations (IIT-JEE & PMT) follows that
of CBSE since CBSE conducts these examinations. ICSE has no role in this.
This puts those ISC students who are interested in competitive examinations at a
disadvantage as they need to reorient themselves to a different system.
4. The ICSE syllabus (Class X) is very heavy compared to that of CBSE. ICSE has
two papers in English, whereas CBSE has only one. ICSE has three papers in
Science (Physics, Chemistry & Biology) whereas CBSE has only one. ICSE has
two papers in Social Studies (History & Geography) whereas CBSE has only one.
5. The fundamentals of a subject are taught better in ICSE/ISC syllabus as what
icse students learn in the 8th std are taught only in the 9th or even the 10th std in
cbse. What is taught from the 8th std in ICSE is repeated again in 9th and 10th,
only in more detail. This repetition in the same syllabus in 9th and 10th therefore
strengthening the fundamentals.
6. ICSE and ISC English syllabus is the most toughest as well as the best in the
country as it includes Shakespeare as well as two English papers. It is not
recommended for pupils with poor understanding of languages.
7. The science and computer paper in ICSE/ISC have practical assignment. The
physics, chemistry and biology papers have laboratory practicals which each carry
twenty marks as internals in the main paper while computers has an assignment
where pupils have to work out practical programs and obtain the output to receive
internals. Thus ICSE and ISC test student on practical knowledge also.
8. Environmental Education is compulsory at the ICSE & ISC examinations
whereas this is not so at the CBSE examination. CISCE, in accordance with the
recommendations of the New Education Policy 1986 (India), rushed into
implementing it into its syllabus, while CBSE is content to wait a review of this
ruling where the matter may be dropped/modified.
 9. From next year CBSE will give only grades in the examination results. This is
seen as a progressive move. ICSE has not made such an announcement yet as it
feels that by giving grades in the examination results in class X will not prepare
the child for the higher secondary exams(class XII).
10. It is a myth that ICSE is well recognized all over the world and not CBSE. Now
UCAS recognizes CBSE at par with ISC .
11. Indian School Certificate (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(ISC) qualification is the
only qualification from India that has been granted this special recognition.
Thus if the pupil wants to complete his studies outside india then ISC is the better

1. CBSE has in recent years been very proactive in devising new courses that are
academic with a vocational slant. It is more responsive to the needs of a dynamically
changing pedagogical scenario. The NCERT connection makes it a very pro-active
education board and not just an examining body.

1. The concept of "Front Line Curriculum" has been put in place in CBSE that
requires syllabi be done on an on-going basis and 10 per cent of irrelevant or
outdated material is replaced with more pertinent matter. CISCE has no
academically designed process or programme for syllabi revision/upgradation.
2. CBSE has well-networked state-and national-level sports (both indoor and
outdoor) activities. CISCE has a state and national level essay writing competition
and debate.
3. Examination schedule in CBSE is more student friendly than that in CISCE.
4. The current leadership in CISCE does not inspire confidence, unlike CBSE and
NCERT that has renowned educationists managing the affairs. CISCE's unspoken
but obvious policy of keeping out non-angloindians from key positions makes it
an insular body with poor prospects for the future. For example, its decision
making body, the Executive Committee, does not have a single non-angloindian
on it; the Chairman and the Secretary are both anglo-indians with little or no
credentials as educationists.