Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations or CISCE was established in 1958 by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate with the assistance of the Inter-State Board for Anglo-Indian Education. CISCE is a recognised body conducting public examinations in India and conducts the ICSE, ISC and Certificate of Vocational Education examinations. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Even though CISCE is not a government board, ICSE and ISC examinations are conducted through schools affiliated with CISCE and are followed by schools across India and in some other countries.

• CISCE conducts two major board examinations in India:

1) The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education or ICSE board examination for Class X students, and

2) The Indian School Certificate or ISC board examination for Class XII students.

• ICSE

The ICSE board examinations are conducted for Class 10 students. The ICSE examination is designed to provide a course of general education through the medium of English and is conducted in accordance with the recommendations of the National Education Policy. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

ICSE examination does not permit private candidates to appear for the examination. Candidates must be entered through schools affiliated with CISCE. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Find ICSE guide here including ICSE syllabus and date sheet of ICSE board exam 2026!

According to the ICSE exam pattern, candidates are required to enter for six or more subjects along with Socially Useful Productive Work. The subjects include compulsory subjects and subjects selected from the prescribed groups. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

The pass mark for each subject is 33% of the total marks of the examination. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

• ISC

The ISC board examinations are conducted for Class 12 students. Students are eligible for the ISC examination through CISCE-affiliated schools after completing the required school course. Private candidates are not permitted to appear for the ISC examination.

Students can choose from a wide range of subjects according to the subjects offered by their school and the CISCE regulations. These include subjects across science, commerce, humanities, languages, arts, computer science, fashion designing, physical education and other areas.

ISC exam results are accepted by universities and educational institutions in India and abroad, subject to their respective admission requirements.

Find ISC guide here including ISC syllabus and date sheet of ISC board exam 2026!

According to the ISC exam pattern, candidates for the Pass Certificate must enter and sit for English along with three, four or five elective subjects. Candidates must attain the pass standard in at least five subjects including English and must also attain a pass grade in Socially Useful Productive Work and Community Service as assessed internally by the school. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}