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School plays a crucial role in a child’s life as it provides them with a structured learning environment and numerous growth opportunities. It not only imparts academic knowledge but also fosters social skills, critical thinking, and personal development. Schools offer a platform for children to interact with peers, develop friendships, and learn valuable life lessons. While it is important to choose the right school, it is also necessary to pick the right Indian education board to offer the student the perfect platform for building a successful career. There are many national, international, and state-level boards in India catering to the varying requirements of children. With competition increasing every year, it is important to prepare meticulously for the board exams. oswal.io offers online exam preparation for three major national board exams in India including CBSE, ICSE, and ISC.

Table of Contents

An Introduction to Education Boards in India

All education boards have a different approach. The curriculum framework is different and so is the examination pattern and grading system. These boards of education in India ensure consistency and quality in education, provide guidelines for schools, and help shape the academic journey of millions of students in India. There are three national-level boards in India including the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), and the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). Additionally, most states have state boards. Further, there are two international boards incorporated into the Indian Education System including the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). Schools operating within a state are recognized either by State Education Boards, International Boards, or National-level Boards.

Why oswal.io?

With increasing competition, parents and students are not leaving any stone unturned to get the best results in exams. Right from enrolling in the best schools to using various reference books to enhance the understanding of the subjects and being exam-ready, students are willing to work hard for better outcomes. In such a landscape, oswal.io offers a meticulously crafted online exam preparation module to help students prepare across various subjects for the CBSE, ICSE, and ISC exams.

What are the Education Boards in India?

Here is a list of all education boards in India:

Name of the Boards	Name of the examination
CBSE	All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE) – Class 10
CBSE	All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE) – Class 12
CISCE	Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) – Class 10
CISCE	Indian School Certificate (ISC) – Class 12
NIOS	Secondary Exam – Class 10
NIOS	Senior Secondary Exam – Class 12
IB	Middle Years Programme (MYP for Class 10)
CAIE (or CIE)	International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) – Class 10
CAIE (or CIE)	Cambridge International AS and A Levels – Class 12
State Boards
Andhra Pradesh	Andhra Pradesh Board of Education (APBE)
Assam	Secondary Education Board of Assam (SEBA) Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC)
Bihar	Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB)
Chhattisgarh	Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE)
Goa	Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE)
Gujarat	Gujarat Secondary And Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB)
Haryana	Board of School Education Haryana (BSEH)
Himachal Pradesh	Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBoSE)
Jammu and Kashmir	Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education (JKBoSE)
Jharkhand	Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC)
Karnataka	Department of Primary and Secondary Education of Karnataka
Kerala	Kerala Board Of Public Examination
Madhya Pradesh	Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE)
Maharashtra	Maharashtra State Board Of Secondary And Higher Secondary Education
Manipur	Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM) Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (CoHSEM)
Meghalaya	Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE)
Mizoram	Mizoram Board of School Education (MBSE)
Nagaland	Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE)
Odisha	Board of Secondary Education, Odisha (BSE Odisha)
Punjab	Punjab School Education Board (PSEB)
Rajasthan	Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan (BSER)
Tamil Nadu	State Board Of School Examinations(Sec.) Board Of Higher Secondary Examinations, Tamil Nadu (SBSEBHSE)
Telangana	Board of Secondary Education, Telangana (BSE Telangana)
Tripura	Tripura Board Of Secondary Education (TBSE)
Uttarakhand	Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE)
Uttar Pradesh	Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP)
West Bengal	West Bengal Board Of Secondary Education West Bengal Council Of Higher Secondary Education

Here is a quick overview of the Top 3 education boards in India for Class 10 and Class 12 exams:

CBSE

ICSE

ISC

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is a prestigious national-level board of education in India that governs both public and private schools. It operates under the control and management of the Government of India. Currently, there are over 27,000 schools within India and 240 schools in 28 foreign countries that are affiliated with the CBSE making it the largest education board in India. These schools strictly adhere to the curriculum prescribed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), particularly from grades 9 to 12.

Features of the CBSE Board

Here are some distinct features of CBSE:

Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)

The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) is an examination administered by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations for Class 10 students. The ICSE is conducted in English and requires students to write exams in a choice of six, seven, or eight subjects. Out of these subjects, five are considered for the final grade, with English being compulsory, regardless of the marks obtained. The subjects are grouped into three categories:

Group I: English, Second Language, Geography, and History-Civics as mandatory subjects.
Group II: Choice of any two subjects from options like Science, Mathematics, Economics, Commercial Studies, and more.
Group III: Choice of any one subject from alternatives such as Home Science, Fashion Designing, Computer Applications, and so on.

Here are some distinct features of ICSE:

Features of the ICSE Board

Indian School Certificate (ISC)

The Indian School Certificate (ISC) is an examination administered by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations for Class 12 students. English is a compulsory subject. In addition, they have the option to choose three, four, or five elective subjects based on their preferences and interests. It is mandatory for candidates to have undergone internal evaluation by their respective schools and obtained a passing grade in the Socially Useful Productive Work and Community Service component.

Features of ISC Board

Here are some distinct features of ISC:

Oswal gives you the Competitive Edge

Here are the features and benefits offered by oswal.io making it the perfect choice for your exam preparation partnership:

A bank of 1 Lakh+ questions across 8 types of questions
Students can create a customized test based on the subject, chapter, question type, and difficulty level desired
Answers evaluated by subject matter experts
In-depth reports to help analyze your performance and create a study plan for improving your scores with oswal.io, you can get the edge over your peers, enhance your understanding of the subject and improve your CBSE, ICSE, or ISC exam board results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which Board, State, National, or International, should I choose to complete my schooling?

Ans: You need to consider a range of factors before choosing the Board. Think about your preferences and learning style. Also, compare the curriculum offered by different Boards and assess which one would be the best for you. Further, factor in future goals like International Education, technical degree in India, etc. to help finalize the Board.

Q2. Can I switch from a state board to CBSE or ICSE?

Ans: Yes, students can change Boards during their academic journey. However, they will have to talk to the respective school to understand the eligibility norms and processes.

Q3. Which is the easiest education board in India?

Ans: The difficulty level of the Board depends on the understanding and learning curve of the child. No Board is more difficult than any other.

Q4. Which board has better career prospects, CBSE or ICSE?

Ans: CBSE is focused more on subjects like Mathematics and Science making it a good option for students planning to pursue Engineering or Medical careers. On the other hand, ICSE is more focused on languages and humanities making it relevant for students with specific career plans. Also, the emphasis on English makes it easier for students to clear exams like IELTS, TOEFL, etc. for admission to foreign Universities.

Q5. How can oswal.io help my child?

Ans: oswal.io offers online exam preparation assistance to students. With a range of practice questions and test papers, students can prepare for their board exams in a structured manner.