What is the difference between CBSE board and ICSE board? Which board should I study from?

CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) are the major school boards in India. Both the boards have their own distinct features and impact on the future of students. Let us understand the main differences between these two boards and their pros and cons.

CBSE Board (Central Board of Secondary Education)

Features:

It comes under the Government of India.

The curriculum is prescribed by NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training).

More emphasis is given to subjects like maths and science.

Suitable for competitive exams like JEE, NEET.

Number of schools is more all over India.

Advantages:

Ideal for preparing for competitive exams.

Simple and standard syllabus.

More convenient for transfer as CBSE schools are found everywhere.

Disadvantages:

Less emphasis is given to creative and literary subjects.

ICSE Board (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education)

Features:

It is governed by CISCE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations).

The curriculum is more detailed and balanced.

Equal attention is given to subjects like language, arts, social sciences along with science, mathematics.

Promotes creative and analytical skills of students.

Advantages:

Builds a strong hold on English, useful for studying abroad.

Encourages holistic development and practical education.

Better preparation for literary and professional fields.

Disadvantages:

The curriculum can be more detailed and challenging.

The number of schools is less.

Which board should you study from?

CBSE: If your goal is engineering, medical or government exams.

ICSE: If you want to study abroad or want holistic education.

Personal opinion: If there are good schools of both boards in your area, then decide according to the child’s interest and career plan. ICSE is good for intellectual development while CBSE is more suitable for competitive exams.