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CBSE

CBSE Logo

Central Board of Secondary Education

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is one of India’s most prominent and widely recognized school education boards. Established by the Government of India, CBSE offers a national curriculum that is followed by more than 27,000 schools in India and abroad. It is renowned for its rigorous academic standards, structured syllabus, and comprehensive examination system.

The CBSE curriculum is designed to promote analytical thinking, practical application, and conceptual clarity, rather than rote learning. It emphasizes core competencies in Math, Science, Languages, and Social Studies, and integrates 21st-century skills like collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy.

The curriculum is divided into three main levels:

  • Primary (Grades 1–5): Focuses on foundational literacy and numeracy skills, environmental awareness, and holistic development.
  • Middle (Grades 6–8): Builds upon foundational skills with deeper engagement in Science, Math, Social Studies, and Languages.
  • Secondary and Senior Secondary (Grades 9–12): Students begin to specialize in streams—Science, Commerce, or Humanities—based on their interests and career aspirations.

CBSE mandates a Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system in lower grades to ensure holistic assessment of cognitive, emotional, and psychomotor domains. In higher grades, assessments become more structured and academically challenging, with term-end and board exams.

CBSE textbooks are developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and are known for their simplicity, clarity, and standardization. These textbooks are used widely across Indian schools and many abroad.

In recent reforms, CBSE has introduced:

  • Competency-based education
  • Skill development subjects like Artificial Intelligence, Yoga, Financial Literacy
  • Assessment reforms with application-based and case-study questions
  • Integration of art, sports, and vocational learning across subjects
  • Hybrid and digital learning tools

CBSE encourages project work, experiential learning, and use of technology in teaching. Schools affiliated with CBSE receive regular training and support through the Centre of Excellence (CoE) hubs.

The curriculum includes major subjects such as:

  • English (Language & Literature or Core)
  • Hindi or regional/foreign languages
  • Mathematics (Standard or Applied)
  • Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
  • Social Science (History, Geography, Civics, Economics)
  • Information Technology
  • Physical Education and Wellness

For Grades 11 and 12, students can opt for elective subjects in:

  • Engineering and Medical preparation
  • Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, Entrepreneurship
  • Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Fine Arts, Home Science

The CBSE curriculum is known for preparing students for competitive exams like JEE, NEET, CUET, NDA, and other entrance exams due to its structured and concise content.

CBSE schools follow a uniform academic calendar, usually from April to March, with periodic assessments, half-yearly exams, and final year board exams for Grades 10 and 12.

The CBSE Board conducts two major national board examinations:

  • AISSE: All India Secondary School Examination (Grade 10)
  • AISSCE: All India Senior School Certificate Examination (Grade 12)

CBSE ensures inclusive education by offering accommodations for children with special needs, promoting gender equity, and aligning its pedagogy with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

CBSE is also internationally relevant with schools affiliated in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, and North America, ensuring Indian expatriate children have access to quality Indian education abroad.

In conclusion, the CBSE curriculum is a dynamic, student-friendly, and progressive education framework that balances academic excellence with life skills, moral education, and global relevance.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was officially established in 1929 by a resolution of the Government of India. Originally known as the Board of High School and Intermediate Education, it was set up to serve the purpose of standardizing school education across India.

In 1952, it was reconstituted as the Central Board of Secondary Education with a mandate to serve educational institutions across India and abroad. The goal was to ensure inter-state educational uniformity, especially for children of central government employees who frequently moved across the country.

Over the decades, CBSE has transformed into one of India’s most trusted academic boards, catering to the educational needs of students from Grade 1 to Grade 12.

Significant milestones include:

  • Introduction of All India Secondary and Senior School Examinations
  • Affiliation of Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas
  • Integration of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE)
  • Reforms post NEP 2020 with competency-based education
  • Launch of digital platforms like DIKSHA, Pariksha Sangam, and CBSE Academic Portal

CBSE has consistently aligned itself with changing educational needs, industry demands, and global standards. It has fostered a network of over 27,000 schools including 200+ international schools.

Its legacy spans nearly a century, rooted in the vision of a united, progressive, and quality-driven national education system.

CBSE schools must undergo a rigorous affiliation process overseen by the CBSE headquarters in Delhi. Schools seeking affiliation must meet criteria related to:

  • Infrastructure and safety standards
  • Qualified faculty and trained staff
  • Curriculum and pedagogy alignment
  • Continuous assessment and feedback systems
  • IT and library facilities

There are different types of affiliations: Provisional, Regular, and Permanent, depending on the school’s performance, longevity, and compliance.

Affiliated schools follow the NCERT syllabus, implement CBSE assessment schemes, and participate in board-conducted training, academic audits, and CoE workshops.

CBSE ensures academic support via:

  • Regional offices in India and abroad
  • Curriculum guides and sample papers
  • Professional development programs for teachers
  • Affiliation portal for compliance and transparency

Affiliation with CBSE enhances school credibility, ensures national parity in education, and facilitates smoother student transitions across states and countries. It also allows students to participate in CBSE Olympiads, national competitions, and sports events.

All CBSE-affiliated schools are required to:

  • Implement child-centric, inclusive education
  • Use performance indicators and feedback mechanisms
  • Ensure transparency in admissions and fees

Affiliation is renewed periodically to maintain quality, with strict inspection and self-evaluation practices enforced.

CBSE conducts two major public board exams:

  • AISSE (Class 10): All India Secondary School Examination
  • AISSCE (Class 12): All India Senior School Certificate Examination

Exams are conducted annually in February–March, with results declared in May. Exams are held in multiple centers across India and abroad.

Internal assessments contribute to final evaluation through:

  • Periodic tests
  • Notebook submission
  • Subject enrichment activities
  • Practical exams (Science, Computer, Physical Education)

For Grades 10 and 12, external exams are written papers (theory) and practicals (where applicable), graded centrally with strict confidentiality and standardized marking schemes.

Grades are awarded using a 9-point grading system for Class 10 and percentage-based scoring for Class 12.

CBSE recently introduced competency-based questions, case studies, and assertion-reasoning formats to promote application and analytical skills.

Students appearing for board exams are given access to sample papers, past question banks, marking schemes, and online support via CBSE academic websites.

To pass in CBSE Board Exams (Grades 10 and 12), a student must:

  • Score 33% in theory and practical exams separately (where applicable)
  • Achieve overall 33% in each subject
  • Attend at least 75% of classes

CBSE allows compartment exams for students who fail in one subject. Those failing in two or more subjects are required to repeat the year or reappear next session.

For internal assessments, students must complete:

  • Project work
  • Practical evaluations
  • Subject-specific assignments

Promotion in lower grades is based on Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE), which includes regular class assessments, behavior, project work, and class participation.

Grace marks (up to 5) may be awarded to borderline candidates at the board’s discretion.

Results are published digitally and students can request re-evaluation or rechecking of answer scripts.

The CBSE passing structure emphasizes fairness, consistency, and second-chance opportunities, while ensuring academic rigor.

While CBSE is an Indian board, its presence is truly global. CBSE schools operate in over 25 countries, including:

  • UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia
  • Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa
  • USA, UK, and Australia (select schools)

In the UAE alone, CBSE schools form one of the largest school communities, serving Indian expatriates. Many countries have Indian community schools officially affiliated to CBSE, ensuring continuity for students moving between India and abroad.

The board ensures centralized exam conduction, curriculum uniformity, and result declaration even for foreign schools. International schools must follow CBSE's norms and are supervised by designated regional offices.

Global expansion has led CBSE to increasingly adopt international practices such as global benchmarking, skill-based subjects, AI and coding integration, and career guidance.

  • AISSE (Grade 10 Board)
  • AISSCE (Grade 12 Board)
  • Internal Assessments (Grades 1–9 and 11)

  • English
  • Hindi (or regional/foreign language)
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social Science
  • Work Education, Art Education, Physical Education

  • Dubai: Delhi Private School, The Indian High School
  • Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Indian School, Private International English School
  • Sharjah: Sharjah Indian School, Our Own English High School
  • Doha: DPS Modern Indian School, MES Indian School
  • Riyadh: International Indian School Riyadh
  • Muscat: Indian School Muscat, Indian School Al Ghubra
  • Dammam: International Indian School Dammam
  • Delhi: DPS RK Puram, Springdales School
  • Bangalore: National Public School, Delhi Public School North
  • Mumbai: Ryan International School, DAV Public School
  • Kolkata: South Point High School, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Fact File
  • Year of Origin: 1929
  • Country: India
  • Compulsory Subjects:
    English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
  • Exit Examination: Board Exams