Difference between ICSE and CBSE

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations aims at providing high quality education to children. The council conducts three exams: 10th standard exam called the ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education), 12th standard exam called the ISC (The Indian School Certificate) and CVE which is the Certificate in Vocational Education.

The CBSE is the Central Board of Secondary Education. It was constituted with the aim of providing proper service to educational institutions. Its main objective is to serve the needs of those students whose parents are employed in the government and have transferable jobs. The board has regional offices across the country to help it function effectively. The main exams conducted by the board are the 10th called the AISSE (All India Secondary School Examination) and 12th called the AISSCE (All India Secondary School Certificate Examination). The first difference between the two is that ICSE is an exam conducted by CISCE whereas CBSE is a board that conducts exams. CISCE has the syllabus prepared with English as its medium of instruction. CBSE has both English and Hindi medium of instruction. CBSE has many schools across the country affiliated to it. It allows students from non affiliated schools also to appear for its exams. In the case of CISCE, only students studying at its affiliated schools are allowed to appear for exams conducted by it. One of the compulsory subjects in ICSE is environmental education which is not present in CBSE. The CBSE syllabus is more suitable for those planning to take the medical or engineering entrance. It must also be noted that the AIEEE (All India Engineering Entrance Examination) is conducted by the CBSE. The CBSE syllabus is also comparatively easier. The English papers of the ICSE are considered to be the toughest and also the best in the country. ICSE gives important to internal assessment and lab work.