CBSE vs. ICSE vs. International vs. State Boards vs IGCSE : (A Complete Guide)

This comprehensive guide breaks down CBSE, ICSE, international boards, and state boards, helping you decide which aligns best with your child’s goal.

CBSE, ICSE, IB, IGCSE, and State Board Schools in India (2014 vs. 2024)

Education Board	Number of Schools (2014)	Number of Schools (2024)
CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)	15,000+	28000+
ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education)	1,500+	2,300
IB (International Baccalaureate)	100+	185+
IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education)	350+	500+
State Boards	Varied across 29 states	32 state boards with large school networks

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

The CBSE board is regulated by India’s Ministry of Education and remains one of the most widely accepted boards in the country. As of 2024, there were over 28,000 CBSE-affiliated schools in India, which has increased by 50% since 2014.

Key Features:

Standardized Curriculum
Application-Based Assessments
Preparation for Competitive Exams

Who should choose CBSE board schools?

Competitive Exam Aspirants: The curriculum is ideal for students aiming for exams like JEE and NEET.
Families Who Relocate Frequently: CBSE’s standardized curriculum makes it easier for students to transition between schools across India.
Structured Curriculum: Curriculum is well structured with focus on Maths and science subjects.
For more details on CBSE board curriculum visit CBSE Official Website,

CBSE schools (Comprehensive guide)

For specific information on CBSE schools, explore our lists:

Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)

The ICSE board is overseen by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). As of 2022, over 2,200 schools are ICSE-affiliated, a rise of almost 30% over the past decade.

Key Features:

Diverse Curriculum
Emphasis on Language and communication skills
International Recognition

Who should choose CBSE board schools?

Students Developing Strong Language Skills: ICSE board focuses on English language proficiency and good communication skills.
Families Considering International Education: The curriculum aligns well with international academic standards.
Well-Rounded Curriculum Enthusiasts: ICSE balances academics with creative and extracurricular subjects.

For more on ICSE’s curriculum standards, refer to

CISCE Official Website

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Certificate_of_Secondary_Education

ICSE schools (Complete guide)

For detailed information on ICSE schools, visit:

International Boards (IB and Cambridge)

International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge Assessment boards focuses on global perspective. These boards have over 600 affiliated schools in India as of 2022.

Key Features of International Boards:

Inquiry-Based Learning.
Global Perspective.
Flexible Subject Choices.

Who Should Choose International Board schools?

Inquiry-Based Learning: IB board schools focuses on critical thinking, creativity, and self-driven research by the students.
Global Perspective: Encourages students to engage with international issues and promotes international mindedness.
Flexible Curriculum Choices: IB boards provide a wide variety of subject choices for their students.

Learn more about IB board schools on Wikipedia and Cambridge International.

For top schools offering international curricula, explore:

State Boards

State boards differ from state to state as each state has their own state education board. State boards cater to over 60% of India’s students, providing affordable and accessible education tailored to state exams.

Key Features of State Boards:

Regionally Relevant Curriculum
Affordable Education
Alignment with State level Exams

Who Should Choose State Board schools?

· State-Focused Education: This is ideal for students who are planning higher education within their state.

· Affordable Education Seekers: State board education is generally more affordable compared to CBSE, ICSE, IGCSE and IB boards.

For more information, visit Ministry of Education - State Boards.

Explore our guides to find top state board schools:

International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)

The IGCSE board was developed by the Cambridge Assessment International Education and it offers a globally relevant curriculum. In India, the IGCSE board has over 500 affiliated schools as of 2024, growing 40% over the last 10 years.

Key Features of IGCSE schools:

Global Curriculum with Local Relevance
Subject choosing Flexibility for Students

· Focus on practical knowledge and application skills.

· Recognized globally for International Education.

Who Should Choose IGCSE?

Students looking for a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, practical skills, and a global perspective.
Those planning to study abroad, as IGCSE is widely recognized by universities worldwide.
Students who benefit from a curriculum that allows flexibility in subject choice and a balance between academic and skill-based learning.

Comparing CBSE, ICSE, International, IGCSE and State Boards

Feature	CBSE	ICSE	International Boards(IB and CI)	State boards	IGCSE
Curriculum Focus	Theoretical, STEM-focused	Balanced, language-rich	Inquiry-based, global exposure	Region-specific	Practical, skills-based, internationally focused
Exams	National-level	National & international	International (IB exams, IGCSE)	State-level	International (Cambridge Assessment)
Ideal for	Competitive exams (JEE/NEET)	Well-rounded academics	Global-minded students	State college entrance	Students seeking international education with flexibility
Recognition	National	National	International	Regional	Global

Making the Right Choice

Selecting the right school board is a personal decision based on each child’s academic goals, learning preferences, and family priorities. Here are a few questions to consider:

What is your child’s learning style? CBSE is structured, ICSE is detailed, International Boards are project-oriented, and State Boards are flexible.
What are your child’s future academic or career aspirations? For engineering or medical fields, CBSE can be ideal. For holistic education or global exposure, consider International Boards.
Is affordability a factor? State boards are usually more affordable.
Does your child plan to study abroad? ICSE and International Boards are widely recognized internationally.

If you are interested in specific school recommendations, you can search for any individual school name and get the details. Also, you can check the top 10 schools across different boards in Kolkata and Gurugram here:

Parent reviews

· "CBSE's focus on math and science helped my child prepare for JEE effectively," highlighting the board's support for STEM-oriented careers. Source: Parent Circle

· "It lacks a global perspective, which is essential for international studies". Source: CP Goenka International School

· “The board has given my daughter a strong command of English and analytical skills,” which they find beneficial for studying abroad. Source: SchoolMyKids

· "It’s rigorous, and my child has to put in extra hours, but the payoff in critical thinking is worth it". Source: CP Goenka International School

· "IGCSE prepares students well for global education systems and allows flexibility in subject choices" source: Parent Circle

· "It misses out on Indian history, which is essential for cultural knowledge". Source: SchoolMyKids

· A parent on India Today’s platform mentioned that the ICSE board fosters a holistic approach by including more literature, languages, and creative subjects, which helped their child develop well-rounded skills, especially in communication and analytical thinking. Source: India Today