This comprehensive guide breaks down CBSE, ICSE, international boards, and state boards, helping you decide which aligns best with your child’s goal.
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 |
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:
Who should choose CBSE board schools?
CBSE schools (Comprehensive guide)
For specific information on CBSE schools, explore our lists:
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:
Who should choose CBSE board schools?
For more on ICSE’s curriculum standards, refer to
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Certificate_of_Secondary_Education
For detailed information on ICSE schools, visit:
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:
Who Should Choose International Board schools?
Learn more about IB board schools on Wikipedia and Cambridge International.
For top schools offering international curricula, explore:
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:
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:
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:
· Focus on practical knowledge and application skills.
· Recognized globally for International Education.
Who Should Choose IGCSE?
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:
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:
· "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
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