CISCE: ICSE & ISC Board Exams 2026 – Date Sheet, Admit Card, Syllabus & Results

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) is a premier national-level private board governing school education in India. Established in 1958 and headquartered in New Delhi, CISCE conducts two primary examinations—the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) for Class 10 and the Indian School Certificate (ISC) for Class 12. The Council is recognized for its rich curriculum, strong emphasis on English, and holistic evaluation system aligned with the National Education Policy 2020.

Examinations Conducted by CISCE

CISCE conducts the following annual public examinations:

ICSE (Class 10): Covers compulsory subjects (English, second language, History-Civics-Geography, Mathematics, Sciences) alongside elective Group III subjects such as Computer Applications, Art, Commercial Studies, etc.
ISC (Class 12): Offers disciplines in Science, Commerce, and Humanities with a large subject basket including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Accountancy, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, etc.

Both examinations include internal assessments, project work, and a mandatory SUPW (Socially Useful Productive Work) component, ensuring overall student development.

CISCE Admissions 2025 (for 2026 Examinations)

The registration process for the 2026 ICSE & ISC board exams is tentatively expected to begin in May–June 2025, as per usual annual practice. Forms for improvement or re-appear candidates are likely to be accepted during August–September 2025. All registrations are managed through affiliated schools, which submit the required details to CISCE.

CISCE Date Sheet 2026 (Tentative)

ICSE (Class 10)

The ICSE 2026 Date Sheet is expected (tentatively) to be released in November 2025.
The examination period is likely to be held between 18 February and 27 March 2026 (tentatively).
These dates are provisional and may change—students must await the official timetable from CISCE.

ISC (Class 12)

The ISC 2026 timetable is tentatively expected to be announced in November 2025.
Exams are likely to be held from around mid-February to early April 2026.
The Council may conduct examinations in morning and afternoon shifts, as per past practice. Final confirmation will come in the official notification.

CISCE Admit Card 2026 (Tentative)

Admit cards are usually issued 2–4 weeks before exams begin. For 2026, admit cards are tentatively expected to be distributed between January and February 2026. These admit cards must be collected from the respective schools. Students should verify all details and report discrepancies immediately.

CISCE Results 2026 (Tentative)

ICSE Results (Class 10)

ICSE results are generally declared within 4–6 weeks after the exams. Hence, the ICSE 2026 results are tentatively expected by late April or early May 2026.

ISC Results (Class 12)

ISC results are often declared about 45 days after the last paper. Thus, the ISC 2026 results are likely to be announced in May 2026. Students can access their scorecards through the official CISCE portal and DigiLocker.

Syllabus & Curriculum

The CISCE curriculum focuses on conceptual understanding, written and oral communication skills, critical thinking, and co-curricular development. The syllabus for all ICSE and ISC subjects is available online on the CISCE official website. Updated specimen papers and marking schemes are released each year to guide students’ preparation. The syllabus is aligned with NEP 2020 and includes a balance of academic and life-skill education.

Vision, Mission & Core Values

CISCE aims to promote quality education, human values, and the holistic development of students. Its mission emphasizes integrity, global competence, and social responsibility. Core values include:

Academic Excellence
Ethical Conduct
Balanced Development (Mind & Body)
Innovation & Inquiry

The Council’s philosophy encourages a learning environment that fosters curiosity, independence, and compassion.

CISCE vs CBSE – A Comparative Overview

Aspect	CISCE (ICSE / ISC)	CBSE
Curriculum Style	Detailed, comprehensive; English-focused; wider electives	More concise, standardized, national-level uniformity
Assessment Method	Strong practical and internal assessment component	Internal + external evaluation; more theoretical
Difficulty Level	Generally higher, analytical	Moderate, more application-oriented
Global Recognition	Highly regarded internationally for holistic education	Widely accepted across Indian competitive exams and abroad
Subjects Flexibility	Greater flexibility in Humanities and Arts	Strong focus on Science & Mathematics

Summary Table (Tentative for 2026)

Feature	Details (Tentative)
Registration Window	May–June 2025 (Main), Aug–Sept 2025 (Improvement)
ICSE Exam Dates 2026	Tentatively mid-February to late March 2026
ISC Exam Dates 2026	Tentatively mid-February to early April 2026
Admit Card Release	Likely between January – February 2026
Results Declaration	ICSE: Late April / Early May 2026 (Tentative); ISC: May 2026
Official Date Sheet	Expected in November 2025
Mode of Exam	Offline (Pen & Paper)
Syllabus Availability	Available on the CISCE official website

Conclusion

CISCE continues to uphold a reputation for academic excellence and holistic education through its ICSE and ISC examinations. While the dates for 2026 are currently tentative, students are advised to prepare well in advance and keep checking the official CISCE website for final updates. The Council’s emphasis on balanced learning, ethics, and skill development ensures that students are well-prepared not only for higher education but also for real-life challenges. Regular revision, adherence to timetable updates, and use of CISCE specimen papers will greatly benefit candidates preparing for the 2026 board exams.