The primary difference between ICSE and ISC lies in the grade level for which the examinations are conducted. ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) is the board examination held at the Class 10 level, whereas ISC (Indian School Certificate) is conducted for Class 12 students.
Both examinations are organized by the same governing body, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). While ICSE represents the secondary stage of schooling, ISC corresponds to the higher secondary level, focusing on advanced subject knowledge and stream-specific specialization.
In essence, the difference between ICSE and ISC is not in the board itself, but in the academic level and curriculum depth, with ISC serving as a continuation of the ICSE framework at a more advanced stage.
ICSE Full Form: Indian Certificate of Secondary Education
ISC Full Form: Indian School Certificate
ICSE vs ISC
| Feature | ICSE Class 10 | ISC Class 12 |
| Full Form | Indian Certificate of Secondary Education | Indian School Certificate |
| Grade Level | Class 10 | Class 11 and 12 |
| Curriculum Focus | Provides a broad, foundational curriculum with both compulsory and optional subjects to prepare students for various streams. | Focuses on a more advanced and in depth study of subjects based on the stream a student has chosen. |
| Syllabus Depth | Covers a wide range of subjects but is less in depth than ISC. | Covers subjects in greater detail. for example,the trignometry syllabus in ISC is significantly more extensive than in ICSE. |
| Purpose | The completion of secondary education. | The completion of higher secondary education, with results used for college admissions. |
Recent Updates for 2026 Exams
The major update for the ICSE and ISC 2026 examinations is the release of their official exam timetables by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). The ICSE Class 10 examinations are scheduled to be conducted from 17 February to 30 March 2026. Meanwhile, the ISC Class 12 examinations will commence earlier, beginning on 12 February 2026, and will conclude on 6 April 2026.This advance announcement provides students with ample time to plan their revision strategies effectively and prepare in a structured manner for the board examinations.
