CISCE Announces Major Reforms for ICSE and ISC Board Exams from 2025-26 Academic Session

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) is gearing up to introduce significant reforms in the upcoming academic session of 2025-26, impacting over 30 lakh students across India. These reforms are aimed at aligning the council’s academic framework with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the future.

One of the major changes on the horizon is the introduction of robotics and artificial intelligence as subjects for Classes XI and XII. These cutting-edge subjects will also be integrated into computer science for younger students, allowing them to learn AI and coding in a cohesive manner. This move underscores CISCE’s commitment to equipping students with the skills needed for emerging technologies.

In addition, CISCE will be rolling out a “holistic progress card” to evaluate students’ overall development in a comprehensive manner. This progress card will assess students’ achievements in both academic and non-academic areas, providing a well-rounded view of their learning outcomes.

Furthermore, the structure of Board exams will see a significant shift, with competency-based questions constituting 25% of the exam by 2025, increasing to 50% by 2027. These questions will focus on core competencies rather than rote memorization, fostering skills such as creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and higher-order thinking capacities.

To enhance the quality of education, CISCE will also introduce digital assessments for Classes III, V, and VIII, starting in 2025-26. These assessments will help identify students in need of remediation as well as those with exceptional abilities.

Moreover, the council plans to launch a school improvement plan to elevate standards in government schools. By encouraging collaboration between high-performing schools and state governments, CISCE aims to enhance educational quality in public institutions.

Overall, these reforms are designed to create a more balanced and skill-oriented educational environment, making board exams more student-friendly and reflective of real-world skills. Joseph Emmanuel, CEO and secretary of CISCE, expressed optimism about the positive impact these changes will have on students’ learning experiences and future prospects.