Overview
▼ What is ICSE? Understanding the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education
The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) is an academic qualification awarded by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), a private, non-governmental board of education in India. The CISCE conducts these examinations to assess students' performance in a course of general education, offered through the medium of English, and aligned with the recommendations of the New Education Policy 2020.
The ICSE is known for its comprehensive syllabus and primary focus on the English language and variety of subjects that it offers, which involve language, arts, commerce and science. The ICSE is taught in English only.
The ICSE Examination is a school examination and the standard of the examination pre-supposes a school course of ten years duration (Classes I-X). The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education Examination will ensure a general education and all candidates are required to enter for six or more subjects and Socially Useful Productive Work (SUPW).
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Indian Certificate of Secondary Education |
| Abbreviation | ICSE |
| Established | 1958 |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, India |
| Official Language | English |
| Board Type | Private, Non-Governmental Board of Education |
| Exam Levels | Secondary (Class 10) & Senior Secondary (Class 12) |
| Official Website | www.cisce.org |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Written) |
| Exam Frequency | Once a Year |
| Passing Criteria | 33% in each subject + 33% overall |
▼ ICSE 2026 Exam: Key Highlights and Information
The ICSE 10th examination for 2026 will be conducted following the established standards and patterns. Here are the key highlights of the ICSE 2026 exam:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Full Name | Indian Certificate of Secondary Education 10th |
| Exam Frequency | Once a Year |
| 2026 Exam Dates | February 17 - March 30, 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Written) |
| Admit Card Release | January 27, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | April 2026 (Expected) |
| Passing Marks | 33% in each subject + 33% overall |
| Minimum Subjects | 6 subjects + SUPW |
Exam Time Slots
| Subject | Exam Duration |
|---|---|
| English | 2 hours |
| Hindi/Regional Language | 2 hours |
| Mathematics | 2 hours |
| Science | 2 hours |
| Social Studies | 2 hours |
| Other Subjects | 1.5 - 2 hours |
Watch: ICSE 2026 Exam Overview
▼ Exam Structure and Subject Groups
The ICSE 10th exam follows a unique subject grouping system that allows students to choose subjects based on their interests and career goals.
Subject Grouping System
| Group | Subjects | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Group I (Compulsory) | English, Hindi/Regional Language | Mandatory (2 subjects) |
| Group II (Optional) | Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Computer Science, Economics, etc. | Choose 2-3 subjects |
| Group III (Optional) | Languages, Arts, Vocational Subjects | Choose 1 subject |
| SUPW | Socially Useful Productive Work | Mandatory |
Main Subjects and Exam Duration
| Subject | Total Marks | Exam Duration | Question Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 hours | Diverse |
| Hindi | 100 | 2 hours | Diverse |
| Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours | Diverse |
| Science | 100 | 2 hours | Diverse |
| Social Studies | 100 | 2 hours | Diverse |
| Computer Science | 100 | 1.5 hours | Diverse |
▼ Eligibility Criteria for ICSE 10th
To appear for the ICSE 10th examination, students must satisfy the following eligibility criteria set by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations:
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | No specific minimum age limit |
| Maximum Age | No specific maximum age limit |
| Educational Qualification | Must have completed Class IX and enrolled in Class X |
| School Type | Must study in an ICSE affiliated school |
| Attendance | Minimum 75% attendance during Class X |
| Form Submission | Must submit examination form through school |
| Fee Payment | Must pay examination fee before due date |
| Nationality | Indian citizens or eligible students |
▼ Important Dates and Exam Schedule 2026
The following are the important dates for the ICSE 10th examination 2026. Students should mark these dates to ensure they don't miss any crucial deadlines:
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Form Submission | November 2025 | Submit through school |
| Admit Card Release | January 27, 2026 | Distributed by schools |
| Written Exams Start | February 17, 2026 | First day of exams |
| Written Exams End | March 30, 2026 | Last day of exams |
| Result Declaration | April 2026 (Expected) | Official result release |
| Improvement Exams | May-June 2026 (Expected) | For score improvement |
| Improvement Result | June 2026 (Expected) | Improvement exam results |
Exam Time Slots
- Morning Session: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
- Afternoon Session: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Specific timing varies by subject
▼ ICSE Subjects and Syllabus
The ICSE 10th curriculum is comprehensive and covers a wide range of subjects across different disciplines. Students must select subjects based on their interests and career aspirations.
Compulsory Subjects (Group I)
| Subject | Total Marks | Exam Duration | Content Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 hours | Prose, Poetry, Drama, Grammar |
| Hindi/Regional Language | 100 | 2 hours | Prose, Poetry, Drama, Grammar |
Optional Subjects (Group II - Choose 2-3)
| Subject | Total Marks | Exam Duration | Content Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours | Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics |
| Science | 100 | 2 hours | Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Social Studies | 100 | 2 hours | History, Geography, Civics |
| Computer Science | 100 | 1.5 hours | Programming, Database, Web Design |
Optional Subjects (Group III - Choose 1)
| Subject | Total Marks | Exam Duration | Content Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Languages (French, German, Spanish, Sanskrit, Bengali, etc.) | 100 | 2 hours | — |
| Arts (Art, Music, Dance, Drama) | 100 | 2 hours | — |
| Vocational Subjects | 100 | 2 hours | — |
▼ Passing Marks, Grading and Result Declaration
The ICSE 10th examination follows a specific passing criteria and grading system. Understanding these standards is crucial for students preparing for the exam.
Passing Standards
| Criteria | Marks/Details |
|---|---|
| Total Marks per Subject | 100 marks |
| Passing Marks per Subject | 33 marks (33%) |
| Overall Passing Marks | 33% of total marks |
| Minimum Subjects Required | 6 subjects + SUPW |
| Passing Requirement | All subjects must be passed individually |
ICSE Grading System
| Grade | Marks Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 90-100 | Excellent |
| 8 | 80-89 | Very Good |
| 7 | 70-79 | Good |
| 6 | 60-69 | Satisfactory |
| 5 | 50-59 | Pass |
| 4 | 40-49 | Pass |
| 3 | 30-39 | Pass |
| 2 | 20-29 | Fail |
| 1 | Below 20 | Fail |
Result Declaration
- Main Exam Result: April 2026 (Expected)
- Result Website: cisce.org
- Marksheet Download: Official website
- Merit List: Released with results
Improvement / Compartment exams: May-June 2026 (Expected)
Improvement Examination
- Eligibility: Students who want to improve their scores
- Dates: May-June 2026 (Expected)
- Result: June 2026 (Expected)
- Fee: As notified by schools
Official Result Websites
- cisce.org
- results.cisce.org