India has a few leading educational boards like CBSE, ICSE, IB, CISCE, and NIOS. Each has a unique way of teaching with a unique curriculum, assessment criteria, and exam pattern.
This article explores the CBSE Board in detail, helping students get a better idea.
What is the CBSE Board?
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is one of the most reputed educational boards in India. It is a national-level board under the Government of India, focused on the holistic development of children.
CBSE is known for its updated and comprehensive syllabus that prepares students not just for academics but also for the future.
The board is responsible for conducting class 10 and class 12 exams and is located in New Delhi with Rahul Singh as its current chairperson.
History and Formation of CBSE
CBSE formed in the year 1929; it was initially named as the ‘Board of High School and Intermediate Education, Rajputana.’ Over the years, it has witnessed significant expansion.
In 1952, the board got its present name, and in 1962, it was reconstituted. In the beginning, the main goal of the board was to serve the educational institutions more effectively and cater to the educational needs of students whose parents served in the central government and had transferable jobs.
From 309 schools in 1962, the board has grown to 29,340 schools as of 2024. Additionally, the board has opened 257 schools in 25 foreign countries. There are 1247 Kendriya Vidyalayas, 5280 government/aided schools, 22408 independent schools, 648 Jawhar Novodaya Vidyalayas, and 14 Central Tibetan schools.
Structure of CBSE Curriculum
The CBSE curriculum is an organised and standardised academic framework designed for students from Classes 1 to 12. The curriculum remains the same for all CBSE schools in the nation, ensuring consistency in education while making room for flexibility and innovation.
The curriculum covers a broad range of subjects, including languages, sciences, mathematics, and social sciences, along with co-curricular activities that foster the physical, emotional, and creative development of students.
Emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding, application-based learning, and continuous assessment. Beyond academics, the CBSE framework integrates activities like art, sports, value education, and life skills to promote holistic growth and prepare students for real-world challenges.
Subjects and Streams Offered in CBSE
The CBSE has designed a secondary curriculum for classes 11 and 12, which includes a broad range of subjects. Based on their interests and goals, students are flexible to choose from the Commerce, Science, and humanities streams.
The core subjects include
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Accountancy
- Business Studies
- Economics
- History
- Political Science
- Psychology and more
In addition, CBSE offers skill-based electives, languages (regional and foreign), physical education, and computer science, supporting diverse learning preferences.
CBSE Exam Pattern and Assessment System
In the CBSE system, students are evaluated based on internal and external assessments.
- Internal assessments include regular tests, assignments, and projects. Marks are also allotted depending on activities like listening and talking skills, lab work, attendance, participation in cocurricular activities, discipline, etc.
- External assessments include term-end examinations, practicals, and viva voce. These marks solely depend on the performance of students in the board exams conducted by the CBSE board.
Hence, the CBSE takes into account not only the academic performance but also other factors. In this manner, the students are continuously evaluated throughout the year. It lays emphasis on overall performance.
For Classes 1 to 10, the board follows a Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) model, focusing on both scholastic and co-scholastic areas. From Class 9 onwards, students face a more structured annual examination.
For Class 10 and 12, CBSE conducts national-level board exams. The pattern typically includes objective-type questions (MCQs), short-answer questions, and long-answer questions, with a strong emphasis on conceptual clarity and application-based learning.
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CBSE vs Other Education Boards
| Aspect | CBSE | ICSE |
|---|---|---|
| Governing body | Government of India | Private board |
| Syllabus | More focus on core subjects like Science and Mathematics | Detailed, comprehensive, equal focus on all subjects |
| Approach to learning | Application-based approach | Holistic approach, including in-depth analysis |
| Medium of instruction | Primarily English, along with Hindi and other regional languages | English is the primary language |
| Cost | Comparatively less expensive | More expensive than CBSE schools |
| Focus area | Prepares students for competitive exams | Arts, language, and practical knowledge |
| Assessment | Theory-based along with final exams | Practical and project-based, along with exams |
| Ease of learning | Comparatively easy to comprehend | A vast syllabus may make it challenging to understand |
How to Choose a CBSE-Affiliated School
Parents must choose a CBSE school that has the following features:
- State-of-the-art infrastructure.
- Qualified teachers.
- Regular extracurricular activities.
- Safe and child-friendly environment.
- Strong academic track record.
- Active parent-teacher communication.
Conclusion
The CBSE board, with its proven track record and student-friendly approach, has become the most preferred educational board in India. Its unique approach of focusing on conceptual clarity, skill development, and balanced assessment has led to well-rounded development of children. Parents must ensure the school meets certain criteria before enrolling the children.
Check out: Best CBSE Schools in Bangalore
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the full form of CBSE and its main objective?
CBSE stands for the Central Board of Secondary Education. Its main objective is to enrich and upskill students and prepare them for the future with a holistic approach.
How is the CBSE curriculum different from state boards?
The CBSE curriculum is more centralised, emphasising conceptual clarity, laying a foundation for competitive exams, and uniformity across India. In contrast, the syllabus for state boards is not uniform and is focused on region.
Which competitive exams are based on the CBSE syllabus?
Competitive exams such as UPSC, JEE, NEET, CUET, etc. are primarily based on the syllabus of UPSC.
What is the grading system followed by the CBSE Board?
CBSE follows a 9-point grading system for Classes 9 and 10, using grades from A1 to E based on students’ performance in scholastic subjects.
Can students from other boards switch to CBSE easily?
Students may face difficulty in switching to CBSE in the beginning. But going through the syllabus, exam pattern, and previous year papers will help them further.