The Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has announced significant modifications to the Indian School Certificate (ISC) examination system, set to take effect from 2027. These changes include revised pass criteria, updated syllabi, introduction of new subjects, and streamlining of result documentation. The reforms aim to enhance clarity and academic rigor, ensuring a more structured and transparent assessment process for students.
Revised pass criteria and documentation
The existing terms “Pass Certificate Awarded” (PCA) and “Pass Certificate Not Awarded” (PCNA) will be replaced with “Qualified” and “Not Qualified” respectively. Additionally, the two separate documents—Statement of Marks and Pass Certificate—provided to students who qualify will now be merged into a single document titled “Pass Certificate-cum-Statement of Marks.” Candidates who do not qualify will receive a “Statement of Marks,” while those appearing for supplementary exams will be issued a “Supplementary Statement of Marks.”
Updates for ISC 2026 examination
For the ISC 2026 examinations, the syllabi for six subjects—Chemistry, Biology, History, Political Science, Psychology, and Legal Studies—have been revised. However, the scope of the remaining subjects remains unchanged.
New pass criteria for ISC 2027 examination
Starting from 2027, students will need to secure a passing grade in five or six subjects instead of the current requirement of four or more. English or Modern English will be a mandatory subject, along with a passing grade in Socially Useful Productive Work (SUPW) and Community Service, which are assessed internally by schools.
Subject selection and nomenclature changes
Students must now choose English/Modern English along with four or five elective subjects, instead of the previous requirement of three to five electives. Additionally, the subject “Accounts” (code 858) has been renamed “Accountancy” (code 858). Certain subject combinations, such as Physics with Engineering Science and Mathematics with Applied Mathematics, will no longer be permitted.
Introduction of two streams in English and Mathematics
To cater to different academic and career aspirations, two distinct streams in English and Mathematics will be introduced. Applied Mathematics (code 885) is recommended for students pursuing careers in Humanities, Commerce, Economics, Biosciences, and Social Sciences, while Mathematics (code 860) is tailored for those aiming for careers in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Architecture, and related fields.
Support measures for students with special needs
Candidates with specific learning or physical disabilities will continue to receive exemptions and accommodations. The details of these provisions are outlined in the document “CISCE Guidelines for Comprehensive Support Measures in Examinations: Concessions and Benefits for Diverse Need Learners,” available on the CISCE website.
New subjects introduced at ICSE and ISC levels
From 2027, ICSE (Class 10) students can choose from five new subjects: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Applied Mathematics, Modern English, and Bhutia Language. At the ISC (Class 12) level, Bhutia Language has been added as a new subject.
Syllabus revisions across multiple subjects
The syllabi for 12 subjects at the ISC level and 10 subjects at the ICSE level have been updated. The revised ISC subjects include Mathematics, Elective English, Biology, Commerce, Accountancy, History, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Chemistry, Physics, and Legal Studies. At the ICSE level, the changes cover History and Civics, Geography, Chemistry, Economics, Economic Applications, Commercial Studies, Assamese, Marathi, Carnatic Music, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence.
Guidelines for schools and candidates
CISCE has instructed all school heads to distribute printed copies of the revised regulations and syllabi to students and teachers to facilitate effective planning and preparation. Candidates can also download the updated syllabus and examination regulations from the CISCE website for reference.
These reforms reflect CISCE’s commitment to enhancing the examination process and ensuring a more comprehensive and student-friendly approach to education.
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