New Delhi: With an aim to make the assessment process transparent besides enhancing clarity and academic rigour, the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has announced major reforms in the Indian School Certificate (ISC) or Class 12 examination. It has suggested various reforms which will be effective for ISC exams from 2027.

The major changes include new pass criteria, revision of syllabus, two streams and English and maths, introduction of new subjects and others. In a circular shared with affiliated schools, CISCE chief executive and secretary Dr Joseph Emmanuel has announced major reforms for ISC board exams from 2027.

CISCE revises ISC, ICSE syllabus

The CISCE has revised the ISC syllabus for a total of six subjects including, Chemistry, Biology, Political Science, Psychology, Legal Studies and History. The revised syllabus will be effective from the ISC 2026 exams. A total of 10 subjects at ICSE (Class 10) have been updated. The syllabus revised for ICSE subjects are History and Civics, Geography, Economic Applications, Chemistry, Economics, Commercial Studies, Carnatic Music, Robotics, Assamese, Marathi, and Artificial Intelligence. However, there is no change in the syllabus for the remaining subjects.

Revised pass criteria announced

The CISCE has decided to remove the terms “Pass Certificate Awarded (PCA)” and “Pass Certificate Not Awarded (PCNA)” in the exam results document. It will be replaced by the terms called qualified and not qualified. The Council has also decided to merge two separate documents (Statement of Marks and Pass Certificate) into a single document titled “Pass Certificate-cum-Statement of Marks.” Students who fail in the ISC board exams will receive a “Statement of Marks.” However, students who are appearing for supplementary exams will be issued with a “Supplementary Statement of Marks.”

New pass criteria for ISC 2027 examination

The exam authority has announced that starting from 2027, students must pass in five or six subjects instead of four or more. Students must choose either English or Modern English subjects as mandatory besides a passing grade in Socially Useful Productive Work (SUPW) and Community Service. The SUPW and Community Service will be assessed internally by schools.

Restricting subject combinations

Students are not allowed to opt for certain subject combinations in ISC board exams such as English (subject code: 801) with Modern English (subject code: 891), physics (subject code: 861) with engineering science (subject code: 867), mathematics (subject code: 860) with applied mathematics (subject code: 885), robotics (subject code: 884) with artificial intelligence (subject code: 883) and geometrical and mechanical drawing (subject code: 869) with geometrical and building drawing (subject code: 870). Additionally, the subject Accounts (code: 858) will now be called “Accountancy.”

New streams in English and Mathematics

The CISCE has introduced two streams in English and Mathematics. The Applied Mathematics (subject code: 885) was rolled out for students who aim to pursue a career in humanities/commerce/economics/ Biosciences/social sciences and other fields. However, Mathematics (subject code 860) is designed for students aspiring to build a career in mathematics/physics/chemistry/ engineering/architecture/ and other fields.

Birth of new subjects

From ISC board exams 2027, students can choose Bhutia Language as a new subject. In ICSE (Class 10), students can select the new subjects – Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Applied Mathematics, Modern English, and Bhutia Language.

The Council continues to extend their support to students belonging to specific learning or physically disabled categories. It has described these provisions in the document “CISCE Guidelines for Comprehensive Support Measures in Examinations: Concessions and Benefits for Diverse Need Learners.” The CISCE has also asked school heads to communicate the revised changes to students for better planning and preparation.