Overview
The Indian School Certificate (ISC) is the Class 12 examination conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), a national-level, privately-run examining body headquartered in Delhi. Students in CISCE-affiliated schools sit ISC at the end of Class 12, after two years of study from Class 11.
Who can apply
ISC is open to students enrolled in a CISCE-affiliated school; the school registers students with the council. CISCE does not generally accept private (non-school) candidates for ISC in the way some other boards do.
Exam pattern
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Entry to the ISC course (Class XI) | Requires an ICSE pass certificate with passes in five subjects, including English |
| Course length | Two years of study, beyond the ICSE (Class 10) examination |
| Medium of examination | English |
Syllabus
CISCE sets its own syllabus for each subject at ISC level, published on cisce.org and updated by the council from time to time. Schools follow the current syllabus document for the session a student is appearing in.
Important dates
For the 2026 cycle, CISCE released the ISC Class 12 date sheet in November 2025, with theory exams held between 12 February and 6 April 2026 in morning and afternoon shifts, and results announced on 30 April 2026. Dates change each year, so check the current session's date sheet on cisce.org.
After the exam
ISC results are published on the official CISCE result portal linked from cisce.org. CISCE also runs a recheck process and, after that, a re-evaluation process for candidates who want their scripts looked at again; both are announced and their results declared separately on cisce.org after the main result.
Preparation tips
Use the current CISCE syllabus and specimen papers for your subjects rather than an older edition, since CISCE revises syllabi periodically.
Confirm your school's practical exam and project schedule early, as these run alongside the written papers and contribute to your final result.
Who conducts the ISC exam?
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) conducts ISC, the Class 12 exam, for its affiliated schools.
Can I appear for ISC as a private candidate?
ISC registration is through a CISCE-affiliated school; the council does not generally register individual, non-school candidates the way some other boards do.
Where do I find the ISC date sheet and results?
Both are published on the official CISCE website, cisce.org.