The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, commonly known as ICSE, is a national-level examination for Class 10 students. It is conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), which is a private board of school education in India. The CISCE board is based in New Delhi and is one of the most well-known educational boards in the country. Every year, it conducts the ICSE Class 10 exam and the ISC Class 12 exam across India.
The ICSE exam is designed to give students a thorough general education, following the guidelines of the New Education Policy 1986. All instruction is in English. The board focuses on a student's complete development - academic, analytical, and practical - by offering a balanced and well-structured curriculum.
If you are preparing for the ICSE board exam 2026-27, this page covers everything you need - syllabus, exam pattern, grading system, study materials, Selina solutions, sample papers, and preparation tips. All resources on Myclass24 are written by experienced teachers and are updated as per the latest ICSE board guidelines.
ICSE Board 2026 27 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Board Name | Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) |
| Popular Name | ICSE Board |
| Established | 1958 |
| Examination Level | National Level |
| Classes Covered | Class 1 to Class 12 |
| Medium of Instruction | English |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Official Examination | ICSE Class 10 Board Exam |
ICSE Selina Concise Solutions
| Class | Solutions | Main Subjects Covered |
|---|---|---|
| ICSE Class 6 | ICSE Selina Class 6 Solutions | Maths, Science |
| ICSE Class 7 | ICSE Selina Class 7 Solutions | Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| ICSE Class 8 | ICSE Selina Class 8 Solutions | Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| ICSE Class 9 | ICSE Selina Class 9 Solutions | Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| ICSE Class 10 | ICSE Selina Class 10 Solutions | Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
ICSE Board Syllabus 2026-27
The ICSE syllabus is detailed and well-planned. It is designed to develop strong analytical thinking and practical knowledge in students. The board places equal importance on all subjects, encouraging students to study each one in depth. This helps build a solid foundation that is useful when choosing subjects in higher classes.
Internal assessments are a key part of the ICSE curriculum. Practical exam scores are added to the student's overall marks. Students should be fully familiar with the syllabus before they begin their ICSE board exam 2026-27 preparation, so there are no surprises later. The class-wise ICSE syllabus is available on Myclass24 for Classes 1 to 10.
| ICSE Syllabus Class-wise |
|---|
| ICSE Class 10 Syllabus |
| ICSE Class 9 Syllabus |
| ICSE Class 8 Syllabus |
| ICSE Class 7 Syllabus |
| ICSE Class 6 Syllabus |
| ICSE Class 5 Syllabus |
| ICSE Class 4 Syllabus |
| ICSE Class 3 Syllabus |
| ICSE Class 2 Syllabus |
| ICSE Class 1 Syllabus |
ICSE Practical Exam Syllabus
The ICSE practical syllabus gives students a clear idea of the experiments they need to perform in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in their school labs. All practical experiments are linked to the theory syllabus, so students can clearly see the real-world application of what they are studying in class.
Before attempting any practical experiment, students must have a good understanding of the related theory concepts. Strong practical scores also contribute to the student's total marks, so they should not be ignored during preparation.
| ICSE Practical Syllabus |
|---|
| ICSE Class 9 Experiments |
| ICSE Class 10 Experiments |
ICSE Curriculum Details - Class 1 to Class 10
Class 1 to Class 5
At this stage, the focus is on building and refining basic learning skills. CISCE-affiliated schools are free to choose their own textbooks for Classes 1 to 5. However, all schools must follow the general guidelines laid down by the board to ensure that the curriculum is relevant and consistent for all students.
Class 6 to Class 10
For Classes 6 to 10, a well-structured syllabus is provided by CISCE. The board also offers a recommended list of books from which schools can select the most suitable ones for their students. No single textbook is made compulsory by the council.
The curriculum follows a theme-based approach for each subject. Learning outcomes are clearly defined for every theme, helping students and teachers know exactly what is expected at each stage. The subject areas are arranged in a structured matrix format for clarity.
ICSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026-27
The CISCE conducts the ICSE Class 10 board exam every year for students studying in Class 10 under the ICSE board. The exam is designed as a general education course following the New Education Policy 1986.
Students appear in a total of 7 subjects. Out of these:
- 4 subjects are compulsory for all students
- 3 subjects are optional, chosen by the student based on their interest
Compulsory subjects include English, a Second Language, History and Civics, and Geography. The CISCE conducts board exams for all subjects under the ICSE board, including Science, Environmental Science, Commercial Studies, and more.
ICSE Compartmental Exam
After the main ICSE board exam results are declared, the board releases the schedule for the ICSE Compartmental Exam. Students who could not pass one subject are allowed to appear for the compartmental exam in that subject - provided they have already passed English (compulsory) and at least three other subjects in the main exam.
The school submits the names of eligible students to CISCE online. The compartmental exam gives students a fair second chance to improve their scores and complete their Class 10 qualification without losing a year.
ICSE Practical Exams
Practical exams are as important as written theory papers in the ICSE board. They help students clear doubts, understand concepts better, and develop real problem-solving skills. Scoring well in practicals is necessary to get a good overall result in any science subject.
The ICSE board conducts practical exams for the following subjects:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Computer Science
- Art
- Indian Music
- Home Science
- Fashion Designing
ICSE Exam Pattern 2026-27
Understanding the ICSE board exam pattern before you start studying helps you plan your preparation better. You will know how many sections are in each paper, how marks are divided, and which areas to focus on more. The subject-wise exam pattern is given below:
| Subject | Exam Pattern |
|---|---|
| English I (2 hrs) | 4 broad questions: Essay (450-500 words), Letter, Unseen passage, Grammar. Students get a choice in the essay and letter section. |
| English II (2 hrs) | Section A (2 questions), Section B (2 questions), Section C (2 questions including an essay-type question). |
| Mathematics (2.5 hrs) | Section A: 4 compulsory questions of 10 marks each (40 marks). Section B: 7 questions, attempt any 4 (40 marks). |
| Hindi (3 hrs) | Section 1: Essay (250 words), Letter, Unseen Passage. Section 2: 4 literature questions from chosen books. |
| Physics (1.5 hrs) | Section A: Short compulsory questions (40 marks). Section B: 6 questions, attempt any 4 (40 marks). |
| Chemistry (1.5 hrs) | Section A: Short compulsory questions (40 marks). Section B: 6 questions, attempt any 4 (40 marks). |
| Biology (1.5 hrs) | Section A: Short compulsory questions (40 marks). Section B: 6 questions, attempt any 4 (40 marks). |
| History and Civics (2 hrs) | Section A: Short answers from Civics (10 marks) and History (20 marks). Section B: Long answers from Civics (any 2 of 3 = 20 marks) and History (any 3 of 5 = 30 marks). |
| Geography (2 hrs) | Part 1: Map of India (10 marks), Survey map (20 marks). Part 2: Any 5 of 9 questions (50 marks). |
| Environmental Science (2 hrs) | Part 1: 4 compulsory questions. Part 2: Long answer questions - attempt any 4 of 5. |
ICSE Grading System and Subject Groups
The ICSE grading pattern divides subjects into three groups. Group 1 is compulsory for all students. Students choose any two subjects from Group 2 and any one subject from Group 3. For most Group 1 and Group 2 subjects, 80% marks come from external exams and 20% from internal assessment. For Group 3 subjects, it is 50% external and 50% internal.
| Subject Group | Subject | External Exam | Internal Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group I (Compulsory) | English | 80% | 20% |
| Second Language | 80% | 20% | |
| History, Civics and Geography | 80% | 20% | |
| Group II (Any 2 subjects) | Mathematics | 80% | 20% |
| Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) | 80% | 20% | |
| Economics | 80% | 20% | |
| Commercial Studies | 80% | 20% | |
| Modern Foreign Language | 80% | 20% | |
| Classical Language | 80% | 20% | |
| Environmental Science | 80% | 20% | |
| Group III (Any 1 subject) | Computer Applications | 50% | 50% |
| Art | 50% | 50% | |
| Home Science | 50% | 50% | |
| Physical Education | 50% | 50% | |
| Fashion Designing | 50% | 50% | |
| Technical Drawing Applications | 50% | 50% |
ICSE Study Materials on Myclass24
Good study material is one of the most important parts of successful ICSE board exam 2026-27 preparation. On Myclass24, students can find a wide range of free and organised study resources:
| Study Material |
|---|
| ICSE Previous Year Question Papers |
| ICSE Sample Papers (Class 2 to Class 10) |
| ICSE Important Questions (Class 6 to Class 10) |
| ICSE Selina Solutions (Class 6 to Class 10) |
| ML Aggarwal Solutions (Class 6 to Class 10) |
| ICSE Revision Notes |
| ICSE Books PDF (Class 8, 9, 10) |
ICSE Textbook Solutions - Selina and ML Aggarwal
The ICSE board does not fix a single textbook for any subject. Most students use popular reference books alongside their school texts. The two most widely used reference books for ICSE are:
Selina Concise Solutions
Selina books are one of the most popular reference books for ICSE students. Each chapter includes questions of varying difficulty - from basic to advanced - helping students test how well they have understood the topic. On Myclass24, you can find complete Selina solutions for Classes 6 to 10, written in a clear, step-by-step format.
| Selina Solutions - Class-wise |
|---|
| ICSE Class 10 Selina Solutions |
| ICSE Class 9 Selina Solutions |
| ICSE Class 8 Selina Solutions |
| ICSE Class 7 Selina Solutions |
| ICSE Class 6 Selina Solutions |
ML Aggarwal Solutions
The ML Aggarwal book is one of the best reference books for Mathematics under the ICSE board. It covers all important topics of the ICSE Maths syllabus with detailed solutions. Myclass24 provides ML Aggarwal solutions for Classes 6 to 10, helping students practise every type of question that might appear in the exam.
| ML Aggarwal Solutions - Class-wise |
|---|
| ML Aggarwal Class 10 Maths Solutions |
| ML Aggarwal Class 9 Maths Solutions |
| ML Aggarwal Class 8 Maths Solutions |
| ML Aggarwal Class 7 Maths Solutions |
| ML Aggarwal Class 6 Maths Solutions |
ICSE Sample Papers 2026-27
Practising ICSE sample papers is one of the most effective ways to prepare for board exams. Sample papers are designed according to the latest ICSE board syllabus and exam pattern, so they give students a realistic idea of what to expect in the actual exam. Regular practice also helps students manage their time better during the exam.
| ICSE Sample Papers - Class-wise |
|---|
| ICSE Sample Papers for Class 2 |
| ICSE Sample Papers for Class 3 |
| ICSE Sample Papers for Class 4 |
| ICSE Sample Papers for Class 5 |
| ICSE Sample Papers for Class 6 |
| ICSE Sample Papers for Class 7 |
| ICSE Sample Papers for Class 8 |
| ICSE Sample Papers for Class 9 |
| ICSE Sample Papers for Class 10 |
ICSE Previous Year Question Papers
Solving ICSE previous year question papers is one of the smartest things a student can do before the board exam. These papers are based on the actual ICSE board curriculum, and working through them helps students understand the question format, identify frequently repeated topics, and reduce exam anxiety.
The more past papers you solve, the more confident you will feel on exam day. Myclass24 provides previous year ICSE question papers for Class 10 with detailed model answers for all subjects.
ICSE Board - Key Contact Details
The CISCE aims to provide quality education that helps students grow as individuals and contribute to society. Below are the official contact details for the ICSE board:
| Name of Board | Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) |
| Established | 1958 |
| Medium of Instruction | English |
| Head Office Address | P-35/36, Sector VI, Pushp Vihar, Saket, New Delhi - 110017 |
| Phone | (011) 29564831 / 29564833 / 29564837 |
| council@cisce.org | |
| Official Website | cisce.org |
| Fax | (011) 29564735 |
ICSE Important Questions
ICSE important questions highlight the topics and question types that are most likely to appear in the board exam. Going through these questions helps students cover the essential parts of the syllabus without missing anything critical. These are available on Myclass24 for Classes 6 to 10 across all subjects.
ICSE Board Affiliation - Guidelines for Schools
Schools that wish to get affiliated with the CISCE board must meet the following conditions:
- The school must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the state government.
- It must be run by a registered society, trust, or company with education as one of its main purposes.
- The school must have a properly formed governing body and managing committee.
- The managing organisation must be financially stable.
- The medium of instruction must be English, and the curriculum must follow CISCE guidelines for secondary and higher secondary stages.
- All teaching staff must hold qualifications recognised by the council.
- A compulsory provident fund scheme for staff must be in place.
- The school building and infrastructure must be adequate for the number of students enrolled.
- Facilities for sports, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities must be available.
- The school must have proper equipment for teaching all subjects, including apparatus for practical work.
- Working days and hours must meet the standards set by the council.
- A Land Certificate must be submitted electronically for provisional affiliation.
How to Prepare for the ICSE Board Exam 2026-27
Preparing well for the ICSE board exam 2026-27 requires the right approach for each subject. Here are some practical tips to help you build a strong study plan:
- Start with the syllabus. Know exactly what topics are included in each subject so you do not waste time on topics that are not in scope.
- Use Selina and ML Aggarwal solutions. These books cover all the important question types and difficulty levels for each chapter.
- Solve sample papers regularly. Aim to complete at least one sample paper per subject every week in the months leading up to the exam.
- Refer to previous year papers. These help you spot important questions and understand how answers are expected to be written.
- Do not ignore internal assessments. Practical scores and project marks contribute to your final result. Give them proper attention.
- Revise consistently. Short, regular revision sessions are more effective than studying for long hours at the last minute.
- Clear doubts early. Do not leave difficult concepts for later. Use Myclass24's doubt-clearing resources and notes to address gaps in understanding as soon as possible.
With the right study material, regular practice, and consistent effort, cracking the ICSE board exam becomes much more achievable. Myclass24 is here to support you at every step of your ICSE board exam 2026-27 journey - from syllabus understanding to final revision.