Students appearing in ISC (Class XII) examinations will have to pass in English plus four subjects to clear the board exams from 2027, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) said.

 

In the existing system, ISC students are required to pass in English plus three subjects to qualify the test.

The council has decided to introduce another change in ISC examination system, the council said. Students who enrol themselves in Class XI this year will be able to choose between English and Modern English and math and applied math. 

 

” To qualify the ISC Examination, a candidate will be required to attain pass standard in five or six subjects (instead of four or more subjects) which must include the subject English / Modern English and a pass grade in SUPW and community service as assessed internally by the school,” Joseph Emmanuel, the chief executive and secretary of CISCE said in a circular sent to heads of its affiliated schools on Wednesday evening.

All candidates for the examination must choose between English and Modern English with four or five elective subjects ( instead of three, four or five elective subjects), the council said in the circular.

 

As for the change in math, the council said students who want to pursue humanities, commerce, economics, biosciences, social sciences and other related fields can choose applied math. 

 

The subject mathematics is suitable for students who wish to pursue a career in mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, architecture and other related subjects, the council said.

 

The decision aims to ensure that students do not face difficulties in seeking admissions to different courses at the undergraduate level as several universities prefer pass marks in English and four elective subjects.

 

However, the council will not permit students to opt a number of combinations such as English with Modern English, nathematics with applied mathematics, physics with engineering science, robotics with artificial intelligence, geometrical and mechanical drawing with geometrical and building drawing.

 

The CISCE had announced its decision on offering students the option to choose between English and Modern English and math and applied math in July last year.

 

The council in its February 12 circular also announced that it will issue a single document -Pass Certificate cum Statement of Marks for candidates who qualify the ISC and ICSE (Class X) examinations from 2027.

 

In the existing system the council issues statement of marks and pass certificates. In the revised system, the term pass Certificate awarded not awarded will be replaced by “Qualified/Not Qualified”.