If you are a resident in India and considering your options for education, you may be wondering what choices you have available to you. Alternatively, you may be living outside India but would love to explore Universities within India. Here we will cover as much information as we can to give you a better oversight to the education system in India.
India – The Education System
India is home to the largest and most complex education system in the world. This could be due to their large population which was estimated at 1.38 billion in 2020.
In most states, the school day in India is from Monday to Saturday. Saturdays may be a half day rather than a full day or students may study every other Saturday.
The school year is typically from June or July to April or early May. The longest school holidays normally take place from May as it is the hottest month in most states. Therefore, exam preparation normally begins in February with exams falling in March/April.
The school system in India has four levels:
- primary (age 6 to 10) (grades 1-5)
- upper primary (11 and 14) (grades 6-8)
- secondary (14 to 16) (grades 9-10)
- higher secondary (ages 16 to 18) (grades 11-12)
Educational boards in India
- State government boards – State government boards are regulated by the Department of School Education. The majority of Indian schools are affiliated with state government boards.
- The Central Board of Secondary Education – The CBSE works with both public and private schools in India. The board arranges exams for AISSC at grade 10, and the AISSCE at Grade 12. It also conducts AIEEE and AIPMT / NEET-UG examinations for admission to undergraduate courses in engineering and medicine in numerous colleges across India. The CBSE is recognised by the Indian government and most of the universities and colleges in India.
- The Council of Indian School Certificate Examinations – The CISCE conducts the ICSE (Indian School Certificate Examinations, at Grade 10) and Indian School Certificate (at Grade 12) examinations in India.
- National Institute of Open Schooling – NIOS is the board responsible for distance education under the government of India.
International boards in India
- International Baccalaureate Organisation – The IB is recognised by the Association of Indian Universities as an entry qualification (equivalent to +2 qualification of an Indian Board)
to all universities in India. - Cambridge Assessment International Education – provider of international qualifications offering examinations and qualifications worldwide. There are over 400 Cambridge schools in India making over 50,000 examination entries for Cambridge IGCSE, ‘the world’s most popular international qualification for 14 to 16-year olds. Cambridge also offers International AS- and A-Levels, offering 55 subjects to enable learners to gain university places worldwide.
- The Council of Boards of School Education – a voluntary association of all the Boards of School Education in India.
Comparing CBSE / CISCE / International Baccalaureate Organisation / Cambridge Assessment International Education
Programme Structure: CBSE
| Grades and ages | Curriculum | Assessment | Key subjects |
| 1–8 (ages 6–14) | No prescribed syllabus from board, but recommends syllabus laid down by NCERT | Internal assessment conducted by the teachers (no formal periodic tests, no awarding of grades or marks for primary levels; no detention till Grade 8) | Languages Env. Studies Science and Social Science integrated Mathematics |
| 9, 10 (ages 14–16) | Syllabus as prescribed by the CBSE | Grade 9 – Internal assessment in accordance with the guidelines of the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system Grade 10 (having higher secondary levels) – Internal assessment; students are provided a Certificate of School Based Assessment Grade 10 (secondary schools, or for students who wish to move out of the CBSE system) – External assessment (AISSE examination) | Mathematics Social Studies Science English and one other language as compulsory and one out of Information Education Home Science and Physical Education as optional |
| 11, 12 (ages 16–18) | Syllabus as prescribed by the CBSE | Grade 11 – Internal assessment conducted by the teachers Grade 12 – External assessment in the form of AISSCE examination | Various combinations of subjects as per interest |
Programme Structure: CISCE
| Grades and ages | Curriculum | Assessment | Key subjects |
| 1–8 (ages 6–14) | No prescribed syllabus from board, but recommends the Inter- State Board for Anglo Indian Education | Internal assessment with annual examinations conducted at the school level | English, Env. Edu, Maths, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) |
| 9, 10 (ages 14–16) | Syllabus as prescribed by the CISCE | Grade 9 – Internal assessment with annual examinations conducted at the school level Grade 10 – Internal and external assessments (ICSE examination) | Compulsory subjects: English, 2nd language, History, Civics, Geography, Environmental Education, + 3 electives to be chosen from a list of courses |
| 11, 12 (ages 16–18) | Syllabus as prescribed by the CISCE | Grade 11 – Internal assessment with annual examinations conducted at the school level Grade 12 – Internal and external assessments (ISC examination) | Compulsory subjects: English and Environmental Education, + 3, 4 or 5 electives to be chosen from the list of courses |
Programme Structure: International Baccalaureate Organisation
| Grades and ages | Curriculum | Assessment | Key subjects |
| Primary Years Programme (ages 3–12) | Curriculum prescribed by IBO | Internal assessment with a continuous evaluation and conducted by the teachers based on certain pre- decided criterion (by the IB) | Language; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies; Arts; Personal, Social and Physical Education |
| Middle Years Programme (ages 11–16) | Curriculum prescribed by IBO | Internal assessment with a continuous evaluation and conducted by the teachers based on certain pre- decided criterion (by the IB) | Languages (2), Humanities, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical Education, Technology |
| Diploma Programme (ages 16–19) | Curriculum prescribed by IBO | External assessment in the form of examinations conducted at the end of the diploma program. These are marked by external examiners. Marks are awarded from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest) for each subject. A minimum of 24 points is required for the student to receive the diploma certificate | One subject from each of the following groups – Languages, Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences, Arts, Mathematics and Computer Science |
Programme Structure: Cambridge Assessment International Education
| Grades and ages | Curriculum | Assessment | Key subjects |
| Primary (ages 5–11) | Curriculum prescribed by CAIE | Cambridge Primary Progression Tests (marked in school) Cambridge Primary Checkpoint (marked by Cambridge examiners) | Mathematics, English and Science Global perspectives ICT |
| Lower secondary I (ages 11–14) | Curriculum prescribed by CAIE | Cambridge Lower secondary Progression Tests (marked in school) Cambridge Lower secondary Checkpoint (marked by Cambridge examiners) | Mathematics, English and Science Global perspectives ICT |
| Upper secondary – IGCSE, GCE O-level (ages 14–16) | Curriculum prescribed by CAIE | Assessments include written, oral, coursework and practical assessment. Grading provided using eight internationally recognised grades, A* to G (six grades for O-level), with clear guidelines to explain standard of achievement for each. Marks and percentage provided for Indian learners | Over 70 subjects offered (40 subjects for O-level) divided into five groups |
| GCE Advanced Levels – A-/ AS-levels, Pre-U (ages 16–19) | Curriculum prescribed by CIE | AS-level only (syllabus content is half that of A-level) ‘Staged’ assessment route All papers of A-level course in the same examination session, usually at the end of the course | About 55 subjects offered (for A/AS); 26 subjects offered for Pre-U |
You live in India and want to remain in India – What are your options?
As you can see from the above boards, you have plenty of options available and different routes to choose from. Whether you follow CBSE, CISCE, International Baccalaureate Organisation or Cambridge Assessment International Education, you will gain recognised qualifications at the end of the course.
It is worth planning ahead and if there is a university/college you have in mind, find out their entry requirements so that you can ensure you are able to meet their application criteria.
You would love to study a degree in India and you currently live outside India – What are your options?
There are many reasons why you are probably interested to study an undergraduate degree in India. For starters India has the world’s second-largest higher education system. India also has the second-largest English-speaking population in the world.
Another advantage is that tuition fees are low compared to other countries and the cost of living in India is reasonable.
Universities in India typically offer three-year undergraduate degree programmes, although engineering and medical programmes are taught over four and five-and-a-half years respectively. Again, you need to be researching the university/college you would like to attend and find out their requirements. Here are some interesting points to consider:
- All university degrees in India are taught in English.
- Most universities in India reserve approximately 10–15 per cent of their places for international students.
Cambridge International A Levels (GCE Advanced Levels) – India
International A Levels are an excellent option for everyone. If you reside in India and want to attend a University in India or if you live outside India, and want to attend university within India, most institutions will accept GCE Advanced Levels. If you are unsure of how to apply to study in India, here are some tips:
- Only apply to places recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). These places would certainly be able to award degrees.
- For technical courses, you need to check that the institution and the specific campus are approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to offer undergraduate degrees.
- Some universities have limited intakes.
- Private universities have state-of-the-art infrastructure and offer new age programmes designed to meet industry needs, but they are more expensive.
- Entry into the Institutes of National Importance is highly competitive.
- Deemed universities (deemed-to-be-universities) are as good as private universities.
The process for applying begins in May every year. You will need to complete an application form for all universities. Some (not all) universities have a centralised admission process and use a common online application form which allows you to apply to multiple colleges.
All universities across India welcome applications from Cambridge students. Here is a sample list of universities that have admission policies for Cambridge International A Levels.
North India
Aligarh Muslim University
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Ashoka University
BITS Pilani
O P Jindal Global University
Panjab University
Punjab University, Chandigarh
Shiv Nadar University
University of Delhi
University of Rajasthan.
West India
Goa University
Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda National Institute of Design
NMIMS University
Sardar Patel University
Symbiosis International University University of Gujarat
University of Mumbai
University of Pune.
South India
Anna University
Bangalore University
Central University of Tamil Nadu
Christ University
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology Krea University
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
SRM Institute of Science and Technology University of Hyderabad
University of Kerala
University of Madras.
East India
Central University of Jharkhand Gauhati University
Jadavpur University
KIIT University
Manipur International University North-Eastern Hill University Presidency University
Sikkim Manipal University
St. Xavier’s University University of Calcutta.
Cambridge International A Levels – Exams in India
Cambridge International Education (CIE) offer International A Level and IGCSE exams for some subjects in March aswell as June and November. This is for India only and is offered so that learners can meet college / university deadlines. If a learner sits exams in the March series, results are normally available in May.