The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is a national-level board of school education in India administered by the Government of India through the Ministry of Education. It prescribes curricula, conducts public examinations and affiliates schools across India and in several countries abroad. CBSE is among the largest school examination boards in the country and is widely recognised by Indian universities and professional bodies.
| Name | Central Board of Secondary Education |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | CBSE |
| Type | National school education board |
| Jurisdiction | Government of India |
| Parent ministry | Ministry of Education |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Major examinations | All India Secondary School Examination (Class 10), All India Senior School Certificate Examination (Class 12) |
| Medium of instruction | English and Hindi |
CBSE traces its origins to earlier regional boards of secondary education in India that were reorganised after independence to create a centrally administered body. The Board was established to provide a uniform school examination system, particularly for institutions whose students required mobility across states, such as schools attached to central government services and defence establishments. Over time, its scope expanded to include a large number of private and government schools across India.
The All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE) is conducted for students at the end of Class 10. It serves as the qualifying examination for admission to senior secondary courses.
The All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE) is conducted at the end of Class 12. Its results are used by Indian universities and several professional institutions for admission to undergraduate programmes.
CBSE schools generally follow textbooks published by NCERT, supplemented by Board-issued curriculum documents, sample papers and assessment guidelines. The Board has adopted streams in science, commerce and humanities at the senior secondary level, with a wide selection of elective subjects including languages, vocational subjects and skill courses.
Schools seeking CBSE affiliation must comply with the Board's affiliation byelaws, which specify requirements relating to infrastructure, faculty qualifications, library and laboratory facilities, and adherence to the prescribed curriculum. Affiliated schools include Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, schools run by central government departments, and a large number of private unaided schools. The Board also affiliates a number of Indian-pattern schools located outside India.
CBSE is headed by a Chairperson appointed by the Government of India. The Board is supported by Secretaries, Directors and Controllers handling academic affairs, examinations, affiliation, training and administration. It operates through regional offices located in different parts of the country to handle affiliation, examinations and student services at the regional level.
Because CBSE provides a common curriculum and examination across states and abroad, it is widely chosen by families with transferable employment, including central government and defence personnel. Its certificates are recognised by Indian universities and by many foreign institutions for admission purposes. The Board's curriculum and assessment practices also influence school education policy debates in India.