Few decisions worry Kharghar parents as much as the choice of board. Kharghar has well-known schools under both CBSE and ICSE, and every family seems to have a strong opinion. We teach students from both boards, in separate batches, so we see the differences every day. Here is our honest view.
The basics
- CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) is a national board under the Government of India. It uses NCERT textbooks, and conducts the Class 10 and Class 12 board exams.
- ICSE is the Class 10 exam of CISCE (the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations), a national, non-government board. Its Class 12 exam is called ISC.
Both are recognised across India and abroad. Neither is a “lower” or “higher” board.
The real differences
Syllabus: focused vs detailed
CBSE’s syllabus is more focused, and closely follows NCERT books. ICSE covers many subjects in more detail. In Class 10 Mathematics, for example, ICSE includes commercial maths such as GST, banking and shares and dividends, which CBSE does not.
English and written answers
ICSE places strong weight on English: language and literature are separate papers, and literature texts are studied closely. Across subjects, ICSE papers usually expect longer, well-structured written answers. CBSE papers include more short-answer, objective and case-based questions.
Subjects and workload
ICSE students in Classes 9 and 10 usually study more separate subjects, such as History and Civics and Geography as separate papers, and Physics, Chemistry and Biology as three papers. This can feel heavier, especially for students who find writing slow.
Internal assessment
Both boards include internal assessment through projects, practicals and school tests. In most ICSE subjects it is 20 marks of 100. CBSE also counts internal assessment alongside the board paper. In both, these marks are earned through the year and cannot be made up at the end.
Board exams
From 2026, CBSE holds two Class 10 board exams a year: a main exam in February–March, and an optional exam in May for improving marks. See our CBSE Class 10 2027 guide. ICSE holds its Class 10 board exams once a year, usually in February–March. See our ICSE Class 10 2027 plan.
What happens after Class 10
For students aiming at engineering or medicine, the JEE and NEET syllabi are closely aligned with NCERT, which gives CBSE students a convenient overlap. ICSE students who move to ISC, or to CBSE, for Classes 11 and 12 also prepare for these exams successfully, usually with some extra NCERT practice. Many students switch boards after Class 10; switching in the middle of Classes 9 and 10 is much harder.
For students leaning towards the humanities, languages, law or design, the ICSE emphasis on reading and writing can be a real strength.
How to choose for your child
- How does your child learn? A child who enjoys reading and writing often thrives in ICSE. A child who prefers a focused syllabus and lots of problem practice may find CBSE comfortable.
- What are their likely plans after Class 10? If engineering or medicine entrance exams are likely, CBSE’s NCERT base is convenient, but it is not the only route.
- Will you move cities? CBSE schools are found in more towns across India, which helps families who relocate.
- Which school suits your child? In practice, the school, its teachers and its distance from home often matter more than the board.
CBSE and ICSE schools in Kharghar
These are some of the main CBSE and ICSE schools in Kharghar, as listed by the schools and school directories. Some schools also run other boards, such as Cambridge or the state board, so check with the school directly.
CBSE schools in Kharghar
- Apeejay School, Sector 21
- Bal Bharati Public School, Sector 4
- DAV International School, Sector 15
- Empyrean School
- Greenfingers Global School, Sector 12
- Radcliffe School, Sector 8
- Ramsheth Thakur Public School, Sector 19
ICSE schools in Kharghar
- Convent of Jesus and Mary, Sector 6
- Ryan International School, Sector 11
- Sanjivani International School, Sector 18
- Saviors Global School, Sector 19
- VIBGYOR High, Sector 15
- Vishwajyot High School, Sector 20
TBTLC is an independent coaching centre and is not affiliated with any of these schools. The list is for parents’ reference and may not be complete.
CBSE and ICSE coaching at TBTLC, Kharghar
At The Banyan Tree Learning Center in Sector 20, Kharghar, CBSE and ICSE students always study in separate batches of up to 20, so each board is taught in its own order and depth. ICSE students can also join our dedicated ICSE Achievers track. If you are still choosing a coaching class, our parent’s checklist may help.
Frequently asked questions
Which board is better, CBSE or ICSE?
Neither is better for every child. CBSE has a more focused syllabus that matches national entrance exams closely. ICSE covers subjects in more depth and places more weight on English and written answers. The better board is the one that suits how your child learns and what they plan to study.
Is CBSE better for JEE and NEET?
The JEE and NEET syllabi are closely aligned with NCERT, which CBSE follows, so CBSE students often find the overlap convenient. ICSE and ISC students do prepare for and clear these exams too, usually with some extra work on NCERT books.
Can my child switch from ICSE to CBSE after Class 10?
Yes. Many students move from ICSE in Class 10 to CBSE, ISC or the state board for Classes 11 and 12. Switching in the middle of Classes 9 and 10 is much harder, because both boards treat these as a two-year course.
Do universities prefer one board over the other?
No. Both CBSE and CISCE (ICSE and ISC) are recognised across India and by universities abroad.
Talk to us about your child
CBSE and ICSE batches for Grades 8–12 at Sector 20, Kharghar. Admissions for 2027–28 are open.