The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education - ICSE examination is an examination conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations for class 10, i.e., grade 10. It has been designed to provide an examination in a course of general education, in accordance with the recommendations of the New Education Policy 1986 (India), through the medium of English. The examination allows secure suitable representation of Governments responsible for schools (which are affiliated to it) in their States/Territories. Private candidates are not permitted to appear for this examination.

In all subjects other than Science and Computers, students must submit compulsory coursework assignments. In groups I and II they count for 20% of the student's performance in the subject; in group III the assignments count for 50%. In Science and Computers, students are tested on their labwork.

In subjects where there is more than one paper, the mark in the subject is calculated by taking the average of all papers in the subject.

Subjects:

Candidates appearing for the examination have to study seven subjects, with anywhere from 1 to 3 papers in each subject. The subjects allowed are:

Group I:

All subjects in this group are compulsory.

• English - 1 Literature paper + 1 Language paper.
• History, Civics and Geography - 1 combined History and Civics paper + 1 Geography paper.
• A second language - 1 combined Literature and Language paper.

Group II:

Though the students have a choice, it is generally assumed that they will take Mathematics and Science. Students wishing to take up other subjects must be apprised of the implications. They must study two subjects from this list:

• Mathematics - 1 paper
• Science - 1 Physics paper + 1 Chemistry paper + 1 Biology paper (with lab classes in all three)
• Economics - 1 paper
• Commercial Studies - 1 paper
• Technical Drawing - 1 paper
• A Modern Foreign Language - 1 paper
• A Classical Language - 1 paper
• Computer Science - 1 paper (with work on a computer)
• Environmental Science - 1 paper
• Agricultural Science - 1 paper (with relevant field work)

Group III:

Any one of the following:

• Computer Applications - 1 paper (with work on a computer)
• Economic Applications - 1 paper
• Commercial Applications - 1 paper
• Art - 2 papers out of a total of 4 (with sculpting etc. to be taught in school)
• Performing Arts - 1 paper (with practical work in school)
• Home Science - 1 paper
• Cookery - 1 paper
• Fashion Designing - 1 paper (with relevant practical work)
• Physical Education - 1 paper (with practical work)
• Yoga - 1 paper (with practical work)
• Technical Drawing Applications - 1 paper
• Environmental Applications - 1 paper
• A Modern Foreign Language - 1 paper

The choice of subjects offered in Groups II and III depends on the school.

The certificate has international equivalence and is accepted by most international Universities.