Quick answer
The CBSE full form is Central Board of Secondary Education. CBSE is a national board under the Ministry of Education that affiliates schools in India and abroad, prescribes the curriculum for affiliated schools (largely based on NCERT textbooks), and conducts the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations, as well as the CTET for teachers.
- CBSE stands for Central Board of Secondary Education.
- It affiliates schools in India and in many other countries.
- It conducts Class 10 and Class 12 board exams and the CTET.
- Its curriculum follows NCERT textbooks and the NEP 2020 direction.
What does CBSE do?
- Affiliates schools that meet its affiliation bye-laws on land, buildings, staff, and governance.
- Publishes the curriculum for each class and subject every year.
- Conducts the Class 10 (secondary) and Class 12 (senior secondary) board exams.
- Conducts the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET).
- Issues circulars on assessment, safety, teacher training, and school practice.
When was CBSE set up?
CBSE took its present form in 1962, building on an earlier board set up in 1929. Its headquarters are in New Delhi, and it works through regional offices across India. It affiliates government, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, and private schools, as well as schools in other countries, many of them in the Gulf.
What does CBSE affiliation mean for a school?
An affiliated school follows the CBSE curriculum and assessment scheme and presents students for CBSE board exams. Affiliation is applied for and renewed online, and the school must keep its details and compliance up to date. Read how CBSE affiliation works for the steps.
How do CBSE board exams work?
CBSE conducts Class 10 and Class 12 board exams each year, with internal assessment marks from the school. From 2026, Class 10 students can take the board exam twice a year, with the second sitting for improvement. See CBSE board exams twice a year.
How is CBSE different from ICSE and state boards?
| Aspect | CBSE | CISCE (ICSE/ISC) | State boards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run by | Central government body | Private, non-government council | State government |
| Textbooks | Largely NCERT | Prescribed by the council, many publishers | State textbooks, many aligned with NCERT |
| Reach | All states and abroad | All states and some abroad | Mainly within the state |
| Languages | English and Hindi medium common | English medium | State language and English |
What does CBSE mean for school administration?
CBSE schools manage internal assessment, registration of students for board exams, transfer certificates, and data uploads. A school ERP that follows CBSE grading and report formats saves time in each of these. See ERP for CBSE schools and how Hudace SchoolOS handles exams and records.
Frequently asked questions
What is the full form of CBSE?
Central Board of Secondary Education.
Is CBSE a government board?
Yes. It works under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Where is the CBSE headquarters?
New Delhi, with regional offices across India.
Which books do CBSE schools use?
Mainly NCERT textbooks, as prescribed in the CBSE curriculum for each subject.
Are there CBSE schools outside India?
Yes. CBSE affiliates schools in many countries, especially in the Gulf.
Does CBSE conduct NEET and JEE?
Not any more. NEET and JEE Main are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). CBSE conducts its board exams and the CTET.
What is the CBSE official website?
cbse.gov.in, with curriculum and circulars on cbseacademic.nic.in.