CBSE, ICSE, IB, IGCSE and UP Board compared
The boards available across Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad differ in syllabus, exam structure and how easily a student can transfer. This page sets out those differences. It does not rank them — the right board depends on your child and your plans, and the individual school usually matters more than the board it follows.
Board comparison table
| Board | Governed by | Board exams | Curriculum | Relative cost | Transfers | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSECentral Board of Secondary Education | Government of India, Ministry of Education | Class 10 and Class 12 | Follows NCERT textbooks. Syllabus is aligned with national engineering and medical entrance exams. | Moderate | Widest school network in India, so transfers between cities are usually straightforward. | English or Hindi medium, plus a third language. |
| ICSE / ISCCouncil for the Indian School Certificate Examinations | Private national board (CISCE) | ICSE at Class 10, ISC at Class 12 | Broader subject spread with substantial weight on English language and literature. | Moderate | Well represented in metros; fewer schools than CBSE in smaller towns. | English medium, with a second and often third language. |
| IBInternational Baccalaureate | International Baccalaureate Organization, Geneva | PYP, MYP and the Diploma Programme in Classes 11–12 | Inquiry-led, with coursework and internal assessment alongside final exams. | Higher | Recognised internationally; moving to an Indian board mid-stream can require catch-up. | English medium, with a second language requirement. |
| IGCSE / CambridgeCambridge Assessment International Education | University of Cambridge | IGCSE around Class 10, AS/A Levels in Classes 11–12 | Modular subject choice with an emphasis on application over recall. | Higher | Strong recognition for study abroad; fewer feeder options within India. | English medium. |
| UP BoardBoard of High School and Intermediate Education, Uttar Pradesh | Government of Uttar Pradesh | High School at Class 10, Intermediate at Class 12 | State syllabus, with strong coverage of regional history, geography and literature. | Lower | Transfers within Uttar Pradesh are simple; moving to another state may need bridging. | Primarily Hindi medium; some schools offer English medium. |
Relative cost compares boards in general terms only. Fees vary far more between individual schools than between boards.
Where each board is common in NCR
- CBSE
- Most widely available board across Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad.
- ICSE / ISC
- Present across NCR, concentrated in older and larger schools.
- IB
- A small number of schools, mainly in Noida and Gurugram.
- IGCSE / Cambridge
- Limited number of schools across NCR.
- UP Board
- Widely available in Ghaziabad, Greater Noida and surrounding districts.
Common questions
- Which board is best for my child?
- There is no single best board. CBSE aligns closely with Indian competitive entrance exams, ICSE puts more weight on English and a broader subject spread, and IB and IGCSE suit families planning to study abroad or relocate. The individual school — its teachers, class sizes and distance from home — usually matters more than the board.
- Can my child change boards mid-school?
- Yes, though it is easiest at natural breaks such as after Class 5 or Class 8. Changing during Classes 9–10 or 11–12 is harder because the board exam syllabus is already underway. Schools set their own transfer rules, so confirm directly with the school you are moving to.
- Do different boards need different books?
- Yes. CBSE schools largely use NCERT titles, while ICSE, IB and IGCSE schools prescribe publisher-specific books that vary school by school. Always buy against the booklist your school issues rather than a generic class-wise list — editions differ, and the wrong edition is not usable.
- What age does my child need to be for Class 1?
- Most schools require a child to have completed six years of age as on 31 March of the year the session starts, in line with the Right to Education norm. Pre-school years run roughly Nursery at three, LKG at four and UKG at five. Individual schools do vary, so confirm the cutoff with the school.
Not sure which class your child joins?
Check the age cutoff for the coming session.
Open the class eligibility checker →