Starting from the 2025-26 academic session, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), which oversees the ICSE and ISC board exams, will implement significant reforms in its academic framework. These changes are aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and are projected to affect over three million students across India, as reported by *The Times of India*.

One of the most notable reforms is the introduction of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) as subjects for students in Classes XI and XII.

For younger students, elements of AI and coding will be woven into the computer science curriculum, focusing on simplifying these technologies for a better understanding. In addition to these new subjects, CISCE plans to launch a holistic progress card designed to assess students' growth across both academic and non-academic areas. This 360-degree evaluation system aims to offer a comprehensive overview of students’ achievements, moving beyond traditional grading methods.

Changes will also be made to the structure of board examinations. By 2025, 25% of exam questions will be competency-based, increasing to 40% by 2026 and 50% by 2027. These questions will prioritize assessing students' core skills and critical thinking abilities over rote memorization.

To further elevate educational standards, CISCE intends to introduce digital assessments for students in Classes III, V, and VIII starting in 2025-26. These assessments will help identify students who require additional support or those who are excelling beyond their grade level. Moreover, a school improvement plan will encourage high-performing schools to collaborate with state governments to enhance the quality of education in government institutions.