ISC Class 12: Subject Combinations, Streams, Project Work & English Requirement

ISC (Indian School Certificate) is the Class 12 board examination conducted by CISCE. English Language is compulsory for all ISC students. Beyond that, the curriculum allows combinations across Science, Commerce, and Humanities subjects — giving students the flexibility to build a combination suited to their higher-education goals.

Project work and practical examinations are a significant feature of ISC. In science subjects, the practical examination and project component together form a substantial part of the final marks. ISC does not enforce a rigid stream classification; what matters is whether your chosen subject combination meets the eligibility requirements of the university course or competitive examination you are targeting.

ISC subject combination framework

CategoryDetails
Compulsory subjectEnglish Language (Paper 1 and Paper 2 are both examined)
Science-aligned combinationPhysics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics (choose subjects based on target entrance examination or degree)
Commerce-aligned combinationAccounts, Business Studies, Economics, Mathematics
Humanities-aligned combinationHistory, Political Science, Geography, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Elective English, and more
Project work requirementMost subjects include a project or practical component; these marks are included in the final result

Subject availability varies by school. Confirm your combination with your school and the current CISCE Regulations & Syllabuses before Class 11 admission.

Choosing your ISC subjects wisely

  1. Start with English — it is compulsory — All ISC students sit for English Language. Choose your remaining subjects based on your higher-education goal, not only on what feels comfortable.
  2. Match subjects to your target course or exam — If you are aiming for engineering entrances, take Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. For medicine, take Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. For commerce degrees, take Accounts, Business Studies, and Economics. Check the eligibility requirements of your target course before locking in.
  3. Plan for practicals and projects early — Science subjects include a separate practical examination, and most subjects have a project component. These cannot be left to the last month.
  4. Understand that ISC marks count for college admissions — Many universities use the ISC percentage as a key criterion. Understanding how your best-subject combination is calculated for your target colleges matters from Class 11.
  5. Confirm current regulations — Syllabus details, subject eligibility, and project requirements are published in the official CISCE Regulations & Syllabuses for ISC. Check these at the start of Class 11.

New ISC subjects from the 2027 cycle: The 2027 CISCE Regulations and Syllabuses introduced Artificial Intelligence and Robotics as a new ISC subject, and Bhutia as a new language subject at both ICSE and ISC. For the most current subject list for your exam year, check the official Regulations & Syllabuses on cisce.org.

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