The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has confirmed that the global curriculum currently being developed for its international schools will also be made available to other international institutions and CBSE-affiliated schools in India. The board is set to implement this curriculum from the 2026-27 academic session.
The forthcoming curriculum is designed to compete with established international boards such as Cambridge International (CI) and the International Baccalaureate (IB). It aims to provide a flexible and less rigid learning framework, aligning with global educational standards while maintaining elements of the Indian education system.
This initiative forms part of broader educational reforms linked to the National Education Policy (NEP). The goal is to offer students greater flexibility and a globally competitive academic experience. International schools currently affiliated with other boards will have the option to adopt this curriculum, and CBSE-affiliated schools in India will also be eligible to integrate it into their existing programmes.
CBSE has previously attempted to introduce an international curriculum. In 2010, it launched CBSE-i (Central Board of Secondary Education – International) as a pilot programme in select schools in India and abroad. However, due to operational challenges and limited uptake, the initiative was discontinued in 2017. CBSE-i was designed as an internationally benchmarked curriculum that promoted inquiry-based, skill-oriented learning with a global perspective. It incorporated interdisciplinary learning, research-based projects, and a focus on communication and critical thinking skills.
The new global curriculum is expected to integrate elements from CBSE’s national curriculum while incorporating best practices from international educational frameworks. The aim is to strike a balance between the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) syllabus and the curricula offered by international boards.
At present, CBSE does not provide an international curriculum, and most international schools in India are affiliated with CI, IB, or the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). With the introduction of this curriculum, CBSE will expand its educational offerings, providing schools with an additional choice that aligns with global learning standards while remaining adaptable to local needs.
As CBSE finalises the pedagogical structure and framework in the coming months, the board is preparing to re-establish its presence in the international education sector. The anticipated launch in April 2026 is expected to offer students a curriculum that integrates national educational priorities with globally recognised learning methodologies.
