How is CBSE Different from NCERT?

Are CBSE and NCERT the same?

Is CBSE better than NCERT? When it comes to education, most parents and children often get confused between CBSE and NCERT difference. Some think they are similar. Some think that one is better than the other. For all those who have little or no knowledge about the difference between CBSE and NCERT, this article is for you.

Understanding the Difference Between CBSE and NCERT

To begin with, CBSE and NCERT are different. CBSE stands for Central Board of Secondary Education, and it is a popular education board. NCERT is the National Council of Education Research and Training. Let us know how different these two academic bodies are from each other.

Significance of CBSE and NCERT

CBSE is a board of education and a preferred choice to many. It is a governing body. NCERT is the publishing organization or publisher that publishes books for the CBSE subjects. Most of the CBSE-affiliated schools follow the NCERT textbooks. Let us understand the significance of the duo. CBSE is the primary board that conducts board examinations for both public and private schools across India. These board exams are for class 10 and class 12, conducted every year. Further, this governing body even directs all its affiliated schools to follow the NCERT syllabus and textbooks. In other words, the CBSE is recognized by NCERT.

Significance of CBSE

1. Standardized Education: CBSE provides a uniform curriculum across its affiliated schools, ensuring consistency in education quality nationwide. This standardization facilitates smooth transitions for students moving between schools in different regions.
2. National Recognition: CBSE is widely recognized by higher education institutions in India, making it easier for students to gain admission to colleges and universities. The CBSE certification is respected and accepted across the country.
3. Holistic Development: The CBSE curriculum emphasizes not just academic excellence but also the overall development of students through co-curricular activities, sports, and arts. This approach fosters well-rounded individuals.
4. Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE): CBSE employs a CCE system that assesses students through various methods, reducing the pressure of final exams and encouraging a focus on learning rather than rote memorization.
5. Support for Transferable Jobs: CBSE caters to students whose parents are in transferable jobs, providing a consistent educational framework that allows for continuity in learning across different locations.

Significance of NCERT

1. Curriculum Development: NCERT plays a crucial role in developing the curriculum and textbooks that align with the educational goals of CBSE, ensuring that the content is relevant and up-to-date.
2. Resource Creation: As a leading educational organization, NCERT publishes textbooks and educational materials that are widely used in CBSE-affiliated schools, providing students with quality resources for their studies.
3. Teacher Training: NCERT conducts training programs for teachers, enhancing their skills and methodologies, which in turn improves the quality of education delivered in classrooms.
4. Research and Innovation: NCERT engages in educational research and the development of innovative teaching practices, contributing to the evolution of teaching and learning in India.
5. Universal Education Goals: NCERT acts as a nodal agency to promote universal access to education, working towards the goal of making quality education available to all students across the country.

Role of NCERT

1. Curriculum Development: NCERT is responsible for developing and revising the national curriculum framework, ensuring that it aligns with contemporary educational needs and policies. This framework serves as a guideline for schools across India.
2. Textbook Publication: NCERT prepares and publishes textbooks for various subjects and grade levels, which are widely used in CBSE-affiliated schools. These textbooks are designed to promote conceptual understanding and cater to diverse learning needs.
3. Teacher Training: NCERT conducts pre-service and in-service training programs for teachers, enhancing their pedagogical skills and subject knowledge. This training is crucial for improving the quality of education in classrooms.
4. Educational Research: NCERT undertakes research in areas related to school education, contributing to policy formulation and the development of innovative teaching practices. The findings from this research inform curriculum and instructional material development.
5. Resource Development: It creates additional learning resources, such as manuals and instructional materials, to support teachers and students in the educational process.
6. Policy Advisory Role: NCERT advises the Ministry of Education on educational policies and programs, playing a significant role in shaping the educational landscape in India.
7. International Collaboration: NCERT engages with international organizations to address educational challenges and share best practices, enhancing its impact on global educational standards.

Role of CBSE

1. Conducting Examinations: CBSE is primarily responsible for conducting board examinations for Class 10 (AISSE) and Class 12 (AISSCE), certifying students’ completion of their secondary and senior secondary education.
2. Affiliation of Schools: CBSE affiliates schools across India, ensuring that they adhere to the prescribed curriculum and standards. This affiliation helps maintain a uniform educational framework.
3. Curriculum Implementation: While NCERT develops the curriculum, CBSE implements it in its affiliated schools, ensuring that the teaching methodologies align with national standards.
4. Educational Policies: CBSE contributes to the formulation of educational policies and frameworks in collaboration with NCERT, helping to enhance the quality of education in the country.
5. Entrance Examinations: CBSE conducts various entrance examinations for professional courses, facilitating students’ admission to higher education institutions.
6. Promoting Holistic Education: CBSE emphasizes the overall development of students by encouraging participation in co-curricular activities, sports, and arts, alongside academic learning

Connection and Complement of NCERT Books and CBSE

The CBSE and NCERT have a connection with each other. Let us learn how these educational bodies are related to and complement each other.

We have mentioned earlier that the central board recommends using the books published by the NCERT solutions. The reason is that you can expect all the questions for the class 10 and 12 final exams from the NCERT books. It is not confined to the board exams alone. The other exams conducted during the academic year by the state and center CBSE-affiliated schools take questions directly from the NCERT books. Irrespective of the subject, chapter, or topic, the questions or problems are from these books. You can solve or answer them by following the NCERT books.

Here is an example- The NCERT solutions is a study material for classes 1 to 12. It helps the students to gain a better understanding of the topics and subjects. Furthermore, it helps them improve their grades and score in their exams.

Some may ask if it is mandatory to use NCERT books for the CBSE and its affiliated schools. Well, it is not a mandate. Some schools do not recommend it either. However, there are a majority of affiliated schools that prescribe NCERT books in their curriculum along with other books. The above explanation should answer your question. If you still feel dissatisfied, we would like to add a few more points to our discussion.

It would give you a better understanding. The reason why most schools recommend the NCERT books is because they help the students with a thorough and comprehensive study of the concept. Moreover, the NCERT materials are the basis for your board exams preparation. The old question papers of CBSE exams will have questions that are taken from NCERT books.

Conclusion

CBSE and NCERT are two different organizations. However, they complement each other and are closely related. If you are a student appearing for the CBSE board exams, you should definitely study the NCERT books. You can score optimum marks in your board papers by studying these books. They will help you in clarifying the concepts and teaching their applications. You cannot expect questions beyond these in your CBSE board examinations. These books give you a thorough understanding of complex topics. They are a helpful resource for other competitive entrance exams like JEE and NEET.

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FAQs on Difference Between CBSE and NCERT

Is CBSE more difficult than NCERT?

CBSE and NCERT are not directly comparable in terms of difficulty level. CBSE is an educational board that conducts examinations and provides certification, while NCERT is an organization that develops educational resources like textbooks and teaching materials. The difficulty level of CBSE exams depends on various factors, such as the subject, the level of the student, and the specific questions asked. NCERT textbooks are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, but the difficulty level may vary depending on the grade level and the specific topic. Ultimately, the difficulty level is subjective and can vary from student to student based on their individual strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles.

Is NCERT owned by CBSE?

No, NCERT is not owned by CBSE. NCERT and CBSE are separate entities with distinct roles and responsibilities. NCERT is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, while CBSE is a board of education that conducts examinations and provides certification to affiliated schools. NCERT develops educational resources like textbooks and teaching materials, which are used by various educational boards, including CBSE. However, NCERT is not owned or controlled by CBSE.

Do CBSE students study NCERT?

Yes, CBSE students study NCERT textbooks. CBSE recommends the use of NCERT textbooks for its affiliated schools, and the questions asked in CBSE exams are often directly based on the content from NCERT textbooks. While CBSE schools have the flexibility to use other textbooks as well, NCERT textbooks are widely used and considered essential for CBSE students to prepare for their board exams and other competitive examinations.

Do CBSE schools use NCERT books?

Yes, most CBSE schools use NCERT textbooks. CBSE recommends the use of NCERT textbooks for its affiliated schools, and the questions asked in CBSE exams are often directly based on the content from NCERT textbooks. While CBSE schools have the flexibility to use other textbooks as well, NCERT textbooks are widely used and considered essential for CBSE students to prepare for their board exams and other competitive examinations. The teaching methodology recommended by NCERT is student-centric and aims to promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students.

What is the main difference between NCERT and CBSE?

NCERT is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education responsible for developing educational resources, including curriculum guidelines, textbooks, and teacher training programs. In contrast, CBSE is a national-level board that oversees the academic standards of affiliated schools, conducts board examinations for classes 10 and 12, and ensures compliance with the prescribed curriculum.