The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ICSE) has been framed and designed as an Examination in general education through the medium of English. The ICSE Examination ensures a general education without any diversification of studies as all candidates are required to enter for six subjects, English (Compulsory) and be assessed by the school in Socially Useful Productive Work and Community Service (Compulsory).

The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education Examination is a school examination, and the standard of the examination pre-supposes a school course of twelve years duration (Nursery to Class X). At the ICSE level, students have the option to explore opportunities in choice of subjects that encourage them to enhance their performance according to their aptitude and skill.