The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is developing a global curriculum for its overseas schools, which may also be available to other international schools and CBSE-affiliated institutions in India, officials said.

The curriculum is set to be introduced in the 2026-27 academic session. A meeting has been scheduled this week to finalize details before the draft is made public.

Last week, the Union Education Minister directed CBSE to prepare a detailed action plan outlining the framework and implementation strategy for the curriculum.

“The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) and aims to provide a globally competitive, flexible learning experience. CBSE’s foreign schools will adopt the curriculum first, but international schools affiliated with other boards and CBSE schools in India will also have the option to implement it,” a senior board official stated.

CBSE previously introduced the CBSE-i (CBSE-International) curriculum in 2010 as a pilot program in select schools in India and abroad. It emphasized inquiry-based, skill-oriented education with a global approach. However, due to operational challenges and limited adoption, the program was discontinued in 2017.

The proposed global curriculum aims to position CBSE alongside Cambridge International (CI) and International Baccalaureate (IB). Unlike traditional CBSE syllabi, the new framework will be less rigid, integrating elements from CBSE’s national curriculum to maintain a balance between Indian and global education standards.

Currently, CBSE does not offer an international curriculum, and most international schools in India follow CI, IB, or CISCE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations).

“The launch of this curriculum will expand CBSE’s offerings, giving schools a globally aligned yet adaptable syllabus,” the official added.

With finalization expected in the coming months, CBSE is preparing to re-enter the international education sector. The April 2026 rollout aims to provide students with a curriculum that blends national priorities with global learning standards.