The Indian School Certificate (ISC) examination is conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), a private, non-governmental board of school education in India. Established in 1958, the council conducts the ISC examination for Class 12 students across its affiliated schools nationwide. The ISC examination is equivalent to the senior secondary examination and is widely recognized by universities and colleges in India as well as internationally.
Having the right textbooks and study materials is crucial for ISC students to excel academically. The book list prescribed by the council for the academic year 2019-20 provides a comprehensive guide to the recommended resources for various subjects across different streams. These books are carefully selected to ensure they cover the syllabus comprehensively while providing students with quality content that facilitates conceptual understanding.
The prescribed book list for ISC students serves several important purposes:
For students pursuing Science in ISC (2019-20), the following textbooks are recommended:
| Subject | Book Title | Publisher/Author |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Concepts of Physics (Volume 1 & 2) | HC Verma |
| Physics | ISC Physics for Class XII | P.C. Verma & R.K. Sharma |
| Chemistry | ISC Chemistry for Class XII | R.D. Madan & B.S. Bisht |
| Mathematics | Understanding ISC Mathematics Class XII | M.L. Agrawal |
| Biology | ISC Biology for Class XII | Veer Bala Rastogi |
| Computer Science | ISC Computer Science with Java for Class XII | Vinod Kumar |
| Biotechnology | ISC Biotechnology for Class XII | Rajesh Kumar Singh |
| Environmental Science | Environmental Science Class XII | R. Rajagopalan |
For Commerce students in ISC (2019-20), the following textbooks are recommended:
| Subject | Book Title | Publisher/Author |
|---|---|---|
| Accountancy | Accountancy for Class XII | C.B. Gupta |
| Accountancy | Double Entry Book Keeping | T.S. Grewal |
| Business Studies | Business Studies for Class XII | C.B. Gupta |
| Economics | Introductory Microeconomics | N.C.E.R.T. |
| Economics | Introductory Macroeconomics | N.C.E.R.T. |
| Mathematics | ISC Mathematics for Class XII | M.L. Agrawal |
| Commerce | Commercial Studies | Rajesh Goel |
For Arts/Humanities students in ISC (2019-20), the following textbooks are recommended:
| Subject | Book Title | Publisher/Author |
|---|---|---|
| History | Themes in Indian History (Parts I, II & III) | N.C.E.R.T. |
| History | ISC History for Class XII | K.N. Chitnis |
| Political Science | Contemporary World Politics | N.C.E.R.T. |
| Political Science | Politics in India Since Independence | N.C.E.R.T. |
| Geography | Practical Work in Geography | N.C.E.R.T. |
| Sociology | Indian Society | N.C.E.R.T. |
| Psychology | Introduction to Psychology | N.C.E.R.T. |
Regardless of the stream chosen, all ISC students must study the following compulsory subjects:
| Subject | Book Title | Publisher/Author |
|---|---|---|
| English | ISC Literature in English for Class XII | Nicholas Horsburgh |
| English | ISC English Language for Class XII | David Green |
| English | The Tempest | William Shakespeare |
| English | The Hound of the Baskervilles | Arthur Conan Doyle |
| Second Language (Hindi) | Vigyan (Hindi Course-B) | N.C.E.R.T. |
The 2019-20 academic year saw several significant updates in the ISC book list:
Note: Some schools may prescribe additional books or supplementary materials beyond this list. Always consult your school's specific book list and follow the recommendations of your subject teachers.
You can find the prescribed ISC books through the following channels:
The ISC Education Book List for 2019-20 provides students with a structured approach to their studies across various streams. Using the prescribed textbooks ensures comprehensive coverage of the syllabus and alignment with examination patterns. The carefully curated list reflects the council's commitment to providing quality educational resources that facilitate conceptual understanding rather than rote learning.
Success in ISC examinations depends not just on having the right books but also on how effectively students utilize them throughout the academic year. Regular study, active participation in classroom learning, consistent revision using these prescribed resources, and proper time management will help students achieve their academic goals.
