Higher Secondary Examination (also known as HSC or 12th board examination) is a centralised examination for class 12 students in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. All the State School Education Boards, CBSE, CISCE and NIOS conduct exams during the period of March–April every year for students in their affiliated private and public schools. The number of subjects, types of examination (theoretical, practical or both) and grading methods differ among the boards and states. Clearing HSC is mandatory for pursuing higher education or undergraduate courses in India.
Higher Secondary Examination is called by different names across India. CBSE, CICSE, and state boards of education conduct 12th class examination on their level for class 12 students in their schools. The examination time frame may be the same or different for the boards. Each board issues its separate time table for higher secondary examinations.
Higher Secondary Examination is called an Intermediate exam in some Indian states. The Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and some other states conduct a 12th class exam as an intermediate exam.
Similar to 10th class examination, 12th class exam or HSC exam is conducted at the state level by the state boards of education and at the national level by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). This examination is conducted once a year.
The result declaration process for higher secondary exams start from mid-April and continues to June to July. Most of Indian education boards declare their HS exam results in this time frame.