Cambridge International Education has announced a 7% year-on-year increase in entries for its March 2026 examination series in India, highlighting the sustained demand for international school qualifications among students pursuing higher education both in India and abroad. The March examination cycle, designed to align with the Indian academic calendar, recorded growth across both Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications. A total of 447 schools in India participated in the March 2026 series, making it the organization's largest examination session in the country.
Senior Secondary Entries Record Strongest Growth
The most significant increase was observed in Cambridge International AS & A Level examinations. Overall entries for this qualification rose by 12% compared to the previous year. Within this category, Cambridge International AS Level entries surged by 16%, marking the highest growth rate across all qualifications in the series, while Cambridge International A Level entries increased by 8%. Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry remained the most popular subjects at the AS & A Level stage. Cambridge noted that the consistency in subject choices across different qualification levels reflects sustained student interest in science, technology, engineering, and commerce-related academic pathways. Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications are recognized by universities in India and overseas and offer students multiple assessment pathways.
Cambridge IGCSE Entries Continue Upward Trend
Cambridge IGCSE entries in India grew by 6% in the March 2026 series, continuing the upward trend in the number of schools offering the curriculum at the secondary level. Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry were again the most popular subjects at the IGCSE stage. Cambridge also reported entries in subjects such as Global Perspectives, Environmental Studies, and Business Studies, indicating broader subject participation across schools. The examination board stated that the March series allows students to align their results with domestic university admission timelines while also exploring international higher education opportunities. Cambridge is currently the only international awarding body conducting a March examination series linked to the Indian academic calendar.
New Checkpoint Tests Introduced
Cambridge International Education also introduced a March series of Cambridge Checkpoint tests for primary and lower secondary students this year. According to the organization, this initiative aims to help schools make progression decisions in line with the academic year followed in India. Vinay Sharma, Regional Director for International Education in South Asia, commented that the increase in AS & A Level entries indicates growing recognition of flexible curriculum pathways among students and parents in India.
