Which grade is the easiest time to switch boards?

Generally, the earlier the better. Moves up to Class 5 are usually smooth. Classes 6 to 8 are manageable with some catch-up. Moving into Class 9 is possible but leaves less time before boards, and moves into Class 10 or Class 12 are the hardest and are often restricted by the board's rules.

Will my child have to study Hindi or Malayalam?

It depends on the board and the state. CBSE schools require at least two languages up to Class 10, usually English plus Hindi or a regional language, and CBSE is phasing in a third language, with at least two Indian languages, under its new curriculum. State board schools often require the state language. Some schools offer exemptions or alternatives for children arriving from abroad, so ask each school directly.

Do we need a transfer certificate and equivalence certificate?

Usually a transfer certificate from the previous school is needed. Children coming from foreign boards such as IGCSE may also need an equivalence or eligibility certificate, especially at Class 9 and Class 11. Requirements vary, so check with the new school and the board well before moving.

How long does it take a child to catch up after switching?

For most children, the first term is the hardest. With focused support on the main gaps, many settle within a few months. Language requirements can take longer, especially if starting a new script.

Moving and schools

Switching boards when your family moves back to India

Moving from a Gulf school to India often means a new board and a new second language. What changes, which grades are easiest, and how to bridge the gaps.

By the Qlive team. 7 September 2026 . 5 min read.

Many Indian families who have lived in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain eventually move back to India, sometimes after years of planning and sometimes at short notice. For the children, the move often means more than a new city. It can mean a new board, a different textbook style, a second language they have not studied before and classmates who are used to a different pace. With some planning, most children adjust well. This guide covers what changes, what to check, and how to help your child bridge the gaps.

The common moves

From (in the Gulf)	To (in India)	How big is the change?
CBSE school	CBSE school	Small. Same syllabus and books. Mainly a new school culture and possibly a new second language.
CBSE school	State board school	Moderate. Different textbooks and exam style, state language usually required.
CBSE school	ICSE school	Moderate. More English and literature, different science books.
IGCSE or British school	CBSE school	Larger. Different syllabus sequence, more content, Hindi or another Indian language usually required.
IGCSE or British school	State board school	Larger, plus the state language.
IGCSE or British school	International school in India	Small. Many Indian cities have IGCSE and IB schools.

Choosing a board in India

Before you think about catching up, decide where your child is going. A few questions help:

Where will your child go to university? If Indian universities and entrance exams are likely, CBSE or a strong state board fits naturally. If abroad, an international school may keep things simpler.
How long until Class 10? With only a year or two left, keeping the same board, if possible, avoids a lot of stress.
Which languages can your child realistically manage? This is often the deciding factor. More on this below.
What can you afford? International schools in India usually cost more than CBSE or state schools.

Our guide on CBSE vs IGCSE compares the two main boards in more detail.

Timing: which grade to move in

KG to Class 5. Usually the easiest. Gaps are small and young children pick up new languages faster.
Class 6 to 8. Manageable. Expect some catch-up, especially in Maths, Science and the second language.
Class 9. Possible, but Class 9 and 10 are taught as a block in many boards. Your child will need to cover Class 9 content quickly.
Class 10. The hardest. Boards often have rules about admissions into the board exam year. Avoid if you can.
Class 11. A natural break point after Class 10 or IGCSE, but the jump is large. See moving into Class 11 science.
Class 12. Very difficult. Most boards restrict admission in the final year.

If you have any flexibility over the date of the move, the end of a school year, before Class 9 or before Class 11, is usually best.

The language question

For many returning families this is the biggest worry.

CBSE schools

CBSE students study at least two languages up to Class 10, often English plus Hindi or a regional language. CBSE is also phasing in a third language under its new curriculum, with at least two of the three being Indian languages, and the rules for each class are still being rolled out year by year. Check the latest CBSE circular and ask the school what applies to your child’s class. Children who studied Arabic or French as their second language in the Gulf may find that their new school does not offer it, and that they need to start Hindi or the state language.

State board schools

State boards usually require the state language, such as Malayalam in Kerala, Tamil in Tamil Nadu or Kannada in Karnataka. A child who speaks the language at home but has never learnt to read and write it will need help with the script and grammar.

Ask about exemptions and alternatives

Some schools and states allow children coming from abroad to take a different language, a simpler level, or an exemption for a period. Policies vary, so ask each school directly and get the answer in writing.

Start early

If you know the move is coming, start the new language months before. Even 30 minutes, three times a week, to learn the script and basic reading makes the first term far easier. For Malayalam or Hindi, start with:

The alphabet and how letters join
Reading simple words and short sentences aloud
Writing a few lines each week
The first chapters of the textbook your child will use in India

Bridging subject gaps

Get the new school’s books early

Ask the new school for the textbook list for the grade your child will join and the grade below it. Compare the table of contents with what your child has already studied.

Make a gap list

Go subject by subject. Mark each chapter as “done”, “partly done” or “never seen”. Typical gaps for children moving from IGCSE or British schools to CBSE include:

Maths: topics taught in a different order, more emphasis on proofs in geometry, and more practice with longer written solutions
Science: NCERT expects precise definitions, diagrams and chemical equations, and Class 9 science content forms the base for Class 10
Social Science: Indian history, geography and civics, which may be completely new
Hindi or regional language: often the largest gap

Prioritise

You cannot fix everything before the first day. Focus first on the language and on Maths, because both build on themselves. Social Science chapters can usually be learnt as they come up.

Paperwork checklist

Transfer certificate from the current school, attested if required
Mark sheets and report cards for the last two or three years
Equivalence or eligibility certificate if moving from a foreign board, especially at Class 9 or 11
Birth certificate, passports and any OCI documents
Medical and vaccination records
A letter from the current school describing the curriculum, if the new school requests one

Requirements differ by board and by school, so ask early and allow time for attestation.

Supporting your child emotionally

A move back is a big change even when it is a happy one. Children may miss friends, struggle with new accents and teaching styles, or feel embarrassed about being behind in a language. Some things that help:

Talk openly about the move, well before it happens
Visit the new school if possible, or look at its website together
Keep some routines the same, such as bedtime and family meals
Expect lower marks in the first term and say so out loud
Celebrate small wins, like reading the first full page in Hindi or Malayalam

Getting help with the switch

Qlive families live across the Gulf and in India, and our teachers teach CBSE, ICSE, state boards including Kerala and Tamil Nadu, IGCSE and British curricula, so a teacher can work from the board your child is leaving towards the one they are joining. Our Foundation programme rebuilds core skills in Maths and languages including Hindi and Malayalam, level by level. A free assessment is a sensible first step to see which gaps matter most before the move.