# What can I do after Class 10? — Shishya life-stage context

> Page: https://shishya.in/after-10th · data as of 2026-10-01 (IST). Free to cite; link back to the page. Shishya (https://shishya.in) — one smart, free place to study for students in India: school, entrance and government exams, colleges, scholarships and careers.
> Honesty: every rule below is quoted from an official page, with its source and the day it was read; a rule that could not be read on an official page is left out, never guessed. No count here is typed — each is the length of a list.
> 9 options after Class 10, side by side: what each one is, how long it takes, and what it keeps open. Every rule below is from an official page, with the day we read it.

## Your options, side by side (9)
- MPC or PCM: Maths, Physics and Chemistry in Class 11-12 — also called MPC, PCM, M.P.C., P.C.M., Science with Maths, Maths group, Physics Chemistry Maths, Non-medical, एमपीसी, पीसीएम, ఎంపీసీ — https://shishya.in/schooling/streams/mpc-pcm — Class 11 and 12 with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry as the main subjects, beside your languages. — how long: 2 years (Class 11 and Class 12) (Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), read on 2026-09-30) — leads to: Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/engineering · Law (integrated LL.B after Class 12) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/law · University degrees (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com through CUET UG) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/university · Defence officer entry after Class 12 (NDA) https://shishya.in/careers/armed-forces-officer · Architecture and planning (B.Arch, B.Planning) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/architecture — exams: JEE Main https://shishya.in/exams/JEE_MAIN · JEE Advanced https://shishya.in/exams/JEE_ADVANCED · NDA https://shishya.in/exams/NDA · MHT-CET https://shishya.in/exams/MH_MHTCET · CUET UG https://shishya.in/exams/CUET_UG · CLAT https://shishya.in/exams/CLAT · KCET https://shishya.in/exams/KA_KCET · COMEDK UGET https://shishya.in/exams/KA_COMEDK · AP EAPCET https://shishya.in/exams/AP_EAMCET · TS EAPCET https://shishya.in/exams/TS_EAMCET · WBJEE https://shishya.in/exams/WB_WBJEE · KEAM https://shishya.in/exams/KL_KEAM · AILET https://shishya.in/exams/AILET · NATA https://shishya.in/exams/NATA · BITSAT (no Shishya page yet)
- BiPC or PCB: Biology, Physics and Chemistry in Class 11-12 — also called BiPC, PCB, Bi.P.C., P.C.B., Science with Biology, Medical group, Biology group, पीसीबी, బైపీసీ — https://shishya.in/schooling/streams/bipc-pcb — Class 11 and 12 with Biology (or Botany and Zoology), Physics and Chemistry as the main subjects, beside your languages. — how long: 2 years (Class 11 and Class 12) (Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), read on 2026-09-30) — leads to: Medicine and health (MBBS, BDS, AYUSH) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/medical · Law (integrated LL.B after Class 12) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/law · University degrees (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com through CUET UG) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/university · NDA Army wing only https://shishya.in/careers/armed-forces-officer — exams: NEET UG https://shishya.in/exams/NEET_UG · MHT-CET https://shishya.in/exams/MH_MHTCET · AP EAPCET https://shishya.in/exams/AP_EAMCET · NDA https://shishya.in/exams/NDA · CUET UG https://shishya.in/exams/CUET_UG · CLAT https://shishya.in/exams/CLAT · AILET https://shishya.in/exams/AILET
- PCMB: Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology in Class 11-12 — also called PCMB, P.C.M.B., MBiPC, Science with Maths and Biology, Physics Chemistry Maths Biology, पीसीएमबी — https://shishya.in/schooling/streams/pcmb — Class 11 and 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology together, beside your languages. — how long: 2 years (Class 11 and Class 12) (Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), read on 2026-09-30) — leads to: Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/engineering · Medicine and health (MBBS, BDS, AYUSH) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/medical · Law (integrated LL.B after Class 12) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/law · University degrees (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com through CUET UG) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/university · Defence officer entry after Class 12 (NDA) https://shishya.in/careers/armed-forces-officer · Architecture and planning (B.Arch, B.Planning) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/architecture — exams: JEE Main https://shishya.in/exams/JEE_MAIN · JEE Advanced https://shishya.in/exams/JEE_ADVANCED · NEET UG https://shishya.in/exams/NEET_UG · NDA https://shishya.in/exams/NDA · MHT-CET https://shishya.in/exams/MH_MHTCET · CUET UG https://shishya.in/exams/CUET_UG · CLAT https://shishya.in/exams/CLAT · KCET https://shishya.in/exams/KA_KCET · COMEDK UGET https://shishya.in/exams/KA_COMEDK · AP EAPCET https://shishya.in/exams/AP_EAMCET · TS EAPCET https://shishya.in/exams/TS_EAMCET · WBJEE https://shishya.in/exams/WB_WBJEE · KEAM https://shishya.in/exams/KL_KEAM · AILET https://shishya.in/exams/AILET · NATA https://shishya.in/exams/NATA · BITSAT (no Shishya page yet)
- Commerce (CEC or MEC): Accountancy, Business and Economics in Class 11-12 — also called Commerce, CEC, MEC, C.E.C., M.E.C., Commerce with Maths, Commerce without Maths, I.Com, कॉमर्स, కామర్స్ — https://shishya.in/schooling/streams/commerce-cec-mec — Class 11 and 12 built around accountancy, business studies, commerce and economics, with or without Mathematics. — how long: 2 years (Class 11 and Class 12) (Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), read on 2026-09-30) — leads to: Law (integrated LL.B after Class 12) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/law · Commerce and finance (B.Com, BBA, CA, CS, CMA) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/management · University degrees (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com through CUET UG) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/university · NDA Army wing only https://shishya.in/careers/armed-forces-officer — exams: CUET UG https://shishya.in/exams/CUET_UG · CLAT https://shishya.in/exams/CLAT · NDA https://shishya.in/exams/NDA · AILET https://shishya.in/exams/AILET · CA Foundation https://shishya.in/exams/CA_FOUNDATION · IPMAT (no Shishya page yet)
- Arts or Humanities (HEC): History, Economics, Civics and more in Class 11-12 — also called Arts, Humanities, HEC, H.E.C., Arts stream, I.A., आर्ट्स, ఆర్ట్స్ — https://shishya.in/schooling/streams/arts-hec-humanities — Class 11 and 12 built around subjects such as history, political science or civics, economics, geography, sociology, psychology and languages. — how long: 2 years (Class 11 and Class 12) (Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), read on 2026-09-30) — leads to: Law (integrated LL.B after Class 12) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/law · Design (B.Des) https://shishya.in/exams/entrance#entrance-university · University degrees (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com through CUET UG) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/university · NDA Army wing only https://shishya.in/careers/armed-forces-officer — exams: CUET UG https://shishya.in/exams/CUET_UG · CLAT https://shishya.in/exams/CLAT · NDA https://shishya.in/exams/NDA · AILET https://shishya.in/exams/AILET · UCEED https://shishya.in/exams/UCEED · NID DAT https://shishya.in/exams/NID_DAT · NIFT entrance https://shishya.in/exams/NIFT
- Vocational Class 11-12: a trade or skill subject alongside your Class 12 — also called Vocational, Intermediate Vocational, HSC Vocational, Vocational course after 10th, Skill subjects, VHSE, वोकेशनल — https://shishya.in/schooling/streams/vocational — Class 11 and 12 in which one or more subjects is a job skill, such as IT, health care, agriculture, automobile or retail, taught with theory and practicals. — how long: 2 years (Class 11 and Class 12) (Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), read on 2026-09-30) — leads to: University degrees (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com through CUET UG) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/university — exams: JEE Main https://shishya.in/exams/JEE_MAIN · CUET UG https://shishya.in/exams/CUET_UG
- Polytechnic diploma after Class 10 — also called Polytechnic, Diploma, Diploma in Engineering, Polytechnic after 10th, Diploma after 10th, POLYCET, पॉलिटेक्निक, పాలిటెక్నిక్ — https://shishya.in/schooling/streams/diploma-polytechnic — A technical diploma course at a polytechnic, taken after Class 10 in place of Class 11 and 12, in branches such as civil, mechanical, electrical, electronics or computer engineering. — how long: 3 years after Class 10 (Engineering and Technology, Applied Arts and Crafts, Design) (All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), read on 2026-09-30) — leads to: University degrees (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com through CUET UG) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/university · B.Arch, with Mathematics in the diploma https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/architecture · Engineering diploma, including lateral entry to its second year https://shishya.in/colleges/iti-diploma — exams: JEE Main https://shishya.in/exams/JEE_MAIN · CUET UG https://shishya.in/exams/CUET_UG · NATA https://shishya.in/exams/NATA · UP JEECUP https://shishya.in/exams/UP_JEECUP · AP POLYCET https://shishya.in/exams/AP_POLYCET · TS POLYCET https://shishya.in/exams/TS_POLYCET · Bihar DCECE https://shishya.in/exams/BR_DCECE · Uttarakhand Polytechnic (JEEP) https://shishya.in/exams/UK_POLYTECHNIC · HP Polytechnic (PAT) https://shishya.in/exams/HP_POLYTECHNIC
- ITI: trade training after Class 10 (some trades after Class 8) — also called ITI, Industrial Training Institute, ITI trades, ITI after 10th, ITI after 8th, NCVT, Craftsmen Training Scheme, आईटीआई, ఐటీఐ — https://shishya.in/schooling/streams/iti — Hands-on training in a trade, such as electrician or fitter, at an Industrial Training Institute under the Craftsmen Training Scheme. — how long: 1 or 2 years, depending on the trade (Directorate General of Training (DGT), read on 2026-09-30) — leads to: Engineering diploma, including lateral entry to its second year https://shishya.in/colleges/iti-diploma — exams: UP JEECUP https://shishya.in/exams/UP_JEECUP · AP POLYCET https://shishya.in/exams/AP_POLYCET · TS POLYCET https://shishya.in/exams/TS_POLYCET · Bihar DCECE https://shishya.in/exams/BR_DCECE · Uttarakhand Polytechnic (JEEP) https://shishya.in/exams/UK_POLYTECHNIC · HP Polytechnic (PAT) https://shishya.in/exams/HP_POLYTECHNIC
- NIOS Senior Secondary: open schooling for Class 12 — also called NIOS, NIOS 12th, NIOS Senior Secondary, Open school, Open schooling, एनआईओएस, ఎన్ఐఓఎస్ — https://shishya.in/schooling/streams/nios — The Class 12 level course of the National Institute of Open Schooling, studied through open and distance learning with subjects you choose. — leads to: University degrees (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com through CUET UG) https://shishya.in/colleges/stream/university — exams: JEE Main https://shishya.in/exams/JEE_MAIN · CUET UG https://shishya.in/exams/CUET_UG

## Rules to know before you choose (5)
- CBSE treats Class XI and XII as one composite course: the subjects taken in Class XI continue in Class XII. There are no fixed streams; after two languages, students choose electives. — source: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), "Introduction to Secondary Curriculum: Part - 2 (XI-XII), 2026-27", https://cbseacademic.nic.in/web_material/CurriculumMain27/SecPart2/Curriculum_SecP2_2026-27.pdf, read on 2026-09-30
- AICTE diplomas in Engineering and Technology, Applied Arts and Crafts, and Design take 3 years and need a pass in Class 10 (10th Std./SSC). — source: All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), "Approval Process Handbook 2024-25 to 2026-27", https://aicte-india.org/sites/default/files/approval/APH%20Final.pdf, read on 2026-09-30
- ITI trades under the Craftsmen Training Scheme take one or two years and are entered after Class VIII or Class X, depending on the trade. — source: Directorate General of Training (DGT), "NIOS-DGT Integrated Academic Certification Scheme: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for ITI Learners", https://dgt.gov.in/sites/default/files/2026-07/FAQ-NIOS-DGT-scheme.pdf, read on 2026-09-30
- JEE (Main) 2026 lists, among its qualifying examinations, the Higher Secondary Certificate Vocational Examination, the NIOS Senior Secondary examination with at least five subjects, and an AICTE or State-board diploma of at least 3 years. — source: National Testing Agency (NTA), "JEE (Main) 2026 Information Bulletin", https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3f8e59f4b2fe7c5705bf878bbd494ccdf/uploads/2025/11/202511021649722475.pdf, read on 2026-09-30
- CUET (UG) 2026 lists the same three routes (HSC Vocational, NIOS Senior Secondary with at least five subjects, a diploma of at least 3 years) as qualifying examinations. — source: National Testing Agency (NTA), "CUET (UG) 2026 Information Bulletin", https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3d1a21da7bca4abff8b0b61b87597de73/uploads/2026/01/202601031633478370.pdf, read on 2026-09-30

## Scholarships open at this stage (25)
> Open schemes only (a discontinued scheme is never listed). Amounts and deadlines change every year — confirm on the official link.
- Post-Matric Scholarship (NSP) — Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment / Tribal Affairs / Minority Affairs — Class 11-12, Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate — central government; all India; categories: SC/ST/OBC/MIN — https://shishya.in/scholarships/nsp-post-matric — official: https://scholarships.gov.in/
- PM YASASVI Top Class Education in School (OBC, EBC, DNT) — Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (Backward Classes) — Class 9-10, Class 11-12 — central government; all India; categories: OBC/EWS — https://shishya.in/scholarships/pm-yasasvi — official: https://www.socialjustice.gov.in/
- Pragati Scholarship (AICTE) — All India Council for Technical Education — Diploma, Undergraduate — central government; all India; girls only — https://shishya.in/scholarships/pragati-aicte — official: https://www.aicte-india.org/schemes/students-development-schemes/Pragati
- Saksham Scholarship (AICTE) — All India Council for Technical Education — Diploma, Undergraduate — central government; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/saksham-aicte — official: https://www.aicte-india.org/schemes/students-development-schemes/Saksham
- CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child — Central Board of Secondary Education — Class 11-12 — merit award; all India; girls only — https://shishya.in/scholarships/cbse-single-girl — official: https://www.cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/scholarship.html
- National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) — Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education — Class 9-10, Class 11-12 — merit award; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/nmmss — official: https://www.dsel-education.gov.in/offerings/schemes-and-services/details/national-means-cum-merit-scholarship-scheme-IzNyYTMtQWa
- Mahindra All India Talent Scholarship (MAITS) — K.C. Mahindra Education Trust — Diploma, Undergraduate — private / foundation; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/mahindra-maits — official: https://www.mahindrafoundation.org/scholarships
- Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship — Sitaram Jindal Foundation — Class 11-12, Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate — private / foundation; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/sitaram-jindal — official: https://www.sitaramjindalfoundation.org/
- INSPIRE-MANAK / Top-1% Board Awards — Department of Science & Technology — Class 11-12, Undergraduate — merit award; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/kvpy-legacy-inspire — official: https://www.online-inspire.gov.in/
- State Govt Merit Scholarships (post-NTSE) — Various State Governments — Class 11-12, Undergraduate — state government; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/ntse-state-legacy — official: https://ncert.nic.in/
- Scholarship for Students with Disabilities — Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, MoSJE — Class 11-12, Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate — central government; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/pwd-trust-scholarship — official: https://scholarships.gov.in/
- Defence Dependants Education Concession (CBSE / KVS) — Kendriya Sainik Board — Class 9-10, Class 11-12 — central government; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/csbc-defence-dependants — official: https://ksb.gov.in/
- Khelo India Talent Identification + Stipend — Sports Authority of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports — Class 9-10, Class 11-12, Undergraduate — central government; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/khelo-india-stipend — official: https://kheloindia.gov.in/
- Cultural Talent Search Scholarship — CCRT, Ministry of Culture — Class 9-10, Class 11-12 — merit award; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/ust-cultural-young — official: https://ccrtindia.gov.in/
- HDFC Bank Parivartan Badhte Kadam Scholarship — HDFC Bank Parivartan — Class 11-12, Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate — private / foundation; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/hdfc-badhte-kadam — official: https://www.hdfcbankparivartan.com/
- Wipro Earthian + Wipro Cares Scholarships — Wipro Foundation — Class 11-12, Undergraduate — private / foundation; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/wipro-stem-girls — official: https://www.wipro.org/
- Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship — Tata Capital Limited — Class 11-12, Undergraduate — private / foundation; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/tata-capital-pankh — official: https://www.tatacapital.com/csr/pankh.html
- Parsi Zoroastrian Trust Funds Scholarship — Bombay Parsi Punchayet + multiple BPP Trust Funds — Class 9-10, Class 11-12, Undergraduate, Postgraduate — private / foundation; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/parsi-charity-zoroastrian — official: https://www.bombayparsipanchayat.com/
- MESCO + Muslim Educational Society Scholarships — Multiple regional MES bodies — Class 11-12, Undergraduate, Postgraduate — private / foundation; all India; categories: MIN — https://shishya.in/scholarships/muslim-educational-society — official: https://mescotrust.org/
- IndianOil Academic Scholarship — Indian Oil Corporation Limited — Class 11-12, Undergraduate, Postgraduate — private / foundation; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/indian-oil-merit — official: https://iocl.com/
- National Award for PwD Scholarship — Department of Empowerment of PwD, MoSJE — Class 9-10, Class 11-12, Undergraduate, Postgraduate — central government; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/natt-pwd — official: https://scholarships.gov.in/
- Khelo India Athlete Stipend (Individual Sport) — SAI + Ministry of Youth Affairs — Class 9-10, Class 11-12, Undergraduate — central government; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/khelo-india-tops-individual — official: https://kheloindia.gov.in/
- DST Manak (Awards for Innovation) — DST — Class 9-10, Class 11-12 — merit award; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/dst-mansamandap-innovate — official: https://www.inspireawards-dst.gov.in/
- Pratham Open School / Azim Premji Foundation Stipend — Azim Premji Foundation + Pratham — Diploma, Undergraduate — private / foundation; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/azim-premji-pratham — official: https://www.pratham.org/
- SAI Khel Pratibha Award — Sports Authority of India — Class 9-10, Class 11-12, Undergraduate — central government; all India — https://shishya.in/scholarships/sport-authority-individual — official: https://sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in/

## Exams you can take after Class 10
- https://shishya.in/exams/after/10th (22 exams) — government and entrance exams grouped by the lowest qualification each lists

## Where it can lead
- Compare the Class 11 streams in detail: https://shishya.in/schooling/streams
- ITI and polytechnic diploma courses: https://shishya.in/colleges/iti-diploma
- Open schooling and distance learning: https://shishya.in/distance-learning
- Career map: https://shishya.in/career-map
- What comes after Class 12: https://shishya.in/after-12th

## Not on Shishya yet
- A page for each course (degree by degree). Until then each option links its colleges, entrance exams and careers pages.

## Sources and last checked (5)
- Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), "Introduction to Secondary Curriculum: Part - 2 (XI-XII), 2026-27", https://cbseacademic.nic.in/web_material/CurriculumMain27/SecPart2/Curriculum_SecP2_2026-27.pdf, read on 2026-09-30
- All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), "Approval Process Handbook 2024-25 to 2026-27", https://aicte-india.org/sites/default/files/approval/APH%20Final.pdf, read on 2026-09-30
- Directorate General of Training (DGT), "NIOS-DGT Integrated Academic Certification Scheme: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for ITI Learners", https://dgt.gov.in/sites/default/files/2026-07/FAQ-NIOS-DGT-scheme.pdf, read on 2026-09-30
- National Testing Agency (NTA), "JEE (Main) 2026 Information Bulletin", https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3f8e59f4b2fe7c5705bf878bbd494ccdf/uploads/2025/11/202511021649722475.pdf, read on 2026-09-30
- National Testing Agency (NTA), "CUET (UG) 2026 Information Bulletin", https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3d1a21da7bca4abff8b0b61b87597de73/uploads/2026/01/202601031633478370.pdf, read on 2026-09-30

## More on Shishya
- Every stage, from school to work: https://shishya.in/career-map · platform context: https://shishya.in/context.md · full index for LLMs: https://shishya.in/llms-full.txt