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What can I do after Class 12?

11 paths after Class 12, side by side: degree courses with their entrance exams, government jobs, open learning and study abroad. Every rule below is from an official page, with the day we read it.

Your options, side by side

Tap a row for its page on Shishya: colleges, entrance exams, jobs or courses.

Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech)BTech · Engineering after 12th · Engineering degreeWhat it isA bachelor's degree in an engineering or technology branch, such as computer science, civil, mechanical or electrical engineering.How long4 years (AICTE, Engineering and Technology)source: All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), read on 30 Sep 2026From these options after Class 10Leads toExamsFull page : Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech)
Medicine and health (MBBS, BDS, AYUSH)BAMS · BHMS · Medical after 12th · DoctorWhat it isDegrees in medicine (MBBS), dentistry (BDS) and the AYUSH systems (BAMS, BSMS, BUMS, BHMS).From these options after Class 10Leads toExamsFull page : Medicine and health (MBBS, BDS, AYUSH)
Law (integrated LL.B after Class 12)Law after 12th · BA LLB · BBA LLB · LLBWhat it isAn integrated law degree that combines a first degree (such as B.A. or BBA) with the LL.B.From these options after Class 10Leads toExamsFull page : Law (integrated LL.B after Class 12)
Design (B.Des)BDes · Design after 12th · Fashion designWhat it isA bachelor's degree in design, such as product, communication or fashion design.Leads toExamsFull page : Design (B.Des)
Commerce and finance (B.Com, BBA, CA, CS, CMA)BCom · Chartered Accountancy · Commerce after 12thWhat it isCommerce and business degrees, and the professional routes of chartered accountancy, company secretaryship and cost accountancy.Leads toExamsFull page : Commerce and finance (B.Com, BBA, CA, CS, CMA)
University degrees (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com through CUET UG)BA · BSc · Central university admissionWhat it isArts, science and commerce degrees (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com) at universities and their colleges.From these options after Class 10Leads toExamsFull page : University degrees (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com through CUET UG)
Defence officer entry after Class 12 (NDA)Army after 12th · Navy after 12th · Air Force after 12th · Defence after 12thWhat it isOfficer training for the Army, Navy and Air Force through the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy exam.From these options after Class 10Leads toExamsFull page : Defence officer entry after Class 12 (NDA)
Architecture and planning (B.Arch, B.Planning)BArch · B.Plan · Architecture after 12thWhat it isDegrees in architecture (B.Arch) and in planning (B.Planning).From these options after Class 10Leads toExamsFull page : Architecture and planning (B.Arch, B.Planning)
Government jobs and exams after Class 12What it isRecruitment and entrance exams open to a Class 12 pass, gathered on one page.Full page : Government jobs and exams after Class 12
Open and distance learningWhat it isDegrees and courses through open universities and distance learning, for those who cannot attend full time.Full page : Open and distance learning
Study abroadWhat it isUndergraduate study outside India, country by country.Full page : Study abroad

Rules to know before you choose

  • B.E./B.Tech seats at NITs, IIITs and other central institutes through JEE (Main) Paper 1 need Class XII with Physics, Mathematics, a language, one of Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology or a Technical Vocational subject, and one more subject.

    source: National Testing Agency (NTA), read on 30 Sep 2026

  • For those NIT-system seats a student also needs at least 75% aggregate in five Class XII subjects (65% for SC, ST and PwD), or a place in the category-wise top 20 percentile of their board.

    source: National Testing Agency (NTA), read on 30 Sep 2026

  • NEET (UG) 2026 asks for Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Biotechnology (with practicals) and English. Under NMC's public notice of 22.11.2023, these may be passed as additional subjects after Class 12 from a recognised board.

    source: National Testing Agency (NTA), read on 30 Sep 2026

  • CUET (UG) 2026 lets a candidate choose up to five test subjects, including languages and the General Aptitude Test, irrespective of the subjects taken in Class XII; each university sets its own programme rules.

    source: National Testing Agency (NTA), read on 30 Sep 2026

  • CLAT 2027 (UG) asks for 10+2 or an equivalent examination with at least 45% marks (40% for SC, ST and PwD), with no upper age limit.

    source: Consortium of National Law Universities, read on 30 Sep 2026

  • NDA and NA (II) 2026: for the Army wing the notice asks for a Class 12 pass of the 10+2 pattern and names no subjects; the Air Force and Naval wings need Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

    source: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), read on 30 Sep 2026

  • B.Arch (Council of Architecture rule, quoted in the JEE (Main) 2026 bulletin): Physics and Mathematics compulsory plus one of Chemistry, Biology, a Technical Vocational subject, Computer Science, IT, Informatics Practices, Engineering Graphics or Business Studies, with at least 45% aggregate; or a 10+3 diploma with Mathematics and at least 45%.

    source: National Testing Agency (NTA), read on 30 Sep 2026

  • B.Planning through JEE (Main): at least 50% in Mathematics and 50% aggregate in the qualifying examination.

    source: National Testing Agency (NTA), read on 30 Sep 2026

Scholarships open at this stage

78 schemes open at this stage in Shishya's scholarship list. Each page says who can apply and links where to apply.

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Exams you can take after Class 12 →54 listed on Shishya

What can I do after Class 12?

Shishya compares 11 paths side by side: Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech), Medicine and health (MBBS, BDS, AYUSH), Law (integrated LL.B after Class 12), Design (B.Des), Commerce and finance (B.Com, BBA, CA, CS, CMA), University degrees (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com through CUET UG), Defence officer entry after Class 12 (NDA), Architecture and planning (B.Arch, B.Planning), Government jobs and exams after Class 12, Open and distance learning, Study abroad. Each one says what it is, how long it takes where an official page states it, and what it leads to, with every rule quoted from an official page and the day it was read. Confirm dates and rules on the official site before you decide.

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