After completing 12th grade in Science, Arts, or Commerce, students in India have a wide range of courses to choose from based on their stream, interests, and career goals. Below is a comprehensive list of courses categorized by stream, including popular options for each.
Courses After 12th Science
Science students (PCM – Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics; PCB – Physics, Chemistry, Biology; or PCMB) have diverse options in technical, medical, and interdisciplinary fields.
For PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)
- Engineering (B.E./B.Tech):
- Computer Science Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics and Communication Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Duration: 4 years
- Entrance Exams: JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, VITEEE, SRMJEEE
- Architecture (B.Arch):
- Focus: Design and planning of buildings
- Duration: 5 years
- Entrance Exam: NATA, JEE Main (Paper 2)
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc):
- B.Sc Mathematics
- B.Sc Physics
- B.Sc Chemistry
- B.Sc Statistics
- B.Sc Data Science
- B.Sc Aviation
- Duration: 3 years
- Merchant Navy:
- B.Sc Nautical Science
- B.E. Marine Engineering
- Duration: 3-4 years
- Entrance Exams: IMU CET
- Commercial Pilot Training:
- Course: Pilot License (CPL)
- Duration: 2-3 years
- Eligibility: DGCA-approved flying schools
- Other Technical Courses:
- B.Tech in Biotechnology (for PCMB)
- B.Sc in IT/Computer Science
- Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA)
- Duration: 3-4 years
For PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Medical Courses:
- MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
- BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
- BAMS (Ayurveda)
- BHMS (Homeopathy)
- BUMS (Unani)
- Duration: 4.5-5.5 years + internship
- Entrance Exam: NEET
- Allied Medical Courses:
- B.Sc Nursing
- B.Pharm (Pharmacy)
- BPT (Physiotherapy)
- BOT (Occupational Therapy)
- B.Sc Radiology
- B.Sc Medical Laboratory Technology
- Duration: 3-4 years
- Entrance Exams: AIIMS Nursing, state-level exams
- Veterinary Science:
- BVSc & AH (Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry)
- Duration: 5 years
- Entrance Exam: NEET, state-level exams
- Agriculture and Allied Fields:
- B.Sc Agriculture
- B.Sc Horticulture
- B.Sc Forestry
- B.Sc Fisheries
- Duration: 4 years
- Entrance Exam: ICAR AIEEA, state-level exams
- Other B.Sc Courses:
- B.Sc Biology
- B.Sc Microbiology
- B.Sc Biotechnology
- B.Sc Biochemistry
- B.Sc Environmental Science
- Duration: 3 years
For PCMB (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology)
- Students can opt for any course listed under PCM or PCB, such as:
- B.Tech Biotechnology
- B.Sc Bioinformatics
- Integrated M.Sc programs (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics)
Courses After 12th Arts
Arts students have opportunities in humanities, creative fields, and interdisciplinary areas.
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.):
- B.A. English
- B.A. History
- B.A. Political Science
- B.A. Sociology
- B.A. Psychology
- B.A. Economics
- B.A. Geography
- Duration: 3 years
- Law:
- BA LLB (Integrated Law)
- BBA LLB
- Duration: 5 years
- Entrance Exams: CLAT, AILET, LSAT
- Journalism and Mass Communication:
- B.A. Journalism and Mass Communication
- B.Sc Animation and Multimedia
- Duration: 3 years
- Entrance Exams: IIMC, Jamia Millia Islamia, state-level exams
- Design and Fine Arts:
- B.Des (Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design)
- BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
- Duration: 3-4 years
- Entrance Exams: NID, NIFT, UCEED
- Hotel Management:
- BHM (Bachelor of Hotel Management)
- Duration: 3-4 years
- Entrance Exam: NCHMCT JEE
- Education:
- B.Ed (for teaching, often after B.A.)
- Integrated B.A. B.Ed
- Duration: 2-4 years
- Entrance Exams: State-level B.Ed exams
- Other Courses:
- B.A. in Foreign Languages (French, German, Spanish)
- B.A. in Performing Arts (Music, Dance, Theatre)
- BSW (Bachelor of Social Work)
- Duration: 3 years
Courses After 12th Commerce
Commerce students can pursue courses in finance, management, law, and other professional fields.
- Commerce and Finance:
- B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce)
- B.Com General
- B.Com Honours
- B.Com Accounting and Finance
- B.Com Taxation
- Duration: 3 years
- Management:
- BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
- BMS (Bachelor of Management Studies)
- BBA in Finance, Marketing, HR
- Duration: 3 years
- Entrance Exams: IPMAT, DU JAT, NPAT
- Professional Courses:
- CA (Chartered Accountancy)
- Stages: Foundation, Intermediate, Final
- Duration: 4-5 years
- Conducted by: ICAI
- CS (Company Secretary)
- Stages: Foundation, Executive, Professional
- Duration: 2-3 years
- Conducted by: ICSI
- CMA (Cost and Management Accountancy)
- Stages: Foundation, Intermediate, Final
- Duration: 3-4 years
- Conducted by: ICMAI
- Law:
- BBA LLB
- B.Com LLB
- Duration: 5 years
- Entrance Exams: CLAT, AILET
- Economics and Statistics:
- B.A. Economics
- B.Sc Statistics
- Duration: 3 years
- Other Courses:
- B.Com in Computer Applications
- B.Com in Banking and Insurance
- Bachelor of Event Management
- Duration: 3 years
Courses Open to All Streams (Science, Arts, Commerce)
These courses are accessible regardless of the 12th stream, provided eligibility criteria are met:
- Management:
- BBA (Business Administration)
- BMS (Management Studies)
- Duration: 3 years
- Law:
- BA LLB, BBA LLB, B.Com LLB
- Duration: 5 years
- Design:
- B.Des (Fashion, Interior, Product, Graphic)
- Duration: 4 years
- Entrance Exams: NID, NIFT, UCEED
- Journalism and Media:
- B.A. Journalism and Mass Communication
- Duration: 3 years
- Hotel Management:
- BHM
- Duration: 3-4 years
- Animation and Multimedia:
- B.Sc Animation
- Diploma in VFX
- Duration: 3 years
- Vocational Courses:
- Diploma in Digital Marketing
- Diploma in Event Management
- Diploma in Travel and Tourism
- Duration: 6 months to 2 years
- Competitive Exams Preparation:
- UPSC Civil Services (IAS, IPS, IFS)
- SSC, Banking, Railways
- Eligibility: 12th pass (degree required for some exams)
Key Points to Consider
- Entrance Exams: Many courses require entrance exams (e.g., JEE, NEET, CLAT, NATA). Check specific requirements.
- Eligibility: Some courses have subject-specific requirements (e.g., PCB for medical, PCM for engineering).
- Career Goals: Choose courses aligned with your interests and long-term career plans.
- Diploma vs. Degree: Diplomas are shorter (1-2 years) and skill-focused, while degrees (3-5 years) offer broader opportunities.
- Emerging Fields: Data Science, AI, Cybersecurity, and Sustainability Studies are gaining popularity across streams.
If you need detailed information on any specific course, entrance exam, or career path, let me know!
