Quick answer: After Class 12, most degree admissions in India go through an entrance exam: JEE for engineering, NEET for medicine, CUET for central and many other universities, CLAT for law and NDA for the defence forces. Choose courses first, then plan for the exams they require.
Science stream
| Course | Entrance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| B.Tech / B.E. | JEE Main, JEE Advanced, state exams | PCM required |
| MBBS / BDS / AYUSH | NEET UG | PCB required |
| B.Sc (Nursing), pharmacy, allied health | NEET or university/state tests | PCB usually required |
| B.Sc (pure sciences), data science | CUET UG / university tests | Physics, Chemistry, Maths or Biology |
| B.Arch | JEE Main Paper 2 / NATA | Maths required |
| NDA | UPSC NDA exam | PCM for Air Force and Navy |
Commerce stream
| Course | Entrance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| B.Com / B.Com (Hons) | CUET UG / merit | Accountancy recommended |
| BBA / BMS / IPM | CUET, IPMAT, university tests | Maths often helps |
| CA, CS, CMA | Foundation exams by ICAI, ICSI, ICMAI | Can be started after Class 12 |
| B.A. Economics | CUET UG | Maths often required |
Arts / Humanities stream
| Course | Entrance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| B.A. LL.B (5-year law) | CLAT, AILET, state law tests | Open to all streams |
| B.A. (Hons) in social sciences | CUET UG | Path to civil services, teaching, research |
| Journalism and mass communication | CUET / institute tests | Open to all streams |
| Design | NID DAT, UCEED, NIFT | Open to all streams |
| Psychology | CUET / university tests | Growing field |
How to shortlist
- List five careers you are curious about.
- For each, note the degree it needs and the entrance exam for that degree.
- Check the exam pattern and eligibility on the official site (for example nta.ac.in for JEE, NEET and CUET).
- Keep one safe option, one target option and one dream option.
The Career Guide After 12th covers courses, entrance exams, colleges and career paths for all three streams in one printed handbook. Students still in Class 10 can start with how to choose a stream after Class 10.
Frequently asked questions
Which exam is needed for central universities after Class 12?
Most central universities admit undergraduates through CUET UG, conducted by NTA.
Can Arts students do law?
Yes. The five-year law programmes through CLAT are open to students from every stream.
