College and career routes

What each route needs in Class 12

The subjects you choose in Class 11 decide which entrance exams and degrees you can apply for. Red means required, amber means many colleges ask for it.

Science & Technology

Engineering (B.Tech / B.E.)

JEE Main, JEE Advanced, state CETs, BITSAT

  • RequiredPhysics (042)
  • RequiredMathematics (041)
  • RequiredChemistry (043) / Biology (044) / Biotechnology (045)

Helpful: Computer Science, Engineering Graphics

JoSAA eligibility asks for Physics and Mathematics plus one of Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology or a technical vocational subject.

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Science & Technology

Architecture (B.Arch)

NATA, JEE Main Paper 2

  • RequiredPhysics (042)
  • RequiredChemistry (043)
  • RequiredMathematics (041)

Helpful: Engineering Graphics, Painting, Applied / Commercial Art

Council of Architecture norms require Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in Class 12.

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Science & Technology

B.Sc in Physics, Chemistry, Maths

CUET UG, IISER Aptitude Test, NEST

  • RequiredPhysics (042)
  • RequiredMathematics (041)
  • Often askedChemistry (043)

Helpful: Computer Science

Each B.Sc programme maps its own CUET subjects; pure science degrees expect the matching Class 12 subjects.

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Science & Technology

B.Sc Computer Science

CUET UG

  • RequiredMathematics (041); some accept Applied Mathematics (241)
  • Often askedComputer Science (083) / Informatics Practices (065)

Helpful: Physics

Most universities, including DU colleges, want Mathematics in Class 12. Applied Mathematics is accepted only by some.

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Science & Technology

BCA (Computer Applications)

CUET UG, university tests

  • Often askedMathematics (041) / Applied Mathematics (241)
  • Often askedComputer Science (083) / Informatics Practices (065)

Helpful: Artificial Intelligence, Web Application

Many universities accept any stream; a good number ask for Mathematics or a computing subject.

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Science & Technology

Data Science / AI degrees

CUET UG, JEE (for B.Tech AI), university tests

  • RequiredMathematics (041); some accept Applied Mathematics (241)
  • Often askedComputer Science (083) / Informatics Practices (065) / Artificial Intelligence (843) / Data Science (844)

Helpful: Economics

B.Tech AI follows engineering rules. B.Sc / BS Data Science programmes usually need Mathematics.

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Medical & Health

Medicine (MBBS, BDS, AYUSH)

NEET UG

  • RequiredPhysics (042)
  • RequiredChemistry (043)
  • RequiredBiology (044) / Biotechnology (045)
  • RequiredEnglish Core (301) / English Elective (001)

Helpful: Psychology

NEET eligibility needs Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English in Class 12.

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Medical & Health

Nursing (B.Sc)

NEET UG / state and institute tests

  • RequiredPhysics (042)
  • RequiredChemistry (043)
  • RequiredBiology (044) / Biotechnology (045)
  • RequiredEnglish Core (301) / English Elective (001)

Helpful: Psychology, Health Care

Indian Nursing Council norms require PCB and English.

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Medical & Health

Pharmacy (B.Pharm)

State CETs, university tests

  • RequiredPhysics (042)
  • RequiredChemistry (043)
  • RequiredMathematics (041) / Biology (044)

Pharmacy Council norms accept PCM or PCB.

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Medical & Health

Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc)

NEET UG (VCI quota), state tests

  • RequiredPhysics (042)
  • RequiredChemistry (043)
  • RequiredBiology (044)
  • RequiredEnglish Core (301) / English Elective (001)

Veterinary Council of India norms require PCB and English.

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Medical & Health

Agriculture (B.Sc Agri)

ICAR AIEEA via CUET, state tests

  • RequiredPhysics (042)
  • RequiredChemistry (043)
  • RequiredBiology (044) / Mathematics (041); some accept Agriculture (808)

Helpful: Agriculture, Horticulture

ICAR accepts PCB, PCM or Agriculture combinations.

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Defence & Aviation

Commercial Pilot (CPL)

DGCA exams, flying school selection

  • RequiredPhysics (042)
  • RequiredMathematics (041)

DGCA requires Physics and Mathematics in Class 12 (they can be cleared later via NIOS).

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Defence & Aviation

Merchant Navy

IMU-CET

  • RequiredPhysics (042)
  • RequiredChemistry (043)
  • RequiredMathematics (041)
  • RequiredEnglish Core (301) / English Elective (001)

Marine engineering and nautical science need PCM and English.

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Defence & Aviation

NDA: Air Force and Navy wings

UPSC NDA

  • RequiredPhysics (042)
  • RequiredMathematics (041)

Helpful: National Cadet Corps (NCC), Physical Education

NDA Army wing is open to any stream; Air Force and Navy wings need Physics and Mathematics.

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Commerce & Business

Chartered Accountancy, CS, CMA

ICAI Foundation, CSEET, CMA Foundation

Any stream

Helpful: Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics

Any stream can register; Accountancy and Maths give a strong head start.

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Commerce & Business

B.Com (Hons)

CUET UG

  • RequiredMathematics (041) / Applied Mathematics (241) / Accountancy (055)

Helpful: Business Studies, Economics

DU maps B.Com (Hons) to Mathematics, Applied Mathematics or Accountancy in CUET.

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Commerce & Business

BA Economics (Hons)

CUET UG

  • RequiredMathematics (041) / Applied Mathematics (241)
  • Often askedEconomics (030)

Helpful: Mathematics

DU requires Mathematics in CUET for Economics (Hons); you can only take CUET domain subjects you studied.

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Commerce & Business

BBA / BMS / Integrated MBA

IPMAT, CUET UG, NPAT, SET

  • Often askedMathematics (041) / Applied Mathematics (241)

Helpful: Business Studies, Economics, Entrepreneurship

DU BMS and BBA (FIA) need Maths in CUET; IPMAT and most private BBAs accept any stream but test maths.

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Commerce & Business

Banking, Finance & Actuarial

ACET, CUET UG, bank exams later

  • Often askedMathematics (041) / Applied Mathematics (241)

Helpful: Economics, Accountancy, Financial Markets Management, Banking

Actuarial science strongly prefers Mathematics.

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Law, Policy & Public Service

Law (5-year BA LLB / BBA LLB)

CLAT, AILET, LSAT India, MH CET Law

Any stream

Helpful: Political Science, Legal Studies, Economics, History

Open to any stream. Political Science and Legal Studies help with the legal reasoning and GK sections.

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Law, Policy & Public Service

Civil Services (IAS, IPS, IFS)

UPSC CSE after graduation

Any stream

Helpful: Political Science, History, Geography, Economics, Sociology

Needs any graduation. Humanities subjects overlap heavily with the syllabus.

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Media, Design & Arts

Fine & Performing Arts (BFA, BPA)

University entrance and auditions

  • Often askedPainting (049) / Graphics (050) / Sculpture (051) / Applied / Commercial Art (052) / Carnatic Music (Vocal) (031) / Carnatic Music (Melodic Instruments) (032) / Carnatic Music (Percussion - Mridangam) (033) / Hindustani Music (Vocal) (034) / Hindustani Music (Melodic Instruments) (035) / Hindustani Music (Percussion) (036) / Kathak (056) / Bharatanatyam (057) / Kuchipudi (058) / Odissi (059) / Manipuri (060) / Kathakali (061)

Some universities require the art form in Class 12; most take a portfolio or audition.

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Commerce & Business

Entrepreneurship & Startups

No fixed exam

Any stream

Helpful: Entrepreneurship, Business Studies, Economics, Computer Science

Any stream. Building real projects during school counts more than the subject list.

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Eligibility shown is the common national pattern. Universities and exam bodies revise rules every year, and CUET subject mapping differs by university. Check the official information bulletin before finalising your Class 12 subjects.