Is it true that only the science stream has scope? Will other streams close doors?
The answer is a big NO.
This is a very popular and commonly debated question in the homes of students in grades 10 and 12. While grade 10 allows you to choose a stream for higher secondary, the choice after grade 12 makes a big difference in how you move forward in life. Often, the problem that students face isn’t the lack of options but the lack of clarity and a proper decision-making framework.
This happens due to the rapidly changing education landscape, which is now transforming at high velocity due to the introduction of AI. In the following sections, let us examine this and explore how to make the decision-making process easy for grade 12 students.
Self-awareness
The first stage in choosing the right career involves exploring and knowing your interests, strengths and what you are really good at. While this sounds like a simple process, it is far more nuanced than that. Students are still teenagers and hence may not fully understand the long-term consequences yet. At this juncture, it is critical that parents provide their support instead of thrusting their dreams on their children.
The alignment between parents and students can help propel the process forward and reach a final decision smoothly. Parents may be able to look from a different perspective and draw from their life experiences as well, which will be useful to the child. The main focus at this stage must be the seriousness in decision-making, having realistic goals and focusing on the impact of the choice in the long-term.
Stream flexibility
There is a common misconception that your choice of stream after grade 10 will dictate your entire professional journey. However, that isn’t the case - you can choose your path after grade 12 and move forward accordingly.
While choosing the Physics-Chemistry-Maths-Biology stream gives you maximum freedom to choose multiple fields, other options can also lead you to your desired goals.
For instance, if you choose the commerce stream in grade 11, you can still go into a variety of fields like literature, history, law and design apart from commerce. The advantage of fields like literature and history is that you can enter them irrespective of whatever subjects you studied in higher secondary school. Students have more options than ever, right now.
In general, creative careers allow far more stream flexibility than usual. After a degree in design, you don’t necessarily have only the art and design pathway to go into. You can also become a UI/UX or product designer and later move into product management. Your portfolio carries more value than your marks, so focus more on developing your skills.
Entrance exams
Now that we have seen an overall picture of how choosing streams works, let us move on to the next important thing: entrance exams. There are two main categories:
Institute-related entrance exams
Colleges typically have a format for admission which consists of a standard national-level entrance exam, followed by an interview and/or more steps depending on their institutional rules. IITs, NITs and IIITs admit based on JEE scores, private universities may place emphasis on other factors like cutoff marks, range of ranks and portfolios/assessments. Remember that the score alone can’t guarantee you admission everywhere.
Domain-specific entrance exams
These exams are conducted as part of the recruitment process and are not degree-related. For instance, the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) conducts multiple exams like RRB Group D, RRB NTPC, ALP and other exams for different roles and levels. Another example is UPSC, which can lead to jobs in IAS, IES and other services.
The takeaway here is that the exam system in India is huge and diverse. No matter what stream and degree you pursue, you can always switch to another degree or career path with the help of the concerned exam.
NEP framework
The National Education Policy (NEP) has transformed the way higher education works in the country. It has a feature called the multi-exit system, wherein a student could choose to quit or pause after years 1, 2 or 3 and still receive a certificate or diploma. This lets students explore their interests without wasting years.
This policy has also increased flexibility in academia by granting options to change majors or take interdisciplinary subjects. This allows students to find new subjects of interest and is especially relevant in this rapidly changing academic landscape. Additionally, moving to a 4-year degree format helps match the 16-year education requirement abroad, making international applications easier for students.
NEP implementation is happening at different speeds in institutions. Some have already transitioned into the 4-year model, while others are in the middle of a transition.
Studying abroad vs within the country
Building on the aspect of applying abroad, many of us have a lingering doubt as to which is better - studying within the country or outside?
The education system in India is traditionally seen as a theory-heavy curriculum. However, that is changing with emphasis on practical learning through internships, skill-building and a focus on research. On the other hand, universities abroad grant more freedom with respect to choosing courses, changing majors, and even taking up interdisciplinary courses. Students can work on various projects and internships while studying in college.
Make your choice based on the following factors: the style of teaching, your goals, career prospects and the cost associated with the degree. India remains cost-effective, while education abroad is definitely expensive. A good middle ground is completing a bachelor's degree in India and pursuing a master’s degree abroad. There is no real correct choice here. Do what suits your goals the best.
Clarity Action Plan (CAP)
CAP mapping helps students make clearer career decisions using interests, academic strengths and personality. This helps students understand which path genuinely fits them.
Steps:
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List 4-5 interest areas (e.g., design, coding, biology, psychology, business, etc.).
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Note your strengths with respect to subjects and skills like communication, creativity, logic or leadership.
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Take a psychometric test and treat the results as clues, not final answers.
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Create your CAP table by matching interest - evidence - personality traits.
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Do 1 small experiment each week, be it a short course, a project, a club activity or shadowing a professional.
This builds clarity through exploration, not guesswork.
The role of AI
In today’s fast-changing world, learning cannot stop at school subjects. Students across all streams should build a foundation in:
- Basic AI awareness
- Coding fundamentals
- Data literacy
- Communication & soft skills
- Problem-solving
- Digital tools
AI is already transforming sectors from finance to healthcare to agriculture (including through drones and sensors). The academic and employment landscape is evolving faster than ever. AI isn’t going to replace humans, but people who ignore AI may get replaced by those who understand and work effectively with it. This is why students need transferable skills.
None of the streams, be it science, commerce or humanities, closes doors anymore. The real advantage comes from understanding your interests and building relevant skills over time. With the right guidance and a willingness to adapt, students can choose career options that fit who they are and who they aspire to become.
So the real question is - are you ready to choose a path that truly aligns with who you are becoming?
