For decades, science students in India have assumed that they must choose between becoming a doctor or an engineer. Apart from the conventional options, careers in technology, research, and environmental sciences have now become prominent options for science students. Emerging fields like AI development, machine learning, data sciences, biotechnology, and cybersecurity have presented science students with more options than ever. 

So, whether you have passed class 12 with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths) or PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), you have a wide range of career paths to consider. This guide offers a comprehensive understanding of the different career options available to science students, covering popular courses, eligibility, and entrance exams as well.

Popular career paths after 12th science

Medical and health sciences

A career in medical and health sciences can be one of the most fulfilling career options for a PCB student. The Indian healthcare sector was around $372 billion (roughly Rs. 32,31,936 Crores) in 2024 and is currently growing at a CAGR of 22%. The sector is expected to reach $610 billion (roughly Rs. 52,99,680 Crores) by 2026, creating vast opportunities in various clinical practice areas, research domains, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical verticals. 

Popular courses:

  • MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)
  • BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) 
  • B.Sc. Nursing
  • B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy)
    BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery)
  • BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathy)
  • BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy)
  • B.VSc (Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences)

Eligibility requirements

The student must have:

  • Completed class 12 with PCB subject securing at least 50% marks in aggregate.
  • Cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to MBBS and BDS programmes. 
  • Entrance exams for nursing and pharmacy programmes can vary depending on the institution in question. 

Engineer

India produces a staggering 1.5 million engineers annually. Engineering offers specialisations in various fields, including civil, mechanical, electrical, computer, biotechnology, and others. Engineers work to develop, design, and test systems, structures, and machines to create a positive impact on society. 

Popular courses

  • Bachelors in Civil engineering
  • Bachelors in Mechanical engineering
  • Bachelors in Electrical engineering
  • Bachelors in Computer science engineering
  • Bachelors in Chemical engineering

Eligibility

  • Student must have completed class 12 with PCM subject, securing at least 50% marks in aggregate.
  • They must pass the JEE Mains and JEE Advanced for admission to IITs, NIITS, etc. State-level entrance exams like WBJEE and KCET is mandatory for other institutes. 
  • Private colleges may conduct their own exams like BITSAT. 

Data scientist, cybersecurity specialist, and AI specialist

The rapidly growing pace of India’s digital transformation makes careers in IT and cybersecurity prominent options for science students after class 12. Careers in IT, cybersecurity, data sciences, and ML are expanding quickly, given the shift in the employment patterns of the country. 

Popular courses

  • BCA (Bachelors of Computer Applications)
  • B.Sc. in IT (Bachelor of Science in Information Technology)
  • B.Sc. in Computer Science
  • B.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • B.Sc. in Cloud Computing
  • B.Sc. in Cybersecurity 

Eligibility

  • The student must have completed class 12 with computer science or maths as core subjects. 
  • Admissions to courses are based on merit. However, some colleges may conduct entrance exams. 
  • For specific courses like AI and data science, institutes can consider scores from university/nation-level entrance tests. 

Careers in pure sciences and research

If research is your passion, you can opt for a career in pure sciences by pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree. This field offers endless opportunities spanning a variety of career options in academia, research and development, and data analytics. 

Popular courses

  • B.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics.
  • B.Sc. in biology, biotechnology, zoology, microbiology, botany, or genetics.
  • B.Sc. in Geology
  • B.Sc. in Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • B.Sc. in Environmental Sciences 
  • B.Stat (Bachelor of Statistics) 

Eligibility 

  • Students must have completed class 12 science with the relevant subject combination.
  • Biology is mandatory for biological science courses. 
  • Certain entrance exams are mandatory for admission into top institutions. For instance, you have to pass the IISER Aptitude Test to qualify for IISER. Similarly, the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is mandatory for admission in NISER. 
  • The ISI admission test is mandatory for admission in courses offered by the Indian Institute of Statistics on maths and statistics.

Architect 

According to a World Bank Report, India’s towns and cities will be home to 300 million people or 40% of the country’s population by 2036. This offers a unique opportunity for budding architects and urban planners to design growing urban spaces. If your passion lies in designing, you can blend your scientific aptitude with this creative passion to pursue a career in architecture and design. 

Popular courses

  • B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture)
  • Interior Design
  • Urban Planning

Eligibility 

  • For a B.Arch, you must have completed class 12 with physics, chemistry, and mathematics. 
  • The National Aptitude Test for Architecture (NATA) is a requirement mandatory for most institutes. 
  • You must pass JEE Mains Paper 2 for some institutions like NITs and SPAs.

Environmental scientist, Marine biologist, and Agricultural scientist

If you are passionate about the sustainability, conservation, and the environment, you can choose from a wide range of career opportunities to better the planet. From working as an environmental scientist to studying the oceans as a marine biologist, this field offers a range of opportunities for those interested in blending a science education with a passion for conservation. 

Popular courses

  • B.Sc in Environmental Sciences
  • B.Sc. in agriculture
  • Marine Biology

Eligibility 

  • Complete class 12 with science subjects.
  • For agricultural courses, you will have to pass common entrance exams like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s AIEEA. 
  • For other courses, there may be university-specific environmental and marine science exams.

Other career options for science students after class 12

Apart from the popular and trending career paths outlined above, you can also choose offbeat options. Popular ones are listed below:

  • Journalist: A 3-year UG Bachelors degree in Journalism/Mass Communication is required.
  • Psychologist: A 3-year UG B.A/B.Sc. degree focusing on cognitive psychology and research is needed.
  • Entrepreneurship: A 3-year BBA degree focusing on business management and start-up development is preferred. With easy loans from banks and NBFCs, securing capital to start a business has become easy. 

Conclusion 

Just as the range of products available on an online marketplace, there are numerous career paths available to science students. The list of career paths outlined above highlights some of the most common and popular options available to science students after class 12. They cover a wide range of student interests and aspirations to help every individual make an informed choice. If you are still confused about which career option to select, remember to consider what interests you and then explore career paths. Also, check the market demand for roles and specialisations, coupled with the annual income ranges to make an informed decision.