For most students in class 9th and 10th, visions of a career path are mostly restricted to childhood dreams.
“I’ll grow up to be a pilot…a teacher…a doctor!”
Ever since those early flights of fancy, very few actually give their career choice a serious thought.
Yet as class 9th ends or class 10th begins, all of a sudden, this question starts coming up in a big way. Parents, family, teachers (sometimes even friends) can’t stop talking about how you need to choose your stream after class 10th and that it is time you start deciding.
Now, you haven’t even started thinking about your career or stream yet, how are you supposed to choose a stream that’s going to be there with you for 2 years, and a career that may stay with you for the rest of your life?
Alright, let’s not panic here. Stream choice can seem like a daunting task, but it is actually not that difficult if you are aware of your options and engage in a bit of diligent research and introspection.
The best thing to do is to take it a step at a time. So, why not start with the basics? Let’s first look at what stream choice is all about, and the streams in class 11 CBSE, along with the subjects offered in each.
CBSE offers 3 stream options which determine the subjects you will study in your class 11th and 12th and the career options you would ultimately have in the future.
The 3 streams in class 11 CBSE are:
1. Science
2. Commerce
3. Arts/Humanities
Let’s look at each of them in detail.
The applicant must have passed SSC or an equivalent level exam from Maharashtra Board or another recognised board.
English has to be the main subject in the exam
For the admission in bifocal subjects, the candidate must have opted for General Mathematics as one of the subjects for a qualifying degree.
The student must have acquired a minimum total of 35 per cent in Class 10th for admission for Science stream.
The students with the domicile of Maharashtra will be provided with Constitutional reservation for admission.
The students who are out of the state or who have passed class 10th from CBSE or other board other than Maharashtra board will have to fill a separate form.
This is one stream that most of you would have a fair bit of idea about. Not just because everyone studies science subjects till class 10th at least, but also because this is a stream people can’t seem to stop talking about. From statements like, “Go for the science stream so that you can become an Engineer or a Doctor” to even “You are good at academics, you would be thinking of opting science, I’m sure?”
While these notions hardly hold a candle to reality, chances are you would have some type of understanding about what the science stream entails.
The Science stream, as I mentioned above, relates to the study of the physical and natural world through the study of pure sciences and their applications in the real world. From understanding how the laws of gravitation govern planetary motion to learning about the structure of the atom, you will uncover the many mysteries of the world around us.
Thus, innate curiosity and keenness to explore, coupled with a logical thinking ability are essential to be successful in this stream.
The science stream has two sub-branches, divided based on the third subject you study:
1. Medical – Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, Optional Subject
2. Non-Medical – Physics, Chemistry, Maths, English, Optional Subject
Physics and Chemistry are common to both the branches and the primary difference lies in whether you opt for Mathematics (PCM) or Biology (PCB). However, students sometimes go with a combination of the two (PCMB), choosing to study Mathematics in place of the optional subject. A PCMB combination has its own pros and cons, and it is a decision you should take only after careful consideration.
While the first 4 subjects are tied to the stream you choose and are compulsory for all students to study, CBSE gives you a choice for your 5th subject or optional subject.
The board offers many choices, but the most commonly-opted for optional subjects with science are:
1. Medical – Psychology, Biotechnology, Mathematics, Economics, Home Science, Fine Arts, Physical Education
2. Non-Medical – Computer Science, Economics, Physical Education, Engineering Drawing, Fine Arts, Psychology
Although the medical branch has been so named because it opens a pathway to a career in Medicine after class 12th, don’t be misled by the name thinking that is all there is to it. There are many alternate careers and routes available with the stream if you decide to go that way.
From options in the biological and life sciences, such as Zoology, Botany, Microbiology, Biochemistry, to options in allied fields like Nutrition, Pharmacology, Psychology, Biotechnology, etc., there is a lot of options for you to explore. Apart from these, those interested in medicine, yet not willing to go the standard MBBS route can even explore alternate branches of medicine (like Dentistry, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, etc.) or allied medicine fields (like Physiotherapy, Clinical Research, Audiology, etc.)
Similarly, popular opinion dictates that Engineering is the only option (or the only suitable option) for PCM students. Well, that is definitely not the case. Non-medical students can build their careers in a wide range of exciting fields such as Architecture, Aviation, Statistics, Defense, Design, Ethical Hacking, Merchant Navy, Computer Applications, Physics, Chemistry, and the list goes on.
The next in line, Commerce is not without its own associated myths. The most popular ones being, “Commerce is good for average students who cannot get into science” or “Commerce is only suitable for students from business families.”
These are again a far cry from the truth. Commerce is a field that relates to the study of business, trade and finance. Commerce students study how goods and services are exchanged, how businesses operate, how financial transactions occur, how the economy of the country works, and more. The indispensability of commerce and its related careers to our day-to-day living makes it a lucrative field to explore, and one with a wide choice of career options too.
While you may or may not choose to study Mathematics as part of Commerce, numbers form the base for this stream. A strong hold over calculations and fundamentals of maths, and the ability to deal with large amounts of data are critical elements of success in the commerce stream.
Commerce is a stream that students generally have the least idea about since its three main subjects are new to most students.
The following are the subjects you are required to study: Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, English, Mathematics (or optional subject)
Accountancy as subject covers concepts related to the managing of the income and finances of a business or an individual. You study topics like transactions, expenditure, cash books, memos, trial balance, trading, profit, etc. and learn how to make a balance sheet.
On the other hand, as part of Business Studies, you study about the types of businesses and organizations, differences between private and public sector companies, models of business, business finance, international trade, etc. For Economics, you study about Indian economic development, statistical tools, demand and supply, government budget and economy, etc.
For the fifth subject, the board gives a choice between Mathematics and other elective subjects. Thus, if you are not very comfortable with maths, you can choose not to study it.
The optional subjects available with the Commerce stream are:
Informatics Practices, Physical Education, Computer Science, Multimedia and Web Technology, Entrepreneurship, Legal Studies, Psychology and Fine Arts
The commerce stream is a popular choice amongst students looking to build their career in the fields of accounting, banking, finance and related areas. With the right knack for numbers and data, you can build a highly lucrative and financially rewarding career in these fields.
The major and popular career options for commerce students after 12th include Chartered Accountancy (CA), Company Secretary (CS), Actuarial Science, Management, Economics, Bank PO, Investment Banking, Stockbroking, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Law, Hotel Management, and many more.
Original and attested copies of class 10th Mark sheet
School leaving certificate
Passport-sized photograph
Domicile Certificate (if applicable)
Reservation Certificate (if applicable)
Duly filled Appendix form for candidates other than Maharashtra board
Admission application formÂ