Streams After 10th

In the Indian education system, reaching the 10th and 12th grades are crucial milestones. After 10th grade, students choose a stream that shapes their future career path, while the 12th grade marks the end of school life. Senior secondary education begins at this stage, making it essential to choose wisely.

The Science and Commerce streams are popular choices, but the Humanities or Arts also offer valuable opportunities. This blog explores the key features and benefits of each stream to help you make an informed decision for Class 11 and set a strong foundation for your future.

How to Select the Right Stream after 10th?

The biggest dilemma any student faces after class 10th is selecting the right stream. Every stream has its pros and cons that make it more difficult to select the right stream. Here are a few tips or things to consider:

• The first step is to understand and evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages of all streams after the 10th
• Examine your stronger subjects and your interests and look for the same in your stream
• The next thing you need to know is about the career scope of the stream you are considering. Not all courses are available for all streams
• Don’t follow others. Don’t select a stream because your friend or cousin is choosing that particular stream. Instead of this, look at what skills match the stream
• It is good to get advice from teachers and parents but don’t choose a stream under pressure. It should be your decision

Also Read: Courses After 12th PCM

What are the Three Main Streams after 10th?

Once you have completed the 10th standard, you reach the beginning of your career path. There are three streams after 10th, i.e. Science, Commerce and Arts. These streams are vast and extensive worlds with wide-ranging sub-disciplines and branches that you can further explore after concluding your schooling.

While Science and Commerce are a mix of theoretical and technical disciplines, Arts can be characterised as more of a theoretical as well as a creatively inclined career stream. Let’s delve deeper into these three imperative streams and the features that each one of them entails.

Science

Science encompasses the systematic study and analysis of the different natural occurrences and phenomena through observation, and theoretical and experimental evaluation.

The scientific study requires the formulation of a hypothesis, careful observation, conducting different kinds of experimentation trying to prove the different hypotheses and drawing conclusions to deny or accept the assumption.

This can lead to the formulation of the various universal laws that allow us to understand our environment and how the various natural phenomena and processes occur. 

Science is an extensive field that studies living and non-living organisms, our surroundings and the universe as a whole. Further, it is also one of the most commonly chosen streams after 10th. At the foundation level, the science stream subjects are divided into 3 broad categories namely: 

1. Chemistry
2. Physics
3. Biology
4. Mathematics
5. Computer Science (Optional)

Commerce

Amidst the three pivotal streams after the 10th, Commerce is the second most popular one after Science. The Commerce stream subjects comprise wide-ranging disciplines and areas that are focused on the world of Business, Economics and Accountancy and it can be termed as the study of business and trade activities.

If you are opting for Commerce after 10th, there are a plethora of careers you can explore in the fields of Management, Business, Marketing, Economics, Accountancy, and Communication amongst others. Further, this stream is filled with rewarding and high-paying jobs such as Company Secretary, Chartered Accountant, Financial Advisor, Investment Banker etc.

Commerce is ideal for those who are good at managing people and things and have good analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Here is a list of the major subjects taught under the Commerce Stream: 

• Economics 
• Accountancy
• Business Communication
• Statistics 
• Mathematics
• Informatics Practises
• Business Studies
• Information Technology
• Finance

Also Read: What is the Role of Bank PO?

Arts/Humanities

The third and one of the most underrated streams after 10th is Arts/Humanities which is a vastly immense discipline filled with a multitude of sub-disciplines and subjects. It can be defined as an integrated field and Arts stream subjects encompass Humanities, Social Sciences, Liberal Arts, Performing Arts, Literature and Linguistics. All the areas under this stream are mainly theoretical and delve deeper into the study of human society and its history. Further, by choosing this career stream, you can explore a wide range of job opportunities in creative as well as academic careers.

As an extensive stream, Arts comprises a plethora of disciplines and sub-disciplines including,

• English 
• Psychology 
• History
• Sociology
• Political Science 
• Geography
• Physical Education
• Economics
• Fine Arts 

Vocational Courses after 10th

After clearing class 10th students have an option to continue schooling or opt for training courses. Some of those courses are under the vocational category. The eligibility criteria for vocational courses are not stiff. There are only a few requirements such as the applicant should be less than 25 years, a class 10th certificate. Here are some of the popular vocational courses:

• Typewriting
• Stenography
• Beautician
• Library Assistant
• Secretarial Roles

Also Read: Government Jobs After 12th Arts Stream

Polytechnic  and Diploma Courses after 10th

Students can also opt for polytechnic courses after the 12th. It is a diploma course and a few diplomas will help students get admission in the second year of a related bachelor’s degree. Polytechnic courses after the 10th are quite popular in India. Let us explore some of the few polytechnic courses:

• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
• Diploma in Automobile Engineering
• Diploma in Electrical Engineering
• Diploma in Aerospace Engineering
• Diploma in Biotechnology Engineering
• Diploma in Computer Engineering
• Diploma in Civil Engineering
• Diploma in Electronics & Communication Engineering

Which Stream is Best after 10th Class?

Deciding on the right stream after the 10th results can be cumbersome and needs meticulous research. But the best way to do so is by sorting out your interests and the career path you want to follow.

If you are inclined towards the field of Science, Engineering and Technology, then the science stream is the perfect one to opt for. For those interested in unravelling the intricacies of business and management, Commerce is an ideal stream to begin with.

If you are interested in interdisciplinary combinations like Language and Linguistics or Computer Science and Business Management, the middle ground lies in the Commerce stream which encompasses a wide range of combinations between these two subjects coming under Science and Commerce respectively.

Also Read: How to Pursue CA After Graduation? Eligibility, Fees and Career Prospects

FAQs

Q1. What can I study after choosing the Science stream?

Ans. You can study subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Biology, leading to careers in engineering, medicine, or research.

Q2. What are the main subjects in the Commerce stream?

Ans. The main subjects are Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, and an optional subject like Mathematics or Informatics Practices.

Q3. Can I get a job after a diploma course post-10th?

Ans. Yes, you can work in fields like engineering, medical lab technology, or finance, depending on your diploma specialization.

Related Read:

Scope of Chemistry	Examples of Chemistry in Everyday Life
Do you Think you Know all About Physics?	Scope of Biology as a Career
Best Engineering Courses For Future	Best Jobs in India: Highest Paid Careers in the World

So, whether you are exploring courses after the 10th or are confused between streams after the 10th, our experts are just a click away from answering all your queries.

Reach out to our Leverage Edu counsellors and we will guide you in selecting the best stream which fits your interests so that you embark on the next stage of your academic journey in the right way! Sign up for a free career counselling session with us today!