After the 10th grade in most Indian education boards, including CBSE and Karnataka’s PUC, students can choose one stream to study:
Choosing the right stream in the 11th and 12th grades is critical to fulfilling the prerequisites for college programmes. For instance, students who wish to pursue Medicine must have a background in Chemistry and Biology in high school. But, how does one choose the best stream after the 10th?
In all three streams, English is compulsory as the first language, and students can choose a second language between Hindi, Kannada, and Sanskrit.
| Science | Commerce | Arts |
|---|---|---|
| Physics Chemistry Biology Computer Science Electronics Mathematics Statistics |
Bookkeeping and Accountancy Economics Mathematics Statistics Business Studies Computer Science |
History Psychology Sociology Economics Philosophy English Literature Political Science |
In the science stream, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry are compulsory subjects. Students can choose between Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, and Electronics as an optional subject.
In the commerce stream, Bookkeeping and Accountancy, Economics, and Business Studies are compulsory subjects. Students can choose an optional subject between Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science.
In the Arts stream, various colleges offer multiple subject combinations of four subjects, and students can choose the combination which best aligns with their interest.
All three streams have their strengths and lead to lucrative learning and career opportunities. In India, where STEM is given much importance, most students opt for Science as their first preference. However, Commerce and Arts also lead to diverse career fields. Here are a few points to consider while choosing the best stream after the 10th for you:
Your interests are important when you are choosing a stream. If you like to understand the physics behind many natural occurrences, are fascinated by chemical compounds, or are riveted by microorganisms, then consider the Science stream. However, if you are more interested in finance, and business and have a keen sense for numbers with a strong analytical mind, then Commerce is the right stream for you. If you are creatively inclined and want to pursue a career in any field that delves into understanding human society and psychology, then opt for the Arts stream.
While one may be interested in subjects in any single stream, if you do not have the aptitude to support your interests, then you will end up struggling. The subjects that we study in PUC are introduced in various stages of class 8th to 10th. So, you can assess whether you are doing well in them and can grasp the concepts.
Before choosing a stream, shortlist career options that would interest you. There are many roles in various organisations and different types of skills and expertise that are sought from people. You can identify industries, such as aviation, manufacturing, media, etc., or strengths and build on them. If you are good with mathematics but don’t like Science subjects, then you can choose to study finance, data analytics, or computer science.
In the Science stream, Physics and Chemistry are compulsory subjects. Similarly, in Commerce, Bookkeeping and Accountancy are compulsory. So, if you are weak in any of these subjects, then it may hurt your final scores. This in turn can affect the chances for admission in the college programme that you wish to apply for. Understand the syllabus of the elective subjects that you wish to choose and how they align with your larger goal and overall interests.
Seeking outside validation and advice is natural before deciding which stream to choose. However, one must be mindful, even where the advice comes from a place of good intention and experience, it may not always be the best fit for you. So, keep yourself open to recommendations, but choose what you want. After all, it is you that has to study those subjects and build your career based on the talent and skills that you possess.
All the best!
JAIN PU College, a part of the renowned JGI Group, is committed to empowering students with quality education. Beyond academics, the college ensures its online content reflects the same standard of excellence. Every blog and article is meticulously vetted and proofread by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy, relevance, and clarity. From insightful educational topics to engaging discussions, JAIN PU College's content is crafted to inform, inspire, and add value to its readers, reflecting the institution's commitment to intellectual growth and innovation.
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