Career pathways after school
Not every path goes through a college entrance exam. Here are the diplomas, skill courses and government careers open after Class 10, Class 12 and graduation, with what each one needs, explained plainly.
Most explored pathways
SSC GD Constable
Staff Selection Commission exam for Constable (General Duty) posts in central armed police forces.
- Eligibility
- Class 10 pass; physical standards apply
- Age limit
- 18–23 years (as on 1 Jan 2026)
RRB NTPC
Railway Recruitment Boards exam for non-technical posts, with separate Class 12 and graduate levels.
- Eligibility
- Graduate posts: degree; Undergraduate posts: Class 12 pass
- Age limit
- Undergraduate 18–33 years; Graduate 18–36 years
Indian Army Agniveer
Four-year service in the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme.
- Eligibility
- Class 10 or 12, depending on the post
- Age limit
- 17½–22 years
UP JEECUP (Polytechnic)
Entrance and counselling for polytechnic diploma courses in Uttar Pradesh.
- Eligibility
- Class 10, 12 or graduation depending on course
- Age limit
- Minimum 14 years
UPSC NDA and NA
UPSC exam for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy, leading to officer training.
- Eligibility
- Class 12 pass; Physics and Maths needed for Air Force and Navy wings
- Age limit
- 16½–19½ years, unmarried
CTET
Central Teacher Eligibility Test, needed for teacher jobs for Classes 1 to 8 in central government schools.
- Eligibility
- Paper 1: Class 12 + D.El.Ed. Paper 2: graduation + B.Ed
- Age limit
- Minimum 18 years, no upper limit
Checked 25 September 2026. Official websites come first; where they did not work, a fact is shown only if it was found on at least two independent sites. Recruitment and admission details change every cycle, so always confirm on the official notice.
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