After HSLC: Science, Arts or Commerce?

• For students in Nagaland, finishing the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examination is a major milestone. This Class 10 exam, conducted by the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE), marks the completion of high schooling. The next step is deciding which academic stream to pursue in higher secondary (Class 11 and 12).
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• Students can choose one of three main streams: Science, Arts, or Commerce. It is often the first time they have a say in what they will study, allowing them to focus on subjects they find most interesting. This choice is very important because it will shape the subjects they study and can influence their future education and career. 
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• In 2024, a total of 17,911 candidates appeared for the HSSLC examination conducted by NBSE. Of these, 14,166 students were enrolled in the Arts stream, making it the most popular choice among students. The Science stream had 2,521 candidates, while 949 students opted for the Commerce stream.
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• In 2025, the overall number of candidates decreased slightly to 17,194. Among them, 12,403 students appeared in the Arts stream, showing a decline from the previous year. The number of candidates in the Science stream rose to 3,219, while the Commerce stream also saw an increase, with 1,026 students appearing for the exam.
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• The number of students appearing in each academic stream offers insight into students' preferences and emerging trends. Students often face pressure from parents or friends when making this choice, or they base it on their exam marks, but ideally the selection should depend on one’s own interests, strengths, and goals. Choosing a stream that does not fit a student's interests may lead to dissatisfaction, whereas making an informed choice based on one’s strengths can help the student do well.
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• Some schools have limited seats in each stream, so admission might depend on the HSLC results. For example, if many students apply for Science, a school may set a minimum required mark in Class 10 Science and Mathematics for admission. Commerce and Arts generally have more open eligibility criteria, but it is still important to meet the basic requirements set by the school. It’s advisable to check the specific admission guidelines of the institution that one plans to join for higher secondary. Also, in Nagaland, often, not every school offers all three streams.
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• Science stream
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• The Science stream covers subjects that explain how the natural world works. Students in this stream typically study Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics, along with a language like English. 
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• These science subjects build on what students learnt in Class 10. For example, Physics explores the principles of matter and energy (covering topics like motion, forces, electricity, and sound). Chemistry focuses on substances, elements and chemical reactions in detail. Biology studies living organisms, from human anatomy to plant life and ecosystems. Mathematics in the Science stream extends to higher-level concepts such as calculus and advanced algebra, which are necessary for technical fields. Through practical experiments in labs, science students get to apply theories and see scientific phenomena firsthand. 
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• Some schools also offer subjects like Computer Science as part of the Science group. Classes involve theory as well as laboratory practicals, especially in subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. This hands-on aspect helps students understand scientific concepts by doing experiments.
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• In the stream, students often have to choose specific subject combinations. For example, some take Physics, Chemistry, and Biology if they are interested in medical sciences, while others take Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics if they aim for engineering.
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• These choices essentially create a medical track (PCB group) and a non-medical track (PCM group) within the Science stream. In addition to these, a science student usually studies English and sometimes an elective like Computer Science. The Science curriculum is intensive, with a significant amount of theory and laboratory work. Students need to manage time for both solving problems and performing experiments. Those with a strong interest in how things work and in hands-on scientific activities tend to find this stream engaging.
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• The Science stream opens up many opportunities for further study. A common path for science students is to enter professional courses like Medicine or Engineering. Students who want to become doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals need to take Science in classes 11–12 and then attend medical college. 
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• Similarly, those aiming to become engineers study Science and Mathematics in higher secondary and then go on to engineering colleges. In fact, many students choose Science because it keeps options open for both medical and engineering fields. In India, Science students aiming for professional degrees also need to clear competitive entrance exams after Class 12 (for instance, the NEET exam for medical colleges or the JEE exam for engineering colleges).
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• Science is also the route to careers in research and advanced science. After Class 12 in the Science stream, a student can pursue a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Mathematics and continue into research or teaching. This can lead to becoming a scientist, lecturer, or researcher in government or private institutions. They can also branch out into applied fields like pharmacy (becoming a pharmacist) or environmental science and forestry. Even Veterinary Science (animal healthcare) is an option, which also requires a science background in higher secondary.
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• Science students have also been entering new technology fields such as information technology, data science, biotechnology, and robotics. They might study Computer Science or related courses in higher education. Even fields like architecture and agriculture often require a science background at the higher secondary level. Moreover, having studied Science is useful for certain defence or aviation careers, where knowledge of physics and maths is required.
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• Arts stream
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• Arts, also known as Humanities, focuses on subjects that study human society, history, and culture. Students who choose Arts typically take subjects like History, Political Science, Geography, and sometimes Economics or Psychology. 
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• For instance, History involves studying past events and their impact on society; Geography examines the Earth’s environment and how people interact with it; Political Science looks at government systems and political ideas; Economics (when taken in Arts) explores basic economic principles; Psychology studies the human mind and behavior; and Sociology focuses on society and social relationships. Studying literature means reading novels, poems, and other works to understand their meaning and context. 
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• Through these diverse subjects, Arts students gain a broad perspective on society, culture, and human behaviour. Courses in literature and languages (such as English or other regional languages) are also common in this stream. These subjects involve a lot of reading and writing, and they help students develop an understanding of social issues, historical events, and human behaviour.
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• An Arts student’s school experience is quite different from that of a Science student. There are no laboratory experiments; instead, learning involves a lot of reading and writing. Subjects in Arts often require students to write long answers, essays, and reports. They learn to analyse information and present arguments clearly in their writing. 
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• Good reading comprehension and communication skills are developed in this stream. Many Arts students in Nagaland also choose to study elective subjects like Education (which introduces the basics of teaching and the philosophy of education) or local languages, depending on what the school offers.
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• For many students in Nagaland, Arts is a preferred choice, especially for those interested in social sciences or aiming for certain careers in the future. One reason students choose Arts is to prepare for civil service examinations. In India, exams for services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) include topics from history, political science, geography, and other humanities subjects. Studying Arts in higher secondary can thus give a good foundation for those who want to become civil servants.
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• The Arts stream can lead to a variety of professions. After 12th Arts, students often pursue a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in a subject of their interest. They might then become teachers or lecturers if they study further and obtain qualifications in education. To teach in schools, for example, an Arts student would later need to complete a B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education) after their graduation. Many Arts graduates also go for M.A. (Master of Arts) degrees to deepen their knowledge in a specific subject. Arts graduates also commonly enter fields like journalism and mass communication, using their skills in writing and critical thinking to become reporters, editors, or media professionals.
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• Careers in law are another option: a student can finish Class 12 in Arts and then go to law school to become a lawyer. Social work is a field that Arts students enter by studying subjects like sociology or social services and then working with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or government agencies. 
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• Creative fields such as literature, fine arts, or music are also open to Arts students. Some may become writers, translators, or pursue performing arts and music professionally. Fields like archaeology or anthropology are also options: an arts student who studies history or culture can become an archaeologist or anthropologist after further studies. Similarly, someone who focuses on languages could work as a translator or linguist.
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• Commerce stream
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• The third main stream for students after Class 10 is Commerce. This stream deals with subjects related to business, finance, and economics. In the Commerce stream, students study core subjects such as Accountancy, Business Studies, and Economics. 
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• Accountancy involves learning how to record financial transactions and understand balance sheets and profit/loss statements. Business Studies (or Business Administration) introduces how businesses are formed, managed, and operate day-to-day. Economics in commerce covers economic theories, markets, and how the economy works at both micro and macro levels. 
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• Many schools also include Mathematics or a subject like Entrepreneurship as part of Commerce. For students who are less confident in advanced mathematics, many schools offer alternatives like Informatics Practices or Entrepreneurship instead of Maths. Like other streams, English is usually a compulsory subject here as well. 
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• Through these subjects, students learn about financial statements, business operations, markets, and the economy. For instance, in Accountancy they learn how to maintain financial records, and in Economics they study how the economy works. Commerce classes often involve working with numbers and understanding principles of business. Mathematics in Commerce typically includes topics like statistics and business math which are useful for finance. Informatics Practices teaches computer applications and data handling, which are increasingly important in modern business. Entrepreneurship as an optional subject gives basic knowledge on how to start and run businesses.
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• Students who have an interest in finance or business often find Commerce suitable. This stream opens pathways to many professional courses and careers in the commercial and corporate sectors. 
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• After completing Class 12 in Commerce, many students go on to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree or related qualifications. A common goal for Commerce students is to become a Chartered Accountant (CA) or a Company Secretary, which are professional qualifications in accounting and corporate law.
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• Others may pursue degrees in Business Administration (such as BBA and later an MBA) to prepare for management roles.
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• Commerce provides a good background for careers in banking and finance — for example, working as a bank officer, financial analyst, or investment advisor. It also lays the groundwork for roles in marketing and sales, because understanding business principles helps in those jobs. Some Commerce students become entrepreneurs, starting their own business ventures by applying the knowledge of accounting and management they have gained. 
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• For example, Commerce students might start a shop, a marketing agency, or an online store and use their academic knowledge to run it efficiently. Additionally, Commerce can lead to opportunities in the stock market and trading; a student with a Commerce background could work as a stock broker or in financial trading after further specialised training. 
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• Economic knowledge from the Commerce stream can also lead to careers as economists or policy analysts. A student who excels in Economics in Class 12 might continue that subject at university and work as an economist in the government or private sector, studying market trends and advising on financial policy.
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• Commerce students also often appear for competitive examinations for jobs in banks or other financial institutions. Their background in Accountancy and Finance can give them an edge in banking exams and related government job tests.
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• The daily routine and workload can differ for each stream. Science students often spend extra time in laboratories and solving problem sets for Physics, Chemistry, or Maths. Arts students may have more reading and writing to do, such as working through history chapters or writing essays and interpretations for literature or social studies. Commerce students frequently practice accounting exercises and study real-world business examples or economic news. Each stream requires consistent study habits, but the style of learning and assignments varies.
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• Apart from these three streams, students can also consider vocational courses after HSLC. Vocational programmes are skill-based and focus on practical fields like agriculture, electronics, carpentry, hospitality, or other trades. 
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• These courses often last for a shorter duration and aim to train students for specific jobs. For example, one could enrol in a polytechnic diploma for engineering or an ITI course for trades such as electrician or mechanic. There are also paramedical programmes for roles like lab technician or X-ray technician and other courses in areas like hospitality, construction, or beauty services. 
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• These programmes usually last from a few months to a couple of years and prepare students for skilled jobs directly. This option is often taken by students who want to start working earlier or learn a trade in a hands-on way, rather than following the longer academic path. However, most students in Nagaland choose to continue with one of the three main academic streams in Classes 11 and 12, which then allows them to pursue full undergraduate degrees at colleges or universities later.
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• As a final note, it is possible in some cases to change one’s field later, but not every switch is easy. For example, a student who took Science in Class 11 and 12 can transition into courses like humanities or business for their higher studies, but a student who did not take Science would generally not be eligible for fields like engineering or medicine. Thus, choosing Science keeps certain future options open. However, this should not be the only reason to pick Science, because succeeding in any stream requires genuine interest in the subjects. All streams have value, and a student can excel in their chosen field if they are dedicated.
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• Each stream has its own scope and advantages. Science, Arts, and Commerce all offer pathways to rewarding careers, but in different domains. There is no single "best" stream for everyone; the best choice depends on the individual student's interests, strengths, and career goals. 
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• They should gather information on different fields and, if possible, seek guidance from teachers or career counsellors. Thinking about which subjects they have enjoyed the most and which careers appeal to them can help each student make a well-informed choice.
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