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Government jobs after 12th

After Class 12 you can apply for clerk, assistant and constable posts across the central government, and for officer entry into the Army, Navy and Air Force through NDA. Your stream matters only for a few defence and technical posts; most exams accept any stream.

6 central government exams listed with age limits and starting pay · Updated October 2026

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Enter your qualifications, date of birth, category and state. We check every central exam and your state's exams, with your age relaxation applied, and show which are open now.

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Exams that open up after Class 12

  • UPSC NDA & Naval Academy

    UPSC

    Unmarried candidates only. Army wing: any stream. Air Force and Navy: Physics and Maths in Class 12.

    QualificationClass 12
    Age (General)16.5–19.5 yearsNo category relaxation
    Starting payLevel 10 (₹56,100 basic) after commissioning; stipend during training
    Forms usuallyDec, Jan, May or Jun
  • SSC CHSL (LDC, JSA, Data Entry Operator)

    Staff Selection Commission

    Typing test: 35 wpm English or 30 wpm Hindi.

    QualificationClass 12
    Age (General)18–27 yearsOBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD +10
    Starting payPay Level 2–4 (₹19,900–25,500 basic)
    Forms usuallyMay–Jun
  • SSC Stenographer Grade C & D

    Staff Selection Commission

    Grade C up to 30, Grade D up to 27.

    QualificationClass 12
    Age (General)18–30 yearsOBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD +10
    Starting payLevel 4 (Grade D) or Level 6 (Grade C)
    Forms usuallyApr–May
  • Delhi Police Constable (Executive)

    Staff Selection Commission

    Male candidates need a valid car or motorcycle licence (learner licence not accepted).

    QualificationClass 12
    Age (General)18–25 yearsOBC +3, SC/ST +5
    Starting payPay Level 3 (₹21,700 basic)
    Forms usuallyAug, Sep or Oct
  • RRB NTPC – Class 12 posts (Clerk, Ticket Clerk, Typist)

    Railway Recruitment Boards

    50% in Class 12 is not required for SC/ST/PwBD or for graduates.

    QualificationClass 12 (50%)
    Age (General)18–30 yearsOBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD +10
    Starting payPay Level 2–3 (₹19,900–21,700 basic)
    Forms usuallySep, Oct or Nov
  • Agniveer Vayu – Indian Air Force

    Indian Air Force

    50% overall and 50% in English. Science group needs Physics and Maths. Unmarried only.

    QualificationClass 12 (50%)
    Age (General)17.5–21 yearsNo category relaxation
    Starting pay₹30,000 a month in year 1, rising to ₹40,000 in year 4
    Forms usuallyJan, Feb, Mar or Jul

You can also apply for every Class 10 level exam

SSC MTS, SSC GD, RRB Group D, India Post GDS and the others in our after-10th guide stay open to you. Govt jobs after 10th

Govt jobs after 12th science (PCM)

Physics and Maths open the Air Force and Navy wings of NDA, Agniveer Vayu (science subjects), Navy SSR and Coast Guard Navik (General Duty). These are not open to students without Maths and Physics in Class 12.

If you plan further study, engineering (through JEE or state entrance tests) and a polytechnic diploma lead to Junior Engineer posts in SSC and the Railways, and to PSU jobs through GATE.

Govt jobs after 12th science (PCB)

PCB students can take every exam that accepts any stream: SSC CHSL, RRB NTPC (Class 12 posts), Delhi Police and state police constable, and the Army wing of NDA. Navy SSR and the Air Force wing of NDA need Maths, so they are not open without it.

Biology also opens the health sector: GNM or ANM nursing, B.Sc Nursing, pharmacy and lab-technician courses lead to staff nurse, pharmacist and lab-assistant posts in state health departments, AIIMS and Railways.

Govt jobs after 12th commerce

Commerce students can take SSC CHSL, RRB NTPC, SSC Stenographer and constable recruitments. Agniveer Army Clerk/Store Keeper needs 60% overall with at least 50% in English and in Maths or Accounts.

A B.Com then adds accounts-heavy posts such as SSC CGL Accountant and Auditor, and banking jobs (IBPS PO and Clerk, SBI), which need graduation.

Govt jobs after 12th arts

Arts students qualify for the same any-stream exams: SSC CHSL, RRB NTPC, Stenographer, Delhi Police and state police, Agniveer General Duty and the Army wing of NDA.

A two-year D.El.Ed after Class 12 makes you eligible for CTET Paper I and your state's TET, the route to government primary-teacher jobs.

Govt jobs after 12th for girls

Every exam on this page is open to women unless its note says otherwise. Agniveer Army takes women only for the Military Police, and some Coast Guard branches are for men only.

Several states reserve a share of posts for women and give women extra age relaxation in police and state recruitment (Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh are examples). Check your state's guide below.

Govt jobs after 12th without exam

India Post GDS (merit on Class 10 marks) and Railway Act Apprentice posts (merit on Class 10 and ITI marks) do not have a written exam. Almost every other government job, including all SSC and RRB posts, needs a computer-based test.

State government jobs

Each state runs its own civil services, police and staff-selection exams, with its own age limits. Pick your state:

Frequently asked questions

Which is the highest-paying government job after 12th?

NDA leads to an officer's commission at Pay Level 10 (₹56,100 basic) after training. Among civilian jobs, SSC CHSL posts pay up to Level 4 (₹25,500 basic) and SSC Stenographer Grade C pays Level 6 (₹35,400 basic), plus allowances.

What is the age limit for SSC CHSL?

18 to 27 years for General candidates. OBC candidates get 3 extra years (up to 30), SC/ST 5 extra years (up to 32) and PwBD candidates 10 or more extra years.

Can I apply while I am in Class 12?

For some exams, yes. NDA, Agniveer and SSC CHSL usually let students appearing in Class 12 apply, provided they pass by the date in the notification. Railway NTPC needs the result by the closing date.

Is a NIOS Class 12 certificate valid for government jobs?

Yes. NIOS is a national board recognised by the Government of India, and its Class 12 certificate is accepted for central and state government jobs.

How much marks do I need in Class 12?

Most exams only need a pass. Exceptions: RRB NTPC Class 12 posts need 50% (not for SC/ST/PwBD), Agniveer Vayu needs 50% overall and 50% in English, and Agniveer Army Clerk needs 60%.

Not sure which of these fit you?

Enter your qualifications, date of birth, category and state. We check every central exam and your state's exams, with your age relaxation applied, and show which are open now.

Start free career check →

Rules checked against the latest notifications in October 2026. Exam bodies change age limits and cut-off dates each cycle, so always confirm in the official notification before you apply. Age limits shown are for General candidates; see our age relaxation guide.

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