Complete List of Competitive Exams in India After Class 10 and 12 (2025 Edition)

In India, a wide range of competitive exams are available for students after Class 10 and Class 12, covering various fields like engineering, medicine, law, commerce, and defense. These exams are conducted at national, state, and institutional levels.

Competitive Exams After Class 10

After Class 10, the focus is generally on scholarship and talent search exams, as well as entrance exams for specific diploma or vocational courses. These exams help students gain a competitive edge and secure financial aid for their future studies.

• National Talent Search Examination (NTSE): A national-level scholarship exam conducted by the NCERT to identify talented students and provide them with financial assistance.
• Junior Science Olympiad (JSO) & Mathematics Olympiad (IMO): Part of the International Olympiad series, these exams are designed to identify and nurture students with a strong aptitude for science and mathematics.
• National Level Science Talent Search Examination (NSTSE): An exam that evaluates conceptual understanding rather than rote learning in science and math.
• Polytechnic Entrance Exams: State-level entrance exams for admission to diploma courses in engineering and technology.
• Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY): This program has been merged with the INSPIRE Scholarship scheme. It was a national-level fellowship program to encourage students to take up research careers in basic sciences.
• Indian Navy Matric Recruitment: An exam for students who want to join the Indian Navy after Class 10.

Competitive Exams After Class 12

After Class 12, the exams are primarily for admission to undergraduate programs in various professional fields. The choice of exam depends on the student’s stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts).

For Science Stream Students

• Engineering:
  • Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main & Advanced: The premier exams for admission to top engineering colleges, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs).
  • Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT): For admission to the BITS campuses in Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad.
  • VIT Engineering Entrance Exam (VITEEE): For admission to the Vellore Institute of Technology.
• Medical:
  • National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG): The single-window exam for admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical and allied health science courses in India.

For Commerce Stream Students

• Commerce & Management:
  • Common University Entrance Test (CUET): Mandatory for admission to undergraduate programs in various Central, State, and private universities, including courses like B.Com (Hons) and BBA.
  • Common Law Admission Test (CLAT): For admission to integrated law programs (e.g., B.A. LLB) at National Law Universities (NLUs).
  • Integrated Program in Management Admission Test (IPMAT): For admission to the five-year Integrated Program in Management (IPM) offered by some IIMs.

For Arts and Humanities Stream Students

• Arts & Humanities:
  • Common University Entrance Test (CUET): The primary exam for admission to undergraduate programs in arts and humanities at various universities.
  • All India Law Entrance Test (AILET): For admission to law programs at the National Law University, Delhi.
  • NIFT Entrance Exam: For undergraduate courses in fashion and design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology.
  • NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture): For admission to Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) programs.

For All Streams

• Defense & Government:
  • National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam: Conducted by UPSC for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA.
• General University Admissions:
  • Common University Entrance Test (CUET): Now the standard entrance exam for admission to a wide range of undergraduate programs in Central Universities and many other participating universities.