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India · Preschool to career

How education works in India.

A simple map of the Indian system: the NEP 2020 stages, board exams, streams, entrance exams, degrees, skill paths and the words you will hear.

The big picture

Six things to know.

Free school is a right

The Right to Education Act (2009) makes education free and compulsory for every child aged 6 to 14, in a neighbourhood school.

Central and state systems

Education is shared between the central government and the states. Each state runs its own school board, and CBSE, CISCE and NIOS work across the country.

New structure: 5 + 3 + 3 + 4

The National Education Policy 2020 groups schooling into four stages by age, from age 3 to 18, with play-based learning early and more choice later.

Two big exams

Board exams at the end of Class 10 and Class 12 matter most. Class 12 marks set eligibility for entrance exams and admissions.

Entrance exams decide most seats

Engineering, medicine, law, design and central universities admit mainly through national or state entrance tests such as JEE, NEET, CUET and CLAT.

Many kinds of schools

Government schools, government-aided schools, private schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and open schooling (NIOS).

Step by step

From preschool to career.

  1. Ages 3–8

    Foundational stage

    Three years of preschool or Anganwadi, then Classes 1 and 2. Learning through play, stories and activities; reading and number basics.

    Preschool / AnganwadiClass 1–2
  2. Ages 8–11

    Preparatory stage

    Classes 3 to 5: languages, mathematics, and the world around us, through discovery and activities.

    Class 3–5
  3. Ages 11–14

    Middle stage

    Classes 6 to 8: subject teachers for science, mathematics, social science, arts and vocational exposure. Three languages are learned across school.

    Class 6–8NMMS scholarship exam in Class 8
  4. Ages 14–16

    Secondary stage, part 1

    Classes 9 and 10 end with the Class 10 board exam (SSLC, Matric, Madhyamik or CBSE Class 10).

    Class 9–10Class 10 board exam
  5. After Class 10

    Choose a stream or a skill path

    Science (PCM or PCB), Commerce or Humanities for Classes 11–12; or a polytechnic diploma, or an ITI vocational course.

    StreamsDiplomaITI
  6. Ages 16–18

    Secondary stage, part 2

    Classes 11 and 12 (called PUC, Plus Two, HSC or Intermediate in some states) end with the Class 12 board exam.

    Class 11–12Class 12 board exam
  7. After Class 12

    Entrance exams and admissions

    JEE for engineering, NEET for medicine, CUET for central universities, CLAT for law, NDA for the defence forces, CA Foundation for chartered accountancy, and state entrance tests.

    JEENEETCUETCLATNDA
  8. Ages 18–22

    College or university

    Bachelor's degrees of 3 or 4 years (NEP allows a 4-year degree with honours or research). Professional degrees: B.Tech 4 years, MBBS about 5.5 years with internship, integrated law 5 years.

    BA / BSc / BComB.TechMBBSLLB
  9. After a degree

    Postgraduate study and careers

    Master's degrees (GATE for M.Tech, CAT for MBA, NEET-PG for medical postgraduate seats), PhD, government service exams (UPSC, SSC, state PSCs), or jobs.

    GATECATUPSCJobs

After school

The main paths.

University degreeAfter Class 12 · 3–4 years

Arts, science and commerce at state, central and private universities. Central universities admit through CUET.

Engineering and technologyAfter Class 12 · 4 years

B.Tech or B.E. through JEE (IITs, NITs, IIITs) or state entrance tests and private university tests.

Medicine and healthAfter Class 12 · about 5.5 years for MBBS

Every MBBS, BDS and AYUSH seat goes through NEET UG, then MCC or state counselling.

Chartered Accountancy (CA)Register after Class 10 · about 4.5–5 years

ICAI's route: CA Foundation after Class 12, then CA Intermediate, about 2 years of practical training (articleship) and CA Final. Graduates can enter directly at Intermediate. Related routes: Company Secretary (CS, through ICSI) and Cost and Management Accountant (CMA, through ICMAI).

LawAfter Class 12 · 5 years (integrated)

CLAT for the National Law Universities; other universities have their own tests. A 3-year LLB is also possible after a degree.

Polytechnic diplomaAfter Class 10 · usually 3 years

Practical engineering diplomas; graduates can join B.Tech in the second year (lateral entry) in many states.

ITI and skillsAfter Class 8 or 10 · 1–2 years

Industrial Training Institutes train electricians, fitters, welders and more, with apprenticeships through national schemes.

Words you will hear

Glossary.

CBSE: Central Board of Secondary Education; uses NCERT textbooks; the most common national board.
CISCE: Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations: ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12).
NIOS: National Institute of Open Schooling: study Class 10 and 12 at your own pace.
NCERT: National Council of Educational Research and Training: writes the national textbooks.
NEP 2020: National Education Policy 2020: the 5 + 3 + 3 + 4 structure, multidisciplinary learning and skills.
SSLC / Matric: State names for the Class 10 board exam.
PUC / HSC / Plus Two / Intermediate: State names for Classes 11–12 or the Class 12 exam.
JoSAA: Joint seat allocation for IITs, NITs, IIITs and other central institutes, after JEE.
MCC: Medical Counselling Committee: allots the All-India quota of medical seats after NEET.
ICAI, ICSI, ICMAI: The institutes that run the CA, Company Secretary and Cost Accountant qualifications.
NIRF: National Institutional Ranking Framework: India's official ranking of colleges and universities.
UGC, AICTE, NMC, BCI: Regulators for universities, technical education, medical education and legal education.
NSP: National Scholarship Portal: one place to apply for central and many state scholarships.

Official sources

Learn more.

Ministry of Education ↗NEP 2020 ↗NCERT textbooks ↗National Testing Agency ↗National Scholarship Portal ↗

On Global Yuva: board exams by state · maths practice · science practice · JEE and NEET drills · dream professions.

Disclaimer: For informational and educational purposes only. Facts follow the National Education Policy 2020, the Right to Education Act 2009 and official exam bodies, as of October 2026; states implement NEP at different speeds. Rules, programs and dates change; always confirm with the official ministry, board, institution or program. Global Yuva is not affiliated with any government, board or institution named here.