Career guide · Business, Finance, Law & Public Service
Subjects, entrance exams and your routes after Class 12
Serving as an officer in the Army, Navy or Air Force — leading people, operating complex systems and protecting the country.
Written by Future Path counsellors. Facts checked against official sources on 5 October 2026.
How each stream keeps Defence Services open, based on the official subject rules for the routes below.
Arts / Humanities
Open
via NDA — Army wing
Commerce
Open
via NDA — Army wing
Science (PCM)
Open
via NDA — Army wing and NDA — Air Force / Navy wings
Science (PCB)
Open
via NDA — Army wing
Many universities set their own subject rules, so always check the course you want. Not sure which stream suits your child? Read how to choose a stream after 10th or see every Class 11 subject option.
Sources: [1]
Air Force candidates also take the Computerised Pilot Selection System.
Sources: [1]
Reliable published data on how this field is changing isn't available yet, so we'd rather say so than guess.
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Liking a field is a good start, but the right fit also depends on your strengths, the way you like to work and what matters to you. Our assessment looks at all of these, and your report shows which paths suit you best, with a counsellor to talk it through if you'd like.
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Defence Services has routes open to students from every stream: Arts/Humanities, Commerce and Science. Choose the stream your child will do well and stay interested in; the routes below show the exact subject rules.
NDA Army wing: Class 12 pass in any stream. NDA Air Force and Naval wings (and Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry): Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in Class 12.
The main routes are: NDA — Army wing (National Defence Academy (Army wing)); NDA — Air Force / Navy wings (National Defence Academy (Air Force / Naval wings) and Indian Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry).
Depending on the route: UPSC NDA & NA examination and SSB interview. Always check the latest official bulletin before you apply.
Reliable published data on this isn't available yet, so we'd rather say so than guess.
Interest is a good start, but fit also depends on your strengths, how you like to work and what matters to you. Our assessment looks at all of these and your report shows which paths suit you, with a counsellor available to talk it through.
Rules and dates change every year. Always confirm with the latest official bulletin before applying.
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