For students in Nagaland, finishing the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examination is a major milestone. The next step is deciding which academic stream to pursue in higher secondary, find out more
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
Arts stream
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Commerce stream
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Others may pursue degrees in Business
Administration (such as BBA and later an MBA) to prepare for management roles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
