What Is 12th Class Degree Called in India? Everything You Need to Know

The confusion about the Class 12 degree name is real among Indian students. This is because different learners from different boards and states call Class 12 passing differently.

As soon as learners graduate from their school, they have to apply for higher institutions and jobs. In the form, they ask for their Class 12 grades. But many learners get confused when they see different names of Class 12 degrees in different application forms.

For this, learners and parents need to know all the terms used for 12th Class degrees in India. And, in this article, you will understand what it is and how it varies with educational boards in India.

Understanding the Indian education system

The Indian Education System earlier followed the 10+2 system, but the new 5+3+3+4 system was introduced to include a foundational stage in the learning of children.

The 10+2 education system educated learners for 10 years from Class 1-10 and then 2 years more in Class 11-12.

This foundational stage puts more emphasis on nursery and kindergarten (lower and upper). The primary education system consists of Classes 1-5. The secondary education system has three levels: lower secondary (Class 6-8), middle or secondary education (Class 9-10), and higher secondary (Class 11-12).

The tertiary education includes college and university education where children seek degrees like Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and Doctorate.

Once an individual attains knowledge as per their level of aspiration, they can get suitable future jobs in India.

What is the 12th class degree called in India?

First of all, after passing 12th Class, learners are given a certificate, but it is not a degree. The Class 12 certificate is named differently based on different boards and states. The following are the names of the 12th Class degree in India:

1. Senior secondary certificate

The most widely accepted of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is the Senior Secondary Certificate.

The Senior Secondary School Certificate is given to students who successfully complete CBSE Class 12 examinations, and this is the end of higher secondary education.

This certificate is accepted by Indian universities, government institutions, private employers, foreign universities, and immigration authorities. It is one piece of evidence of the final stage of school education completion.

2. Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)

In India, the Class 12 examination is also known as the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC), which is awarded by several state education boards to students when they finish their higher secondary exams.

Mostly, Indian education boards like Maharashtra State Board, Gujarat Board, Tamil Nadu Board, and Kerala Board prefer using this name for class 12th degree.

3. Intermediate certificate

In some States of India, Higher Secondary Certificate is known as Intermediate Certificate. This is particularly the case in states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.

Students attend Intermediate Colleges for Classes 11 and 12, and leave with an Intermediate Certificate. The qualification is equivalent academically to other Class 12 qualifications.

4. 10+2 qualification

In India, the term 10+2 Qualification is used as a general term for higher secondary education. It is not a particular certificate or degree, but it resembles the level of education a person achieves after completing 10 years of schooling and 2 years of higher secondary education.

A lot of college admission forms, job applications, competitive exams, etc., just require a yes or no answer to the question of whether one has done 10+2.

What is 10th and 12th class called in India?

A lot of students also have queries on official names of Class 10 and Class 12 qualifications.

Upon completion of Class 10, students are awarded the Secondary Certificate, Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Matriculation Certificate, and High School Certificate. The name is dependent on the education board that learners choose to study from at the end of Class 10.

As mentioned above, the Class 12th certificate has multiple names based on the education board and the state from which the learners have attained their learning. These names can be +2 certificate, Higher Secondary Certificate, Intermediate Certificate, or Senior Secondary Certificate.

People often confuse the names Matriculation Certificate and Intermediate Certificate in daily life when talking about clearing Class 10 and Class 12.

Major educational boards in India and 12th class degree names

The names given to the Class 12 certificate under different educational boards of India are different.

Although there is sometimes different terminology for the same qualification, all recognised boards offer qualifications that are broadly accepted for higher education and employment.

1. Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is one of the most renowned education boards of India. CBSE schools are found in many countries of the world and in India.

The students who passed the CBSE Class 12 examinations are awarded the Senior Secondary School Certificate.

CBSE is known for its nationally standardised curriculum, which is focused on competitive exam preparation. CBSE board has familiarity with universities around the world, as the medium of education is both English and Hindi.

Students who are going to appear for engineering, medical, and national-level entrance examinations prefer CBSE due to its syllabus being very similar to the exams.

2. Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

Indian School Certificate (ISC) exam is conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) for Class XII.

Students receive the Indian School Certificate (ISC), a recognised and valued qualification in our own country and abroad. Often, CISCE board schools focus mainly on English language proficiency, analytical thinking, literature and humanities, and a balanced academic curriculum.

ISCE students can get admission and merit seats in College, University, or any other University in India or abroad.

3. State education boards

Different states have their own education boards that conduct Class 10th and Class 12th board exams, and thus, the Class 12 certification has different terms. The state boards either issue an Intermediate Certificate, Higher Secondary Certificate, or Senior Secondary Certificate, depending on the state and its board.

4. National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)

NIOS is an open schooling option that anyone can access. Learners who study in NIOS receive an SSC certificate (Senior Secondary Certificate) after passing Class 12th. NIOS provides flexible learning options as learners can study from recorded lectures at any time and from anywhere.

Those who are committed to other things in their life choose NIOS to complete their school graduation and land jobs and colleges that can shape their lives for the better.

12th class degree called in India: Streams available after Class 10

After Class 10, learners get the first opportunity to choose the subjects that would form a pathway to their career. For this, Class 11 and 12 sessions have different streams that consist of varied subjects.

The streams with different Class 11 subject combinations after Class 10 include:

1. Science stream

Science stream consists of three subject combinations. First is PCM (stands for Physics, Chemistry, and Maths), second is PCB (stands for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), and the last one is PCMB (stands for Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Biology).

Learners who are solely interested in knowing the realms of the world better choose the Science Stream. Learners can excel in fields like engineering, research, medicine, agriculture, psychology, artificial intelligence, and whatnot.

Apart from getting well-paying jobs, individuals also have the benefit of switching careers in later periods of life. This is because passing from the Science stream keeps your options open and is highly accepted in colleges and universities for most career plans.

2. Commerce stream

Another interesting stream is Commerce, which is overall about business and its related fields. For example, a learner who has passed Class 12 in the Commerce stream can either go for BBA, B. Com., BCA, or sit for CA (Chartered Accountancy) entrances. Many learners also aspire to become CS (Company Secretary) and serve in Cost and Management Accountancy (CMA).

These individuals have a good understanding of economics and business management, which also gives them the option to become an entrepreneur.

The subjects taught in the Commerce Stream are Accountancy, Business Studies, and Economics. Learners can also take either Mathematics as their optional subject. Taking Maths gives learners an edge in choosing careers ahead.

3. Arts or humanities stream

Learners who are more drawn towards theory and philosophy often choose the Arts Stream. Arts stream includes knowing more about social sciences, literature, public administration, law, journalism, creative fields, society, culture, history, politics, and the behaviour of people.

Though learners think the Arts stream to be least valuable or worthy, it offers varied career options and employment in both private and government sectors.

Most people, after doing a PhD in the subject of interest, go for teaching careers that pay well.

4. Vocational stream

The Vocational stream is designed for attaining knowledge and skills, and it aims at preparing students to enter a particular industry or profession immediately after course completion.

Students are given training on practical aspects in specific areas like information technology, tourism, hospitality, farming, healthcare, electronics, beauty and wellness, and fashion designing.

In the vocational stream, students can go for a job after Class 12th, pursue diploma programs, pursue further education in related areas, or develop industry-specific technical skills. These 21st-century skills are highly appreciated in employment industries.

Importance of the 12th class degree called in India

A 12th Class degree is extremely significant in India because without this, your school education will not be considered complete by colleges or employers.

Explore other advantages of getting a Class 12th degree after passing it:

1. Gateway to higher education

The only possible way to go for higher education is by passing Class 12th and getting your certificate. Every university and college demands these certificates before admitting learners to their premises.

2. Eligibility for competitive examinations

Apart from higher education opportunities, passing Class 12 with flying colours enables you to take competitive exams and get enrolled in renowned government colleges and find government jobs.

Exams like NEET, JEE Main, JEE Advanced, CA entrance, UPSC, SSC, and many others require eligibility criteria to pass Class 12.

3. Employment opportunities

Passing Class 12 offers many employment opportunities. Though these jobs might have lower pay, they are enough to support your higher education fees.

The jobs are from fields like sales and marketing, banking support services, customer service, retail, hospitality, data entry, government departments, defence services, and even railways.

4. Foundation for professional careers

Professional careers demand higher education and good experience. Both of these are possible only after completing Class 12 and getting a passing certificate from your school.

The different subjects and streams chosen in Class 11 and 12 shape your career opportunities in the future.

Recognition of 12th class degree in India and abroad

12th Class degree is fully recognised all over India. Depending on the board from which you complete your Class 12, the parameter of recognition varies.

For example, any job or higher education institution looks for a 12th Class degree while reviewing your profile to choose you.

Even in other countries, colleges and universities look for Class 12 certificates as proof that you have graduated successfully from school. However, these universities also prefer if the students have qualified IELTS or satisfy a certain passing percentage criterion.

Conclusion

12th Class degree in India is one of the foundational qualifications needed in employment sectors and college admissions. It is the certificate that an individual can have after getting passing marks in the final results of Class 12.

It has several names but has equal value in every field. The names vary with the boards from which you have qualified and can be called Senior Secondary Certificate, Higher Secondary Certificate, Intermediate Certificate, or +2 Certificate.

If you want to study in higher institutions for better career opportunities in India or abroad, you will have to pass Class 12. So, having clarity about the names is necessary, and we hope that you were able to have it from the above article.

Frequently asked questions