Career Pathways for Science Student

07 February,2025  |  By Brainwonders

Choosing the right career after studying science can be overwhelming with numerous options available. From traditional fields like Engineering and Medicine to emerging domains like Biotechnology, Data Science, and AI, science students have diverse career pathways. This guide explores the best career options after 10th and 12th for science students, detailing job opportunities, required skills, and future prospects. Whether you're passionate about research, healthcare, or technology, discover how to align your strengths and interests with the ideal career path. Read on to make an informed decision about your future!

Career Pathways for Data Scientist

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Math)	Focus on Mathematics	College-specific
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
BCA/B.Sc. IT/Computer Science	NIMCET	MCA/M.Sc. Data Science
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)  Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata  Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore  Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi)  Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)

Career Pathways for AI & ML (machine learning) Specialist

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Math)	Focus on Mathematics	College-specific
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Tech/BE (CS/IT)	GATE	M.Tech (AI/ML)
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT Bangalore)

Career Pathways for Software Engineer

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Math)	Focus on Mathematics	JEE Main/Advanced
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Tech/BE (CS/IT)	GATE	M.Tech (CS/IT)
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani National Institute of Technology (NIT) Trichy

Career Pathways for Cybersecurity Expert

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Math)	Focus on Mathematics	College-specific
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Tech/BE (CS/IT)	GATE	M.Tech (Cybersecurity)
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT Hyderabad)

Career Pathways for Biotechnologist

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Biology)	Focus on Biology	JEE/BITSAT
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Sc. Biotechnology	GATE	M.Sc./M.Tech Biotech
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi

Career Pathways for Geneticist

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Biology)	Focus on Biology	JEE/BITSAT
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Sc. Genetics	GATE	M.Sc. Genetics/Biotech
Colleges and Institution
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi University of Delhi Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi

Career Pathways for Environmental Scientist

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Biology/Geography)	Focus on Biology/Geography	College-specific
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Sc. Environmental Science	GATE	M.Sc. Environmental Science
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi

Career Pathways for Astrophysicist

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Physics)	Focus on Physics	JEE Main/Advanced
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Sc. Physics	GATE	M.Sc. Astrophysics/Physics
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai

Career Pathways for Research Scientist (Pharmaceuticals)

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Biology)	Focus on Biology/Chemistry	NEET
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Pharm	GATE	M.Sc./Ph.D. Pharma Science
Colleges and Institution
National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty

Career Pathways for Medical Scientist

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Biology)	Focus on Biology/Chemistry	NEET
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
MBBS/BAMS/BDS	NEET PG	M.S./MD
Colleges and Institution
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), New Delhi

Career Pathways for Clinical Research Coordinator

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Biology)	Focus on Biology	NEET
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Sc. Clinical Research	GATE	M.Sc. Clinical Research
Colleges and Institution
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi Institute of Clinical Research India (ICRI), Mumbai Symbiosis International University, Pune

Career Pathways for Neuroscientist

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Biology)	Focus on Biology	College-specific
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Sc. Neuroscience	GATE	M.Sc./Ph.D. Neuroscience
Colleges and Institution
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Manesar

Career Pathways for Epidemiologist

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Biology)	Focus on Biology	College-specific
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Sc. Public Health/Epidemiology	GATE	M.Sc. Epidemiology
Colleges and Institution
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry

Career Pathways for Biomedical Engineer

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Biology/Physics)	Focus on Physics/Biology	JEE Main/Advanced
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Tech/BE Biomedical Engineering	GATE	M.Tech Biomedical Engineering
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal

Career Pathways for Chemical Engineer

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Chemistry/Math)	Focus on Chemistry/Math	JEE Main/Advanced
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Tech/BE Chemical Engineering	GATE	M.Tech Chemical Engineering
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai

Career Pathways for Robotics Engineer

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Math/Physics)	Focus on Math/Physics	JEE Main/Advanced
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Tech/BE Robotics Engineering	GATE	M.Tech Robotics
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani

Career Pathways for Renewable Energy Specialist

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Physics/Math)	Focus on Physics/Math	JEE Main/Advanced
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Tech/BE Renewable Energy	GATE	M.Tech Renewable Energy
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi

Career Pathways for Nanotechnology Scientist

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Math/Chemistry)	Focus on Chemistry/Physics	College-specific
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Tech/BE Nanotechnology	GATE	M.Tech Nanotechnology
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore

Career Pathways for  Materials Scientist  

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Physics/Chemistry)	Focus on Chemistry/Physics	JEE Main/Advanced
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Tech/BE Materials Science	GATE	M.Tech Materials Science
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)

Career Pathways for  Forensic Scientist  

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Biology/Chemistry)	Focus on Biology/Chemistry	College-specific
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Sc. Forensic Science	GATE	M.Sc. Forensic Science
Colleges and Institution
Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology & Forensic Science, New Delhi Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar Osmania University, Hyderabad

Career Pathways for  Meteorologist  

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Geography/Physics)	Focus on Geography/Physics	College-specific
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Sc. Meteorology	GATE	M.Sc. Meteorology
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 5. Andhra University, Visakhapatnam

Career Pathways for  Oceanographer  

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Geography/Physics)	Focus on Geography/Physics	College-specific
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Sc. Oceanography	GATE	M.Sc. Oceanography
Colleges and Institution
National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kochi Andhra University, Visakhapatnam Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad

Career Pathways for  Physicist 

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Physics)	Focus on Physics	JEE Main/Advanced
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Sc. Physics	GATE	M.Sc. Physics
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) Harish-Chandra Research Institute (HRI), Prayagraj

Career Pathways for  Geologist  

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Geography)	Focus on Geography	College-specific
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Sc. Geology	GATE	M.Sc. Geology
Colleges and Institution
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi University of Delhi

Career Pathways for  Agricultural Scientist 

After 10th	After 12th	Entrance Exam
Science (with Biology)	Focus on Biology	College-specific
Graduation	PG Entrance	Post Graduation
B.Sc. Agriculture	GATE	M.Sc. Agriculture
Colleges and Institution
Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal