Upcoming Government Exams After 12th: Complete List With Eligibility, Age Limit & Salary

After 12th exam, students can apply for several government exams like SSC CHSL, SSC MTS, RRB NTPC/Group D, Police Constable, Defence exams (NDA, Army, Navy, Air Force), Post Office GDS, and State-level clerk/patwari exams.

Eligibility usually starts at 12th pass (any stream) with age limits between 17–27 years. Salaries range from ₹20,000 to ₹60,000/month, depending on the role and department. This 2025 article covers top government exams after 12th, eligibility, salary, and preparation tips—newly updated with the Common Eligibility Test (CET) and more.

Quick Summary: Discover the most important government exams after 12th in 2025, including NDA, SSC CHSL, CET, Railway Group D, and Police Constable. Updated with latest eligibility, salaries, and tips to help you crack them.

Students who clear class 12 can appear for several government exams in India—like SSC CHSL, SSC MTS, RRB Group D, Police Constable, Defence services (NDA, Indian Army, Navy, Air Force), State-level exams, and even some clerical jobs in banks and post offices. Most of these require you to be 17–20 years old, with eligibility depending on stream (Science, Commerce, Arts). Salaries generally range from ₹20,000 to ₹60,000 per month to start, along with allowances and job security.

In most Indian homes, a government job equals stability, respect, and a steady paycheck. For many families, waiting until graduation feels risky—so exams after 12th become the shortcut to financial independence.

But here’s the reality:

• Lower entry barrier = lower-level posts. Most 12th-based jobs are clerical, assistant, or constable level.
• Graduation opens higher officer posts. UPSC, SSC CGL, Banking PO—all require a degree.
• Family expectations can clash. Parents may push for “settled early,” while the student may dream bigger.

This article doesn’t just throw exam names at you. It gives you the competition reality, salary in-hand, and lifestyle you can expect—so you (and your parents) can take a clear decision.

Common Eligibility Test (CET), launched 2025, simplifies recruitment for Group B‑C government roles under SSC, IBPS, Railways & more.

• Conducted twice yearly

• Valid for 3 years across agencies

• Replaces multiple prelim exam

👍 Tip: Focus on CET first, then use scores for age-old SSC CHSL, MTS, RRB, IBPS & State PSC exams.

Here’s a clear breakdown of exams students can take right after class 12.

This table alone already gives students a more realistic filter—what they’ll actually get into, not just glossy salary numbers.

Here’s a breakdown of the most popular exams that students across India aim for:

• Eligibility: 12th pass
• Posts: LDC, DEO, Court Clerk, Postal Assistant
• Salary: ₹25,000 – ₹81,000/month
• Why Choose: Easy exam pattern and multiple vacancies.

Tip: SSC CHSL is one of the best government exams after 12th for commerce and arts students!

• Eligibility: 10th or 12th pass
• Posts: MTS, Peon, Junior Gestetner Operator
• Salary: ₹18,000 – ₹56,900/month
• Why Choose: Quick recruitment and no technical skills required.

• Eligibility: 12th pass
• Posts: Ticket Collector, Clerk, Station Master (Assistant roles)
• Salary: ₹21,000 – ₹81,000/month
• Why Choose: Huge number of vacancies every year.

• Eligibility: 12th with Physics & Maths (for Navy and Air Force); any stream for Army
• Posts: Officer Cadet
• Salary After Training: ₹56,100/month + allowances
• Why Choose: Glamorous military career with pride and adventure.

NDA is one of the top government exams after 12th for science students dreaming of defence forces.

• Eligibility: 10+2 pass (different streams for different roles)
• Posts: General Duty Soldier, Clerk
• Salary: ₹30,000 – ₹50,000/month
• Why Choose: Stable and adventurous life with early retirement benefits.

• Eligibility: 12th + Graduation (but in some cases intermediate pass candidates can apply for clerical jobs under cooperative banks)
• Posts: Clerk, Office Assistant
• Salary: ₹20,000 – ₹50,000/month
• Why Choose: Comfortable office jobs, fixed hours, good perks.

• Eligibility: 12th pass (Varies by State PSCs)
• Posts: Junior Assistant, Typist, Constable, and more
• Salary: ₹20,000 – ₹60,000/month
• Why Choose: Regional postings and easy eligibility.

• Eligibility: 12th pass
• Posts: Constable, Sub-Inspector (with promotions)
• Salary: ₹21,000 – ₹69,000/month
• Why Choose: Honourable position with state police departments.

Most coaching ads flash “₹40,000+ salary” for these jobs. What’s real?

• SSC CHSL LDC/DEO: Basic pay ~₹25,500. In-hand after deductions ~₹22,000.

• Railway Clerk: Gross ~₹28k, in-hand ~₹23–25k.

• Defence (Army GD): ~₹25–30k, but add perks: free food, housing, clothing, medical.

• NDA Cadets: ₹56,100 stipend, officer lifestyle, can grow to ₹1 lakh+ per month in service.

• GDS Post Office: ₹12–15k, rural postings, sometimes part-time style work.

The hidden gold is perks: Railway passes, housing, pensions, ration, healthcare. Even a ₹25k job often feels like a ₹40k private-sector job.

Many parents specifically look for safe, stable government jobs for daughters. Exams most popular among girls after 12th:

• SSC CHSL – Clerical jobs in central govt. offices (secure, office-based)
• Railway RRB NTPC & Group D – Comfortable work-life balance, free travel
• State Police (Lady Constable) – Good option for fitness-driven students
• Indian Post GDS – Local posting, flexible hours (esp. for rural girls)
• Nursing/Paramedical Staff (through state exams) – Popular for science-stream girls

These roles balance job security with family expectations, which is why they are highly sought-after.

For Science Students

• NDA (Army, Navy, Air Force)
• Indian Navy SSR/AA
• Air Force Group X (Technical)
• SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC

Science students have an edge in Defence and technical exams where Physics/Maths are required.

For Commerce Students

• SSC CHSL – Data entry, Accounts clerk
• RRB NTPC (Clerk, Typist)
• State-level clerical posts
• Cooperative bank exams

Commerce background helps in accounts, clerical and finance-based postings.

For Arts Students

• SSC MTS
• SSC CHSL (Clerical jobs)
• State Police Constable
• Patwari/Revenue Exams

Arts students fit well in clerical, administrative, and field-based roles.

1. Understand the Exam Pattern – SSC, RRB, and Defence exams usually test General Knowledge, Reasoning, Maths, and English.
2. NCERT Revision – Basic concepts from 9th–12th books are often repeated.
3. Mock Tests & PYQs – Practice previous years’ question papers.
4. Focus on Current Affairs – Important for SSC, Railways, Defence, State exams.
5. Stay Physically Fit – Defence and Police exams have fitness tests.

Parents often ask: “Is it better to go for government exams after 12th or after graduation?”

• After 12th: Entry-level roles, quick stability, financial support.
• After Graduation: Higher officer-level jobs (UPSC, SSC CGL, Banking PO, etc.).

It depends on whether the child needs early financial independence or wants to aim higher with more years of study.

Government exams after 12th are not a one-size-fits-all. A Railway clerk’s life looks nothing like an Army soldier’s, and neither looks like a Post Office GDS posting in your hometown.

The smart move is not just to chase the biggest salary, but to ask:

• Do I want transfers or home stability?
• Can I handle physical training, or do I prefer a desk?
• Am I looking for an early start, or am I ready to invest years for higher posts?

Once you’re honest about those answers, choosing the right government exam after 12th becomes much simpler.