Data science after 12th in 2026 will give students more opportunities than ever to start early and build a future-proof career. Whether you are passionate about tech, want to know how companies make big decisions, or solve problems, data science is the way to the door to high-paying jobs and global opportunities. From eligibility and fees to top colleges and career scope, this guide will help you start your journey into the world of data science after 12th.
Table of Contents:
Why Choose Data Science After 12th?
One should choose Data Science right after the 12th standard because of the following benefits.
- Starting a career right after 12th will allow you to build strong foundational skills at a young age in a career that is growing rapidly across the world.
- Companies in every industry, including IT, banking, healthcare, e-commerce, education, and more, mainly depend on data, so qualified data scientists are always in demand.
- As fields like AI, automation, and digital transformation are increasing, Data Science is becoming more important, which is making this field more secure in the long term.
- Data Scientists are among the highest-paid professionals because their work directly helps many businesses to grow, save costs, and make smart decisions.
- It does not limit you to one sector, i.e., you can work in finance, marketing, sports, medicine, government, and even entertainment.
- By learning data science, you learn coding, statistics, problem-solving, data handling, and machine learning skills that are valuable in many fields in your career.
- After 12th, you can choose diploma courses, degree programs, online certifications, or integrated programs depending on your interest and budget.
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Eligibility Criteria for Data Science After 12th
Below are the eligibility criteria for a data science course,
- 12th Grade Qualification: You must have completed your 12th (or equivalent) from a recognized board.
- Minimum Percentage: Many institutes require at least 50% to 60% aggregate marks in 12th.
- Preferred Subjects:
- For B.Tech or Engineering-level Data Science, 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) is usually required.
- For B.Sc. or BCA Data Science, institutes often want Mathematics or Statistics in 12th.
- However, for some diplomas or certificate programs, students from any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts) may be eligible, provided they meet the other criteria.
- Entrance Exams:
- Many colleges or universities ask for the entrance exam scores for these programs. These mainly could be JEE Main, CUET, or university-specific tests.
- For certain specialized or high-level UG programs, competition may be tougher and cutoffs higher.
Data Science Courses After 12th
The following courses are available for students after completing 12th grade.
1. Undergraduate Programs
Undergraduate programs are the most popular option for most students who want a strong foundation in Data Science right after 12th. These programs mainly last three to four years and include courses like B.Sc. Data Science, B.Tech Data Science, BCA with Data Science, and B.Sc. Computer Science with Data Analytics. They cover the important subjects, such as programming, statistics, machine learning, big data, and data visualization. These degrees are good for students who want in-depth knowledge and want to build a long-term career in data science.
- Average Fees: ₹2,00,000 to ₹10,00,000 (varies by college)
| Course |
Duration |
| B.Sc. Data Science | 3 years |
| B.Tech Data Science | 4 years |
| BCA Data Science / BCA Data Analytics | 3 years |
| B.Sc. Computer Science (Data Analytics) | 3 years |
| BS in Data Science & Applications (Online) | 3 to 6 years |
2. Diploma Courses
Diploma courses in data science are shorter and more flexible, mainly ranging from 6 months to 1 year. They mainly focus on the practical skills of the person rather than the concepts. These courses are great for students who want to enter the field quickly or need a cheap option before getting a full degree. Diploma courses mainly teach skills like the basics of Python, SQL, data analysis, and introductory machine learning. They are perfect for skill-building and can also serve as a bridge to more advanced studies later on.
- Average Fees: ₹20,000 to ₹1,50,000 (depending on institute and course depth)
3. Free Online Data Science Courses
Many online platforms offer different free courses that students can start right after 12th grade. These courses help the student to learn the fundamentals at their own pace without any financial pressure. They cover topics like Python programming, statistics, Excel for data analysis, and introductory machine learning. Sometimes, these free courses do not include certificates, but they are great for beginners who do not want to spend the money on paid programs or degrees.
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Top Data Science Colleges in India
Here are some of the top data science colleges in India.
1. Best Engineering Colleges
Below are the best colleges for undergraduate programs in India, providing specialization in data science.
| College (IIT) |
NIRF Rank |
| IIT Delhi | 3 |
| IIT Bombay | 4 |
| IIT Kanpur | 5 |
| IIT Kharagpur | 7 |
| IIT Roorkee | 8 |
2. Best Colleges for PG Courses
Below are the best colleges for the Postgraduate Program in India, providing specialization in data science.
- Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
- International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad
- IIM Bangalore
- BITS Pilani
How to Become a Data Scientist in India After 12th
To become a data scientist after completing class 12 is possible if you follow a clear and structured path. First, you should choose the right undergraduate degree, like B.Sc Data Science, B.Tech in CSE with Data Science or AI, BCA Data Science, or even B.Sc in Mathematics or Statistics. It will help you build a solid foundation in programming, mathematics, and analytical thinking.
With the degree, it is also important to start developing your technical skills in languages like Python, R, and SQL. They form the core of data analysis and machine learning.
When you are comfortable with the key concepts of these languages, you can start working on small real-world projects, like predicting stock prices or analyzing customer behavior.
After gaining exposure through the projects, you can start with the internships. Internships with startups, analytics companies, or research organizations help you understand real business problems, work with large datasets, and gain hands-on experience.
After completing the internship, you can opt for a recognized certification like Intellipaat’s data science Course, which can significantly strengthen your profile.
As you continue learning, make sure to show your work with the timeline by making a GitHub profile where uploading your projects, visualizations, and reports helps recruiters to assess your skills quickly.
Career Opportunities After Data Science
Data Science opens a door to a wide range of career opportunities and high-growth roles across different industries, as follows:
Job Profiles
Below are the job roles you can get after completing a data science course.
- Data Scientist
- Data Analyst
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Business Analyst
- Data Engineer
- AI Engineer
- Statistician
- Big Data Engineer
Industry-Wise Scope
Data science is used across almost every industry. Some of the top industries are:
- IT and Software
- Banking & Finance
- Healthcare
- E-commerce
- Retail
- Telecom
- Manufacturing
- Education & EdTech
- Media and Entertainment
Salary Range
Salaries in data science depend on the role, skills, company type, and experience level. Below is an approximate range:
| Experience Level |
Average Salary (India) |
| Entry-Level (0 to 2 years) | ₹4 to ₹8 LPA |
| Mid-Level (2 to 6 years) | ₹8 to ₹18 LPA |
| Senior-Level (6+ years) | ₹20 to ₹40 LPA |
Conclusion
We can choose the data science course after the completion of class 12th. It is one of the smartest career decisions after 12, with clear eligibility requirements, flexible course options, and a wide range of colleges. Students from any background can start building a strong future in this field. You can choose a full-time undergraduate degree, a short-term diploma, or a free online course, each path helps you gain valuable skills in programming, analytics, statistics, and machine learning. The demand for data scientists continues to grow across many industries, such as finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and telecom.
FAQs on Data Science Courses After 12th
Q1. Can a Commerce Student Become a Data Scientist?
Yes, a commerce student can also become a Data Scientist.
Q2. Does data science have scope?
Yes, Data science has a huge scope across IT, finance, healthcare, e-commerce, manufacturing, and more.
Q3. What degree is best for data science?
A B.Sc. in Data Science, B.Tech. in Computer Science (Data Science/AI), or a BCA with a specialization in Data Science are considered the best degrees.
Q4. How many years does it take to become a data scientist after 12th?
It usually takes 3 to 4 years if you complete a bachelor’s degree, and around 1 additional year if you take a certification course for specialization
Q5. Which subject is most important in data science?
Mathematics (especially statistics), programming (Python/R), and logical reasoning are the most important subjects.
Q6. Is data science in demand in 2026?
Yes, data science is highly in demand in 2026, because almost every industry now depends on data for decision-making, so companies are hiring skilled data professionals more than ever.