Cracking a government exam after 12th can be a gateway to a secure and fulfilling career in public service. It offers stability, good pay, and the opportunity to make a positive impact on society. With numerous positions available across various sectors, there's something for everyone in the vast landscape of government jobs.
In this article, I provide an overview of popular government exams open to 12th pass candidates in 2024, including their eligibility criteria, exam syllabus, and salary.
List of Government Exams after 12th
There are various public sector jobs which a candidate can apply for immediately after class 12th. Aspire candidates who are looking to have a career in public sectors can check the list of Government Exams after 12th in this article.
Government exams after 12th can be broadly categorized into:
Central Government Exams
Central Government Exams are conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC), these exams offer opportunities in various central government ministries, departments, and public sector undertakings.
State Government Exams
State Government Exams conducted by individual state governments and their respective recruitment boards, these exams offer positions in various state departments, police forces, and other local bodies.
Defense Exams
Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and various defense recruitment agencies, these exams offer entry into the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
List Central Government Exams after 12th
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UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE)
Considered the "mother of all exams" in India, the CSE is conducted annually to recruit officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other central services.
Eligibility: Indian citizen, minimum age 21 years, and maximum
attempts vary based on category.
Syllabus: General Studies
(Paper I-V), Essay, Optional Subject, and Interview.
Salary:
Varies based on position, starting around ₹7 lakh per annum (LPA).
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SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam
This exam recruits personnel for various posts like Assistant Section Officer (ASO), Inspector (Income Tax, Central Excise, etc.), and Sub-Inspector (CBI, etc.) in various central government ministries and departments.
Eligibility:Indian citizen, minimum age 18 years, and maximum
attempts vary based on category.
Syllabus: General Intelligence
& Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language,
and Computer Proficiency (Tier-II only).
Salary: Varies based on
the post, starting around ₹3.5 LPA.
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SSC Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) Exam
This exam recruits personnel for various posts like Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Data Entry Operator (DEO), and Postal Assistant (PA) in various central government ministries, departments, and attached offices.
Eligibility: Indian citizen, minimum age 18 years, and maximum
attempts vary based on category.
Syllabus: General Intelligence
& Reasoning, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and General
Awareness.
Salary: Varies based on the post, starting around
₹3.5 LPA.
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SSC Multi Tasking Staff (MTS) Exam
This exam recruits personnel for various multi-tasking staff positions in various central government ministries, departments, and attached offices.
Eligibility: Indian citizen, minimum age 18 years, and maximum
attempts vary based on category.
Syllabus: General Intelligence
& Reasoning, Numerical Ability, and General English.
Salary:
Varies based on the post, starting around ₹2.5 LPA.
State Government Exams after 12th Standards
Eligibility criteria and syllabus for state government exams vary considerably depending on the specific state and the exam being conducted. It's recommended to visit the official website of the concerned state government or recruitment board for detailed information.
Some Popular State Government Exams are:
- State Public Service Commission (SPSC) exams for various administrative and departmental positions.
- Police constable recruitment exams.
- Sub-Inspector (SI) exams for police and other departments.
- Clerk and stenographer recruitment exams.
Defense Exams after 12th pass
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National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) Exam
This exam is conducted twice a year to select candidates for admission to the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy for training as officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Eligibility: Unmarried male candidates, minimum age 16.5 years, and
maximum age 19 years.
Syllabus: Mathematics, General Ability
Test (GAT), and Interview.
Salary: Starts around ₹5 LPA for
officers and varies based on rank and service.
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Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam
This exam is conducted twice a year to select candidates for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) for the Army, Officer's Training Academy (OTA) for the Army, Indian Naval Academy (INA) for the Navy, and Air Force Academy (AFA) for the Air Force.
Eligibility: Unmarried male candidates for IMA & OTA, and
unmarried male/female candidates for INA & AFA. Age limits vary based on
the service and category.
Syllabus: English, General Knowledge,
Mathematics, and Interview.
Railways Recruitment Exam after 12th in 2024
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Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Exams
RRB conducts various exams for various positions within the Indian Railways, including Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP), Technician, and Group D posts.
Eligibility: Varies based on the post, ranging from 10th pass to
Diploma or Graduation.
Syllabus: Varies based on the post,
typically covering General Science, Mathematics, Reasoning, and English.
Salary: Varies based on the post and level, starting around ₹2.5 LPA for Group D
and increasing with higher positions.
Bank Exams after 12th Pass
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Bank Exams
Public sector banks like SBI, IBPS, and others conduct recruitment exams for Probationary Officer (PO) and Clerk positions.
Eligibility: Graduation from any recognized university.
Syllabus: Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English Language, and Banking
& General Awareness.
Salary: Starts around ₹3.5 LPA for POs
and ₹2.5 LPA for clerks.
Popular Bank Exams includes:
| State Bank of India (SBI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| SBI PO | SBI SO | SBI Clerk |
| Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IBPS PO | IBPS Clerk | IBPS SO | IBPS RRB |
| Reserve Bank of India (RBI) | |
|---|---|
| RBI Grade B Officer | RBI Assistant |
Insurance Exam after 12th
Insurance Exams are also one of the best career options in the public sector. The Insurance sector has been seeing a rising trend over the past few decades. Exams such as LIC ADO, LIC AAO, LIC HFL, NIACL AO, NIACL Assistants fall under the Insurance exam.
Popular Insurance Exams
| Insurance Exam | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIC AAO | LIC ADO | LIC HFL | NIACL AO | NIACL Assistant |
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for general guidance only and
may not be exhaustive. It is highly recommended to visit the official
websites of the respective exam conducting bodies for the latest and most
accurate information regarding eligibility criteria, syllabus, and exam
dates.