Streams and Subjects
Science, Commerce and Humanities Streams
CBSE does not formally divide Class 12 into “streams” — students choose subjects from the Scheme of Studies. In practice, most students follow one of three popular groupings.
Popular Subject Groupings
Stream | Typical subjects | Common next steps |
|---|---|---|
Science – PCM | English, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics + one more | Engineering (JEE Main / Advanced, state CETs), architecture (NATA), B.Sc. |
Science – PCB | English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology + one more | Medicine (NEET UG), pharmacy, life sciences |
Commerce | English, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics + Mathematics or another subject | B.Com, BBA, CA/CS/CMA, economics |
Humanities | English + History, Political Science, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, etc. | BA, law (CLAT), journalism, design, liberal arts |
Skill and Interdisciplinary Subjects
CBSE also offers skill subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Technology and others, which can be taken as one of the subjects or as the additional sixth subject.
Key Takeaways
CBSE has no fixed streams — you choose subjects within valid combinations.
PCM, PCB, Commerce and Humanities are the most common groupings.
Skill subjects like AI and Data Science are also available.
Pro Tip: Check the subject requirements of the entrance exams you plan to take — for example, Mathematics is required for B.FTech at NIFT and Physics + Maths for engineering.
Source: CBSE Curriculum 2026-27 (Scheme of Studies)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CBSE have fixed streams in Class 12?
No. Students choose subjects from the Scheme of Studies; Science, Commerce and Humanities are common groupings.
Can Commerce students take Mathematics?
Yes, Mathematics is a popular choice in Commerce combinations.
Can I take a skill subject like AI in Class 12?
Yes. Skill subjects such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Science are offered, subject to school availability.