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Section9 pagesUpdated 1 November 2026

Degrees after Class 12

Undergraduate degrees: how long each takes, who can apply, which entrance exam gets you in, and where it leads.

Quick answer

Most degrees after Class 12 take 3 or 4 years. A BA, B.Sc, B.Com or BBA takes at least 3 years, with an optional fourth honours year under UGC's credit framework, and central universities admit on CUET (UG). A BCA runs 3 or 4 years. B.Tech and B.Sc Nursing take 4 years, B.Arch 5, and MBBS 4½ years plus a 12-month internship. The entrance depends on the degree: JEE Main or JEE Advanced for engineering, NATA or JEE Main Paper 2A for architecture, NEET (UG) for MBBS, and a university or state test for nursing.

How long a BA takes, the honours and research year, majors and minors, the CUET tests that get you in, and the MA through CUET (PG). From UGC and NTA.

  • Last checked 1 November 2026
  • 4 official sources
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B.Arch in India: the Council of Architecture's 45% rule, NATA or JEE Main Paper 2A, the 5-year course with practical training, and registration.

  • Last checked 1 November 2026
  • 6 official sources
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Who can join a BCA, how long it runs (3 or 4 years under AICTE), whether you need Maths, and the route to MCA and government posts. Sourced from AICTE and UGC.

  • Last checked 1 November 2026
  • 6 official sources
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How long a B.Com takes, the 4-year honours option, how central universities admit, and the CA, CS and SSC routes after it. From UGC, ICAI, ICSI and NTA.

  • Last checked 1 November 2026
  • 8 official sources
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B.Sc Nursing needs Class 12 with 45% in PCB (40% SC/ST/OBC), a pass in English and age 17 by 31 December. Check your marks and age here.

  • Last checked 1 November 2026
  • 10 official sources
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How long a B.Sc takes, the honours and research year, the CUET tests that get you in, and M.Sc at IITs through JAM. From UGC and NTA.

  • Last checked 1 November 2026
  • 5 official sources
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How long a B.Tech takes, the Class 12 subjects and marks NITs ask for, which entrance exam gets you in, and where the degree leads. Sourced from NTA and AICTE.

  • Last checked 1 November 2026
  • 7 official sources
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What this section covers

  • Undergraduate degrees after Class 12: length, Class 12 subjects, entrance exam, the regulator's rules and where each degree leads.
  • Every rule links to the regulator's or exam body's own document, with the date we read it.
  • We do not list college fees or rank colleges.

Nine degrees at a glance

Length, entry route and rule-maker for each degree
DegreeLengthHow you get inRules set by
BA3 years minimum; optional fourth honours yearCUET (UG) at central universitiesUGC
B.Sc3 years minimum; optional fourth honours yearCUET (UG) at central universitiesUGC
B.Com3 years minimum; optional fourth honours yearCUET (UG) at central universitiesUGC
BBA3 years minimum; optional fourth honours yearCUET (UG) at central universitiesUGC
BCA3 or 4 yearsCUET (UG) at central universitiesAICTE, from 2024-25
B.Tech / B.E.4 years, 8 semestersJEE Main Paper 1; JEE Advanced for the IITsAICTE
B.Sc Nursing4 years, 8 semestersEntrance test run by a university or the state governmentIndian Nursing Council
B.Arch5 years, 10 semestersNATA or JEE Main Paper 2ACouncil of Architecture
MBBS4½ years, then a 12-month internshipNEET (UG) onlyNational Medical Commission

Each row comes from the official documents on that degree's page, with the date we read them. Your university can add its own rules on subjects and marks.

Tips and tricks

  • Check your Class 12 subjects before you choose a degree. MBBS and B.Sc Nursing need Physics, Chemistry and Biology, B.Arch needs Physics and Maths, and the NITs ask for Physics and Maths for a B.Tech.
  • For a BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA or BCA at a central university, pick your CUET (UG) tests from the programme pages of the universities you want. Each university maps its own tests to each course.
  • If a master's or research is on your mind, ask whether the college runs UGC's fourth honours year. It is optional, and not every university offers it.
  • Note the age rules early. For MBBS you must be 17 by 31 December of the NEET year. B.Sc Nursing needs you to be 17 on 31 December of the year you join, and the upper limit is 35.

Questions people ask

Is a BA or B.Sc 3 years or 4 years now?

UGC lists both as at least 3 years after Class 12. Under its credit framework a university can add an optional fourth year, 160 credits in all, for an honours degree.[2]

Which exam do I need for a B.Tech?

You need JEE Main Paper 1 for the NITs, IIITs, other centrally funded institutes and many state colleges. The IITs admit through JEE Advanced, which is open to the top 2,50,000 in JEE Main Paper 1.[6]

Is NEET compulsory for MBBS?

Yes. Every MBBS seat in India is filled through common counselling on the merit of NEET (UG).[12]

Can I get into B.Arch through JEE Main?

Yes. JEE Main Paper 2A is accepted alongside the Council of Architecture's own NATA. You also need Class 12 with Physics and Maths and at least 45% aggregate.[22]

Is there an age limit for B.Sc Nursing?

Yes. The Indian Nursing Council sets 17 on 31 December of the year you join as the minimum and 35 as the maximum (40 for candidates with a disability).[27]

Sources

  1. Specification of Degrees, Gazette of India (Part III, Section 4), 5 July 2014, University Grants Commission. Gazette p. 2988, Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences, S.No. 18 (BA / BA (Hons), 3 years, 10+2), 19 (MA, 2 years, Bachelor's), restructured names; Law, S.No. 29 (LLB, 3 years, Bachelor's). Accessed 1 November 2026.
  2. Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes, University Grants Commission. Sections 3.2.2-3.2.3, pp. 9-10 (major about 50%, Economics with a Minor in Statistics, exits, 120 and 160 credits, honours with research at 75% and 12 credits, seven-year limit); humanities and social science courses, pp. 21-22. Accessed 1 November 2026.
  3. CUET (UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, National Testing Agency. pp. 6-7 (broad features: up to five subjects irrespective of Class XII subjects, +5/-1); section 2.3 (p. 15: 50 questions, 60 minutes); Appendix II (p. 37: codes 101-113, 303, 309, 313, 314, 323, 324, 326, 501). Accessed 1 November 2026.
  4. CUET (PG) 2026 Information Bulletin, National Testing Agency. Dates at a glance (p. 4: registration 14 December 2025 to 14 January 2026, exam March 2026, 90 minutes); sections 2.4-2.5 (p. 9: up to four papers, 75 questions, +4/-1); 3.1-3.2 (p. 11: final-year students eligible, no age limit, university rules apply). Accessed 1 November 2026.
  5. Model Curriculum for Undergraduate Degree in Engineering & Technology, Volume I (January 2018), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Foreword (160-credit structure, UHV addendum); 4-year curriculum structure, Semesters I–VIII. Accessed 30 September 2026.
  6. JEE (Main) 2026 Information Bulletin, National Testing Agency. Sections 1.3, 3.2, 5.8. Accessed 30 September 2026.
  7. Approval Process Handbook 2024-2027, All India Council for Technical Education. Chapter 8, table 8.1 (Diploma), row V: lateral entry to second year diploma. Accessed 1 October 2026.
  8. Junior Engineer (Civil, Mechanical & Electrical) Examination, 2025: notice, Staff Selection Commission. Para 1 (pay level), para 2 (essential qualifications by post). Accessed 2 October 2026.
  9. National Classification of Occupations 2015, Volume II-A, Directorate General of Employment, Ministry of Labour and Employment. Families 2142 Civil Engineers (p. 103), 2144 Mechanical Engineers (p. 112), 3113 Electrical Engineering Technicians (p. 300), 3114 Electronics Engineering Technicians (p. 305). Accessed 2 October 2026.
  10. JEE (Main) 2027 Information Bulletin, National Testing Agency. Important dates for Sessions 1 and 2 (pp. 4-5), 2.4 Paper 1 pattern (75 questions, 300 marks, +4/-1), 2.5 duration, 3.1 age criteria, 3.3 year of appearance, 11.5 best of two NTA scores, 11.6.2 JEE (Advanced) eligibility. Accessed 1 November 2026.
  11. NTA public notice, Inviting Online Application Form for JEE (Main) 2027 (Session 1), 24.10.2026, and clarification on fresh application forms, 30.10.2026, National Testing Agency. Session 1 dates and late fee; the 30.10.2026 notice is at https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3f8e59f4b2fe7c5705bf878bbd494ccdf/uploads/2026/10/202610302102025182.pdf. Accessed 1 November 2026.
  12. National Medical Commission, Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (GMER-23), Notification No. U-14021-8-2023-UGMEB, Gazette of India Extraordinary Part III Section 4, No. 367, 2 June 2023, National Medical Commission. English text, PDF pp. 6-9: regs 3 (aims), 7-18 (NEET, eligibility, counselling, admission penalty, migration), 21 (4 first-year attempts, 9 years), 23 (internship). Accessed 19 October 2026.
  13. NMC corrigendum to GMER-23, F. No. U.14021-8-2023-UGMEB, 16 June 2023 (Gazette No. 421, 19 June 2023): clause 11(a) age rule, National Medical Commission. PDF p. 2. Accessed 19 October 2026.
  14. NMC Guidelines for Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) Curriculum 2024, No. D-11011/500/2024-AcademicCell, 12 September 2024, National Medical Commission. Printed pp. 27-31: training period, attempts, phases, electives, teaching weeks and hours. Accessed 19 October 2026.
  15. National Medical Commission (Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship) Regulations, 2021, Notification No. UGMEB/NMC/Rules & Regulations/2021, 18 November 2021, National Medical Commission. English text, PDF pp. 24-28 (read as page images): regs 3-5, Schedule I (duration, two-year completion, leave), Schedule II, Schedule III (community medicine posting). Accessed 19 October 2026.
  16. NMC Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (PGMER-23), F. No. CDN-19012/5/2023-Coord-NMC, 29 December 2023, National Medical Commission. Chapter II 2.1 (course durations), 4.1 (NEET-PG until NExT, NEET-SS), District Residency Programme. Accessed 19 October 2026.
  17. NMC Public Notice No. Cdn.19012/15/2022/Coord-NMC, 13 July 2023: National Exit Test deferred, National Medical Commission. Single page. Accessed 19 October 2026.
  18. National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021, 18 November 2021, National Medical Commission. Regs 3-4 and Schedule I. Accessed 19 October 2026.
  19. Information Bulletin for NEET (UG) 2026, National Testing Agency. Chapter 6 (age, no upper limit, qualifying codes 01-07, pp. 25-28); Chapter 7 (counselling, MCC and state quotas, BVSc 15% quota, pp. 29-31); Chapter 8 (percentiles, p. 39). Accessed 1 November 2026.
  20. NMC Rules and Regulations page (list of current regulations by board), National Medical Commission. Accessed 1 November 2026.
  21. Council of Architecture (Minimum Standards of Architectural Education) Regulations, 2020, Gazette of India Part III Section 4, 11 August 2020, Council of Architecture. Regulations 1, 3(1)-(7), 4, 5(1), 7(2)-(4); Appendix-A paras 2, 5(7), 8 and Table 2.0 notes; practical training and thesis guidelines; Appendix-D paras 1, 5 (gazette pp. 27-32, 44-45). Regulation 4(1) as amended 19 July 2023 is read from the NTA and CoA 2026 documents.. Accessed 16 October 2026.
  22. NATA 2026 Information Brochure, Council of Architecture. 1.1 Introduction (p. 5), 2.0 About NATA (p. 6), 5.1-5.3 eligibility (p. 12), 10.2 score validity. Accessed 1 November 2026.
  23. JEE (Main) 2026 Information Bulletin, National Testing Agency. Paper 2A scheme (p. 12), duration table, 5.8.1 NIT+ eligibility and subject combinations (p. 36), 5.8.2 B.Arch rule as per the gazette of 19 July 2023 (p. 37). Accessed 1 November 2026.
  24. JEE (Main) 2027 Information Bulletin, National Testing Agency. Important dates for Sessions 1 and 2 (pp. 4-5), fee table (p. 20), Paper 2A scheme of 77 questions and 400 marks, Drawing Test on an A4 sheet in pen and paper mode. Accessed 1 November 2026.
  25. NTA public notice, Inviting Online Application Form for JEE (Main) 2027 (Session 1), 24.10.2026, and clarification on fresh application forms, 30.10.2026, National Testing Agency. Session 1 dates and late fee; the 30.10.2026 notice is at https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3f8e59f4b2fe7c5705bf878bbd494ccdf/uploads/2026/10/202610302102025182.pdf. Accessed 1 November 2026.
  26. JEE (Advanced) 2026 Information Brochure, Indian Institute of Technology (organising IIT, JEE Advanced 2026). Clause 24, Architecture Aptitude Test for B.Arch. Program (pp. 45-46). Accessed 1 November 2026.
  27. Indian Nursing Council (Revised Regulations and Curriculum for B.Sc. (Nursing) Program) Regulations, 2020, Gazette of India Extraordinary Part III Section 4, No. 275, 5 July 2021, Indian Nursing Council. Definitions and programme (p. 214), parent hospital (p. 217), admission terms and conditions (pp. 229-230), credits and hours (pp. 237-238), attendance, pass marks and time limit (p. 242). Accessed 17 October 2026.
  28. Indian Nursing Council {Revised Regulations and Curriculum for B.Sc. (Nursing) Program – Corrigendum} Regulations, 2022, notified 8 April 2022, Indian Nursing Council. PDF p. 16: changes to page 230, admission terms 7 (entrance percentiles) and 8 (SC/ST/OBC 40% in PCB, English passed). Accessed 17 October 2026.
  29. INC Notification 6 of 2026, F No. 1-6/LT/2026-INC, 29 January 2026: B.Sc. (Nursing) admission schedule 2026-27, Indian Nursing Council. Single page (scanned). Accessed 17 October 2026.
  30. INC Notification No. 19 of 2026, 24 September 2026: extension of the last date of admission for all nursing programmes, 2026-27, Indian Nursing Council. Single page (scanned). Accessed 17 October 2026.
  31. INC Notification No. 21 of 2026, 30 October 2026: extension of the last date of admission for all nursing programmes, 2026-27, Indian Nursing Council. Pp. 1-2: 15 November 2026; (b) Regular/Even and Irregular/Odd batches; (c) no further extension. Accessed 1 November 2026.
  32. INC Notification No. 23 of 2026, 30 October 2026: relaxing the minimum qualifying criteria of CET for B.Sc. (Nursing) admission, 2026-27, Indian Nursing Council. Single page. Accessed 1 November 2026.
  33. INC Notification 2 of 2026, 9 January 2026: amendment to the B.Sc. (Nursing) examination regulations, Indian Nursing Council. Pages 1-2 (scanned): para 16 amended, 8-year limit. Accessed 17 October 2026.
  34. INC Notification No. 7 of 2026, 10 March 2026: Class XII equivalency for foreign nationals from UGC, Indian Nursing Council. Single page (scanned). Accessed 17 October 2026.
  35. INC Notification No. 08(1) of 2023, 3 October 2023 (used only for programme names and durations), Indian Nursing Council. Programme list: ANM 2 years, GNM 3 years, B.Sc. (N) 4 years, P.B.B.Sc. (N) 2 years, M.Sc. (N) 2 years. Accessed 17 October 2026.
  36. INC list of nursing institutions for 2025-26 and 2026-27, Indian Nursing Council. Accessed 17 October 2026.

Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us through the corrections page. Updated 1 November 2026.

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