We are living in a world of data, where every action that we take whether browsing the internet, using social media or making purchases generates valuable information. This data when analyzed properly helps businesses make better decisions, enhance customer experiences and drive artificial intelligence systems which are at the heart of today’s tech revolution.
If you are someone who is fascinated by the power of data then pursuing a course in data science after 12th can open doors to exciting career opportunities.
In today’s data driven world, where companies are leveraging the use of data to drive innovation and improve business performance, there is a growing demand for skilled data professionals who can analyze and interpret data to make smarter decisions.
Candidates can pursue B.Tech in data science, B.Sc in data science, BCA (data science specialization) and various other diploma and certificate courses.
In this article, we will explore top data science courses after 12th, eligibility criteria, career prospects and job opportunities in this field.
Before we dive into data science courses. Let’s understand what data science is.
What is Data Science
Data Science is a process of using data to find useful insights, make predictions and solve problems. Data Science is an interdisciplinary field that uses statistics, mathematics, programming, and domain knowledge to analyze and interpret complex data.
It helps businesses and organizations make data-driven decisions using techniques like machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics.
Also Check – How to become an AI engineer after 12th
Career Scope and Job Prospects
Data Science is playing a key role in India’s job market, with a population of over 1.4 billion and the country fastly growing economy (aiming for $5 trillion by 2027) will get a push by digital transformation of business and the rising tech ecosystem.
The key roles for the graduates will be Data Analyst, AI research scientist, machine learning engineer and data manager.
As per NASSCOM, 1 million data science jobs will be created by 2026, including 1.5 lakhs AI specific roles. Data Professionals will be working in diverse sectors like IT, Healthcare, Consulting, and E-commerce and with government organizations.
Did you know? – Which jobs will AI replace in the future? Find out more here.
The government initiatives like digital India, smart cities, urban planning, e-governance and UPI are driving the demand for data analytics, and of AI/ML professionals. These initiatives generate vast amounts of data, requiring skilled professionals to analyze and extract insights for better decision-making.
Top Data Science Courses after 12th
Candidates interested in Data Science, can choose from a wide range of degree, diploma, and certificate programs.
The course duration of these programs and the admission process varies by the chosen program. Below is the list of popular data science courses in India
Bachelor Degree Programs
- B.Sc in Data Science
- B.Sc in Computer Science with Data Science
- BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) with Data Science
- B.Sc in Statistics & Data Science
Check – Top courses after 12th 2025-26
Diploma Programs
- Diploma in Data Science & Analytics
- PG Diploma in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science (For graduates)
Certificate Programs
- Certificate in Machine Learning & Data Science
- Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- IBM Data Science Certification
- edX – Harvard’s Data Science Professional Certificate
- Coursera – Data Science Specialization by Johns Hopkins University
- Simplilearn – Data Science with Python
- Great Learning – Data Science Foundations
Eligibility Criteria
For admission in the data science programs, candidates must meet the following eligibility conditions:
For diploma program: 10+2 passed with preferably Maths and computer science as a subect.
For bachelor’s programs (B.Tech/B.Sc): 10+2 passed with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as a subject.
For BCA programme 10+2 passed in any stream with Mathematics as a subject.
For certificate programs: Open for all streams, having Maths and coding skills will be beneficial.
How to Get Admission in Data Science Program
Candidates have to first meet the eligibility criteria for the program they wish to apply for, then follow the below mentioned steps:
For Undergraduate Program
B.Tech and B.Sc – Admission is done on the basis of entrance exam scores like JEE Main and CUET UG.
The first step is to fill the registration form and appear in the entrance exam. If you qualified with a good rank, you will be eligible to participate in the counselling round.
Many private universities like BITs Pilani, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) also conduct their University level exams for admission to the bachelor’s program.
Admission in state universities are done on the basis of state level entrance exams like WBJEE, KCET etc.
For Diploma Programs
The admission in diploma programs is done on the basis of state level polytechnic entrance tests.
Many IITs/NITs also conduct admission tests for candidates interested in pursuing certifications or diploma programs offered by them.
For Certificate Programs
Candidates can apply directly for pursuing certification in data sciences and machine learning.
Top Colleges and Universities
Here is the list of top universities in India offering admission in data science programs at UG and PG level.
- IIT Bombay
- IIT Delhi
- IIT Madras
- IIT Kharagpur
- IIT Hyderabad
- NIT Tiruchirappalli
- NIT Warangal
- NIT Surathkal
- BITS Pilani (Birla Institute of Technology & Science)
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology
- Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)
- Amity University
- Shiv Nadar University
Job Profile and Top Recruiters
Freshers or experienced professionals can find diverse job roles depending on their experience, skillset and company.
Below is the list of popular job roles for candidates working in the data science field.
- Data Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Big Data Engineer
- AI Engineer
- Principal Data Scientist
- AI Research Scientist
- Data Science Manager/Lead
Top Recruiters
Some of the top recruiters for data science professionals are:
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- Open AI
- Infosys
- Wipro
- HCL Technologies
- Tech Mahindra
- LTI Mindtree
- Cognizant
- Flipkart
- Capgemini
- IBM
- Adobe
- Intel
- SAP Labs
Salary and Payscale
Data Science is one of the hottest career options in 2025. The demand of professionals in data science are at an all time high across industries like IT, Finance, Healthcare, Consulting, E-Commerce and Telecom.
The salary and payscale in data science roles varies with candidate’s skillset, company, location and experience.
In India, candidates graduating from Tier 1 colleges are generally paid higher starting salaries compared to the tier 2 colleges.
The average entry level salaries in India for data engineers is typically around ₹5–8 lakh per annum. Candidates having 3-5 years of experience as a Junior data scientist with skills in Python, machine learning (ML), and tools like Tableau are paid in the range ₹10–18 LPA.
For senior professionals having 5-10 years of experience, working as a team lead, senior data scientists in companies like Microsoft, Google, or AI Startups can earn in the range ₹50–60 LPA, with bonuses/stock options adding ₹10–20 LPA.
FAQ’s
If you have any other queries regarding Data Science Courses After 12th, feel free to drop your comments below.