Science wanes as favourite stream as Commerce picks up steam

In 2018, the number of Class 11 students from Science who took the exams was 5.2 lakh. The number, however, dropped to 4.5 lakh this year.

Going by the statistics shared by the Directorate of Government Examinations, in 2018, total number of Science students who appeared for the Class 11 was 5,22,353 as against this year’s 4,58,830. The data also showed that the reduction was almost equal in ratio between boys and girls.

Meanwhile, students who prefer Commerce appears to be increasing gradually. Last year 2,56,575 Commerce students took the exam. While this year, the numbers rose to 2,74,407 — a jump by 17,800 students.

The interest in the Arts stream appeared unchanged.

The number of students opting for vocational courses, however, have decreased by about 2,000 this year. According to job recruiters, increasing job opportunities in the finance, banking and management sector have attracted more number of students towards commerce courses.

“Now Commerce is rising in popularity because of job opportunities related to it. If you graduate B.Com, you can get a decent job. If students take up Science, they have to specialise after their degree and only then will they get employment opportunities,” said P Aparna, an auditor.