Many students don’t realize it — but you can start a government career right after Class 10.
There are several government exams after 10th in India that open doors to stable jobs in railways, defence, postal services, police, and state departments.
This article covers every exam, salary range, and eligibility — so you can plan your path clearly, without guesswork.
What Are Government Exams After 10th?
Government exams after 10th are entry-level recruitment tests conducted by central or state departments for Class 10 (matric) pass students.
These exams offer permanent or contractual positions in ministries, public sector units (PSUs), and defence services.
Eligibility:
- Must have passed Class 10 from a recognized board (CBSE, ICSE, or State Board).
- Age: Usually 18–25 years (varies by exam).
- Nationality: Indian citizen.
Departments conducting 10th-pass exams:
- Ministry of Railways
- Ministry of Defence (Army, Navy, Air Force)
- Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
- India Post
- State Police & State Public Service Commissions (PSCs)
- PSU & Apprenticeship boards
List of Top Government Exams After 10th in India (November 2025)
| Exam Name | Conducting Body | Eligibility | Starting Salary (₹/month) | Department/Role |
| RRB Group D | Railway Recruitment Board | 10th Pass | ₹25,000 – ₹35,000 | Track Maintainer, Assistant |
| SSC MTS | Staff Selection Commission | 10th Pass | ₹18,000 – ₹28,000 | Peon, Clerk, Attendant |
| India Post GDS | India Post | 10th Pass | ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 | Gramin Dak Sevak, BPM |
| Indian Army Soldier (GD) | Indian Army | 10th Pass | ₹25,000 – ₹40,000 | Ground Duty Soldier |
| Indian Navy MR / Tradesman | Indian Navy | 10th Pass | ₹21,000 – ₹35,000 | Cook, Steward, Tradesman |
| Indian Air Force Group Y | Indian Air Force | 10th / 12th Pass | ₹25,000 – ₹38,000 | Non-Technical Roles |
| State Police Constable | State Police Dept. | 10th / 12th Pass | ₹25,000 – ₹40,000 | Constable, Home Guard |
| Defence Civilian Jobs | Ministry of Defence | 10th Pass | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 | Storekeeper, LDC, Tradesman |
| Apprentice in PSUs | BHEL / ONGC / IOCL | 10th + ITI | ₹15,000 – ₹25,000 | Technician Apprentice |
| Forest Guard / Home Guard | State Forest Dept. | 10th Pass | ₹18,000 – ₹28,000 | Guard, Ranger Assistant |
(Salary ranges include basic + allowances; may vary by posting.)
Defence Exams After 10th (Army, Navy, Air Force, CRPF, CISF)
Joining the Indian Armed Forces after 10th is one of the most secure and respected options.
These roles offer discipline, benefits, and steady growth from day one.
| Exam / Post | Eligibility | Where to Apply | Average Salary (₹/month) | Role / Department |
| Indian Army Soldier (GD) | 10th pass with 45% aggregate | joinindianarmy.nic.in | ₹25,000 – ₹40,000 | Ground Duty Soldier, Infantry |
| Indian Navy (MR / Tradesman) | 10th pass | joinindiannavy.gov.in | ₹21,000 – ₹35,000 | Cook, Steward, Sanitary Worker |
| Indian Air Force (Group Y) | 10th / 12th pass | indianairforce.nic.in | ₹25,000 – ₹38,000 | Non-Technical Trades |
| BSF / CRPF / CISF Constable (Tradesman) | 10th pass | rectt.bsf.gov.in / crpf.gov.in | ₹25,000 – ₹40,000 | Defence, Security, Paramilitary Services |
Railway Exams After 10th (Group D, Apprentice, Technician)
Indian Railways hires thousands of 10th-pass candidates annually through RRB exams.
These jobs come with good pay, stability, and pension benefits.
| Exam / Post | Eligibility | Where to Apply | Average Salary (₹/month) | Role / Department |
| RRB Group D | 10th pass or ITI | rrbcdg.gov.in | ₹25,000 – ₹35,000 | Track Maintainer, Assistant Pointsman |
| Railway Apprentice | 10th + ITI | Zone-wise RRC portals | ₹9,000 – ₹12,000 (stipend) | Technician / Mechanic Training |
| Technician Grade III | 10th + ITI certificate | rrbcdg.gov.in | ₹25,000 – ₹40,000 | Technical & Mechanical Maintenance |
SSC and Postal Exams After 10th (GDS, MTS, CHSL routes)
The Staff Selection Commission and India Post conduct easy-entry exams for 10th-pass students. These jobs are desk-based, permanent, and ideal for both.
| Exam / Post | Eligibility | Where to Apply | Average Salary (₹/month) | Role / Department |
| SSC MTS (Multi-Tasking Staff) | 10th pass | ssc.gov.in | ₹18,000 – ₹28,000 | Office Clerk, Assistant, Attendant |
| India Post GDS (Gramin Dak Sevak) | 10th pass with English & Math | indiapostgdsonline.gov.in | ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 | Postmaster / Delivery Agent |
| SSC CHSL (as a later route) | 12th pass (after 10th) | ssc.gov.in | ₹25,000 – ₹35,000 | LDC / Data Entry Operator |
Police and State-Level Exams After 10th
Every Indian state conducts recruitment drives for police constables and Group D staff.
These exams test physical strength, basic knowledge, and discipline — perfect for 10th-pass youth.
| Exam / Post | Eligibility | Where to Apply | Average Salary (₹/month) | Role / Department |
| State Police Constable | 10th / 12th pass | Respective state police websites | ₹25,000 – ₹40,000 | Constable / Traffic Control |
| Home Guard | 10th pass | State Home Guard departments | ₹18,000 – ₹28,000 | Community Security Volunteer |
| State Group D (Class IV) | 10th pass | State PSC / Employment sites | ₹18,000 – ₹25,000 | Peon, Watchman, Office Helper |
ITI and Technical Government Exams After 10th
After completing an ITI course, candidates can apply for various central and state technical recruitments.
These are skill-based jobs with clear promotion tracks and government benefits.
| Exam / Post | Eligibility | Where to Apply | Average Salary (₹/month) | Role / Department |
| Technician Apprentice | 10th + ITI | apprenticeshipindia.gov.in | ₹15,000 – ₹25,000 | Apprentice / Technical Assistant |
| Tradesman / Fitter / Electrician | ITI Certified | bhel.com, ongcindia.com | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 | Maintenance / Production Staff |
| Junior Mechanic (Defence / Railways) | ITI pass | dgt.gov.in | ₹20,000 – ₹35,000 | Workshop / Technical Trades |
Government Exams for Girls After 10th
Women candidates can apply for several secure and low-pressure government roles. These jobs offer flexible working hours, safety, and long-term benefits.
| Exam / Post | Eligibility | Where to Apply | Average Salary (₹/month) | Role / Department |
| India Post GDS | 10th pass | indiapostgdsonline.gov.in | ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 | Postmaster / Clerk |
| SSC MTS (Women Candidates) | 10th pass | ssc.gov.in | ₹18,000 – ₹28,000 | Office Support, Clerical |
| Anganwadi Worker / Helper | 10th pass | State Women & Child Dept sites | ₹10,000 – ₹20,000 | Child Care, Nutrition Support |
| Police Constable (Women Battalion) | 10th / 12th pass | Respective State Police Portals | ₹25,000 – ₹35,000 | Police, Security, Women’s Unit |
Career Growth After 10th-Level Exams
Landing a government job after Class 10 isn’t the end — it’s a solid starting point. Most departments offer promotions, departmental exams, and training programs that help employees climb the ladder fast.
| Starting Exam | Promotion Levels | Time Frame | Max Pay Scale (₹/month) |
| RRB Group D (Railways) | Assistant → Technician → Junior Engineer → Section Engineer | 3–8 years | ₹60,000+ |
| SSC MTS | MTS → Clerk → UDC → Assistant Section Officer | 4–6 years | ₹55,000+ |
| India Post GDS | GDS → Postal Assistant → Post Master | 5–10 years | ₹60,000+ |
| Police Constable | Constable → Head Constable → Sub-Inspector → Inspector | 5–12 years | ₹70,000+ |
| Army Soldier (GD) | Soldier → Lance Naik → Naik → Havildar → Subedar | 4–10 years | ₹75,000+ |
Why this matters: Students who start early gain seniority faster than degree-holders who enter later. With internal exams and experience, a 10th-pass recruit can reach mid-management or officer levels before 35.
Government Schemes That Support 10th Pass Youth
The Government of India runs several programs to make skill training and entry-level employment easier for matric-pass students. These initiatives also improve eligibility for future government exams.
| Scheme | Managed By | Benefit for 10th-Pass Youth |
| PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana) | NSDC / MSDE | Free short-term skill courses with job placement assistance. |
| NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme) | DGT / MSDE | Paid apprenticeships in PSUs and private industry after 10th + ITI. |
| Skill India Mission | Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship | Over 200 skill courses for manufacturing, retail, and IT services. |
| Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) | Ministry of Rural Development | Free training and job placement for rural youth aged 15–35. |
| Seekho Aur Kamao | Ministry of Minority Affairs | Skill-based training for minority students, especially post-10th. |
Tip: Completing even one certified course under these schemes boosts your employability for RRB, SSC, and PSU apprentice exams.
Upcoming Government Exams After 10th
Keeping track of notifications is key. Here’s a quick look at expected 2025 exam dates based on official patterns and past schedules.
| Exam | Conducting Body | Expected Notification | Application Period | Official Website |
| RRB Group D Recruitment 2025 | Railway Recruitment Board | Dec 2024 | Jan – Feb 2025 | rrbcdg.gov.in |
| SSC MTS 2025 | Staff Selection Commission | Apr 2025 | May – Jun 2025 | ssc.gov.in |
| India Post GDS Cycle II 2025 | India Post | Mar 2025 | Apr – May 2025 | indiapostgdsonline.gov.in |
| Indian Army Rally Recruitment | Indian Army (Zone-wise) | Ongoing through 2025 | Regional schedule | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
| State Police Constable Recruitments | Various State Police Boards | Varies (state-wise) | Throughout 2025 | State Police Portals |
| BHEL / ONGC Apprentice Intake 2025 | PSUs under MSDE | Feb 2025 | Mar – Apr 2025 | apprenticeshipindia.gov.in |
Pro Tip: Bookmark ncs.gov.in and your state PSC website — both aggregate real government vacancies and exam notices for 10th-pass candidates.
How to Apply for Government Exams After 10th
- Identify eligible exams: Check notifications on:
- Register online: Fill application, upload photo & documents.
- Pay exam fee (if required): Usually ₹100; SC/ST/female candidates often exempt.
- Download admit card: Check exam schedule via official site.
- Prepare for written + physical (if applicable):
- Focus on General Knowledge, Reasoning, English, and Current Affairs.
- Appear and verify documents.
Tip: Avoid fake job ads — always cross-check on official .gov.in sites.
Common Myths About Government Exams After 10th
| Myth | Reality |
| “Only graduates can get government jobs.” | Many central and state exams accept 10th-pass candidates. |
| “10th-pass jobs have low pay.” | Defence, Police, and Railway roles offer ₹25K–₹40K/month. |
| “You need coaching to clear.” | Basic preparation and discipline are enough for most entry-level exams. |
Final Words
Starting government service right after Class 10 isn’t just possible — it’s practical.
With exams like RRB Group D, SSC MTS, India Post GDS, and Army GD, you can earn ₹25,000+ monthly, gain stability, and grow with experience.
Choose your department, prepare early, and keep an eye on notifications — your career doesn’t have to wait till graduation.
Explore more:
- Upcoming Government Jobs After 10th
- ITI Courses After 10th
- High Salary Jobs After 10th
- Govt Diploma Courses After 10th
- Short Term Courses After 10th
FAQs
RRB Group D, SSC MTS, and Indian Army GD are among the best exams for 10th-pass students in 2025.
Yes. Postal, Police, SSC, and Anganwadi jobs accept female candidates with 10th qualification.
Most exams allow 18–25 years; defence jobs may start at 17.5 years.
No. Free study material and practice tests on government portals are enough for entry-level roles.
Railways, Defence, and Postal department jobs come with pension and medical benefits.
Himanshu is a seasoned digital marketing professional with expertise in SEO and social media marketing. With his insightful blogs and articles, Himanshu has been guiding students and professionals in choosing the right career. He shares useful insights and current trends on career choices that help readers choose the right profession.
