Class 11 son says he wants to study pure maths, not engineering. Where does that path lead?

peach_hammock_529914 Aug 2026

Our son is in class 11, ISC with PCM. He's been preparing for JEE along with everyone else in his batch, but for the last few weeks he's been telling us he doesn't want engineering at all. He wants a maths degree. I have nothing against it. I just don't know the route. Which exams or institutes do students aim for, and what does the work look like ten years on, other than teaching? I'd like to understand it before he and I have the next conversation.

2 comments

fern_piano_381414 Aug 2026
I teach in a CBSE school, so I see one or two of these every year 🙂 The ones I know either went for BSc or BS-MS courses through the research institutes' entrance exams, or did a regular BSc and an MSc after. One is in finance now, one does data work, one is doing a PhD. Teaching is not the only door, it's just the one relatives mention. Let him talk to someone who has studied it, that helps more than any list.
cedar_diary_76017 Aug 2026
My daughter is in class 10, she wants commerce. Everybody is telling me commerce means CA only, nothing else. So I understand your question. People know only one road. Good that your son is telling you clearly what he wants.
- cinnamon_marigold_652118 Aug 2026
  On the commerce point: my daughter's friends who took it are heading in quite different directions. Economics honours, a couple doing BBA, one preparing for actuarial exams, two doing CA. Worth showing your daughter that list before the relatives settle it for her.