CTEVT stands for the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training. Established in 1989 (2045 BS), it is Nepal's national autonomous apex body for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Its core mission is simple: produce skilled, job-ready human resources for both national and international markets.

Now, here's something many Grade 12 graduates in Nepal don't fully realize — CTEVT isn't just for SEE graduates. If you've already completed your Plus Two, you're actually in an even stronger position to pursue CTEVT diploma programs. Your Grade 12 background gives you a solid academic foundation that can help you excel in technical subjects like engineering, health sciences, and IT.

CTEVT operates through more than 1,182 institutions nationwide, including 67 constituent campuses, partnership schools, and privately affiliated colleges. That means wherever you are in Nepal — Kathmandu, Pokhara, Dhangadhi, or your home district — there's likely a CTEVT-affiliated institution near you.

CTEVT Courses After Grade 12 in Nepal: What Are Your Options?

When it comes to CTEVT courses available to students after Grade 12, the options are broader and more exciting than most people think. Here's a detailed breakdown:

1. Engineering Diploma Programs (3 Years)

Engineering remains the most popular stream under CTEVT diploma courses in Nepal. These three-year programs produce middle-level technical manpower and qualify graduates to work as sub-engineers or overseers. The major engineering diploma programs include:

Diploma in Civil Engineering — One of the most in-demand programs. Covers building, transportation, and infrastructure development. Graduates are qualified for government jobs at the Loksewa Level 5 technical post.
Diploma in Computer Engineering / Information Technology — Perfect for students interested in software, programming, hardware, and IT infrastructure. With Nepal's growing tech sector, this is one of the best CTEVT courses for the future.
Diploma in Electrical Engineering — Covers power systems, wiring, and electrical installations. Massive demand in the private sector and abroad.
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering — Focuses on machinery, manufacturing, and maintenance.
Diploma in Automobile Engineering — A fantastic hands-on program. Graduates from this course often earn NPR 30,000–50,000+ per month even during training.
Diploma in Geomatics (Survey) Engineering — Currently one of the highest-demand technical specializations in Nepal's private sector.

2. Health Science Diploma Programs (3 Years)

Health-related CTEVT diploma courses are among the most competitive and rewarding options in Nepal. They open direct doors to government employment and private hospitals alike.

Staff Nurse / PCL Nursing — Highly competitive, nationally recognized, and one of the best-paying technical professions in Nepal.
Health Assistant (HA) — Graduates are eligible for Loksewa Level 5 positions immediately after their three-year diploma. Government vacancies are regularly announced.
Diploma in Pharmacy — With hospitals and pharmacies expanding rapidly across Nepal, pharmacy diploma holders are in high demand.
Diploma in Medical Lab Technology (MLT) — Covers laboratory diagnostics and is essential to Nepal's growing healthcare infrastructure.
Radiography, Physiotherapy, and Optometry — Specialized programs with excellent career scope both within Nepal and abroad.

3. Agriculture and Forestry Programs

For students with a passion for the environment, land, and rural development, CTEVT offers solid diploma programs in:

Diploma in Agriculture — Covers crop science, soil management, and modern farming techniques. Relevant for Nepal's agricultural economy.
Diploma in Forestry — Focuses on conservation, forest resource management, and environmental sustainability.
Animal Science — Covers livestock management and veterinary assistance.

4. Hospitality and Hotel Management

Nepal's tourism industry has been rebounding strongly, making hospitality courses an excellent bet for the future.

Diploma in Hotel Management (DHM) — Covers restaurant service, front-desk operations, and culinary skills. Graduates secure employment in five-star hotels within Nepal and in countries like the UAE and Australia.
Food and Dairy Technology — Quality inspection roles in food factories and the dairy industry.

5. Short-Term Vocational Training (3–6 Months)

If you want to enter the workforce quickly or build a specific skill before pursuing further education, CTEVT offers over 280 short-term training programs. These include electrician and plumbing work, beautician and hairdressing, culinary arts, computer applications, and tailoring — all 100% practically focused and especially valuable for those planning to work abroad as skilled laborers.

CTEVT Admission Process After Grade 12

One of the biggest recent changes in technical education in Nepal is the abolition of entrance examinations by CTEVT. Effective from academic session 2082 BS, CTEVT has completely scrapped its entrance exam system. Admission is now based purely on academic merit — specifically your SEE GPA and a prescribed weightage system.

This is great news. It removes the financial burden of coaching centers and gives students from rural areas a fair shot at quality technical education.

Basic Eligibility for CTEVT Diploma Programs:

Minimum 2.0 GPA with a "C" in English, Mathematics, and Science — required for health programs
Minimum 1.6 GPA with a "C" in Math and Science and "D+" in English — required for engineering and other programs
Students who have completed Grade 12 (Plus Two) are directly eligible, often with a stronger merit profile

Fees are structured to ease the financial load: 40% in the first year, and 30% each in the second and third year. CTEVT also sets a maximum fee ceiling, so private colleges cannot overcharge. Total fees typically range from NPR 15,000 to NPR 500,000 depending on the program and institution type.

Full scholarships are also available for students from Dalit communities, marginalized groups, female students, and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. 3,697 students received full scholarships under CTEVT programs.

Career Scope of CTEVT Courses in Nepal

Here's the honest truth that many students don't hear until it's too late: CTEVT diploma holders often land jobs before conventional bachelor's degree graduates even choose their major.

Here's why the career scope of CTEVT courses after Grade 12 in Nepal is genuinely promising:

1. Direct Government Employment CTEVT diploma and pre-diploma graduates are eligible for thousands of technical vacancies at the Public Service Commission (Loksewa Aayog). Positions at Level 5 (equivalent to Subba) and Level 4 (equivalent to Kharidar) are regularly filled by CTEVT graduates. Since competition is limited to candidates from relevant technical fields, the selection ratio is much more favorable than general civil service exams.

2. Private Sector Opportunities Hospitals, construction companies, IT firms, hotels, and manufacturing industries are all actively hiring CTEVT diploma holders. The average monthly salary for fresh diploma graduates ranges from NPR 25,000 to NPR 60,000 depending on the field, with engineers and health professionals often earning more.

3. International Employment Technical certificates are globally valued. CTEVT graduates regularly find skilled employment in the Gulf countries, Australia, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. Skilled workers in fields like auto mechanics, electrical work, nursing, and IT earn significantly more abroad — sometimes exceeding NPR 100,000 per month.

4. Pathway to Higher Education A common misconception is that CTEVT closes the door to university education. It doesn't. Diploma graduates can pursue related bachelor's degree programs at various universities in Nepal, and some universities also offer credit transfer benefits for relevant CTEVT programs.

According to available data, 78% of certified CTEVT graduates from programs like automobile engineering secure employment — a figure that outperforms many conventional degree streams.

CTEVT After Grade 12 vs. Traditional Bachelor's Degree: Which Is Better?

This is the big question, and honestly, there's no single right answer. It depends on your goals.

Factor	CTEVT Diploma	Traditional Bachelor's
Duration	3 Years	4 Years
Focus	Practical / Vocational	Academic / Theoretical
Job Readiness	Immediate after graduation	Often requires additional training
Government Jobs	Loksewa Level 4 & 5	Loksewa Level 6 & above
Cost	Lower (govt-regulated fees)	Varies widely
Foreign Employment	High value as skilled worker	May require further licensing

If you're someone who learns by doing — by working with tools, patients, computers, or farmland rather than reading textbooks — CTEVT is designed specifically for you. Around 60 to 70% of the CTEVT program is practical and hands-on, including on-the-job training (OJT), which means you're building real experience while you study.

Top CTEVT Colleges and Institutions in Nepal

CTEVT programs are available across all 77 districts of Nepal. Some well-known institutions include:

Panauti Technical School, Kavrepalanchok — Known for its Automobile Engineering program
Bagmati Technical School, Kathmandu
Pokhara Technical School, Gandaki
Constituent campuses in Butwal, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj, and Dhangadhi

For the most current list of affiliated colleges and programs near you, visit the official CTEVT website at ctevt.org.np.

Final Thoughts: Is CTEVT the Right Choice for You After Grade 12?

If you've just completed Grade 12 and you're looking for a practical, affordable, and job-oriented path, CTEVT courses offer a genuinely strong alternative to spending four or more years in a conventional degree program with uncertain employment outcomes.

Whether you're drawn to engineering, healthcare, hospitality, or information technology — CTEVT has a diploma program designed to prepare you for the real world, not just exams. And with entrance exams now abolished and scholarship seats available, the barriers to entry have never been lower.

The job market in Nepal and globally is increasingly valuing skills over certificates. CTEVT was built for exactly that reality. The choice is yours — but it's one worth making with full information.