Hello,

No Diploma cannot be taken as 12th, Diploma is a separate branch of study which you can take up on the basis of your 10th marks. If you are not interested in studying 11th and 12th then you can take admission in any polytechnic college or university and pursue the stream of your preference. You can complete this course in the span of three years.

Completing 12th will lead you to choose from degrees and courses such as BA, BA hons, B.Com, BSc, BBA, B.Tech etc.

Completing a diploma is a vocational training course. If you take up ITI as a diploma course then you will be a skilled technician. If you plan to go for higher studies then you can enroll in a polytechnic college(diploma) through lateral entry.

Hope this helps!