In 2012, Merkulova won the Tashkent World Cup All-around title and the individual apparatus finals in ball, hoop and clubs.

At the Grand Prix Vorarlberg in Austria in July 2012, Merkulova won the bronze medal in all-around behind Kanaeva and Dmitrieva as well as silver in the hoop finals.

At the World Cup series in Minsk, she finished fourth in the all-around behind Liubov Charkashyna and won silver in the clubs final.

At the second World Cup series of the season, held in Lisbon, Portugal, Merkulova won silver in All-around but withdrew from the hoop event because of a sprained ankle.

She returned to competition at the 2013 Corbeil-Essonnes World Cup, placing fourth in All-around and winning bronze medals in the hoop and ribbon finals.

Merkulova was initially listed in the Russian team for the 2013 European Championships in Vienna, Austria but was later replaced by Kudryavtseva.

In February 2015, Merkulova announced the end of her competitive sport career as a gymnast at the 2015 Grand Prix Moscow gala.