Cracking government exams can be challenging and demanding, but anything worth having doesn’t come easy. Lakhs of candidates spend years preparing for these competitive exams, vying for a limited number of vacancies. Due to their extensive syllabus, cut-throat competition, and a limited number of openings, certain exams are among the most difficult to crack. These exams demand unwavering dedication, years of hard work, and extensive preparation. Here’s a list of the toughest competitive exams in India that not everyone can crack.
Top 10 Toughest Exams in India
India is known for its rigorous and highly competitive education system, wherein examinations play a crucial role in shaping a candidate’s future. These exams evaluate candidates’ aptitude knowledge, quantitative ability and language proficiency. In fact, according to Erudera, an online education search platform, three of India’s most sought-after competitive exams are ranked among the top 10 toughest exams in the world. These exams include the Joint Entrance Examination (IIT JEE) conducted by IIT, the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Besides these, listed below are the toughest competitive exams in India.
India’s Toughest Exams
- UPSC IAS
- JEE Advanced
- GATE: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
- IIM CAT
- NDA
- CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)
- Chartered Accountant (CA) Exam
- UGC-NET
- NEET
- National Institute of Design Entrance Exam
Top 10 Toughest Exams in India
There are several exams conducted in India. However, some of the toughest are mentioned below.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination
UPSC CSE is undoubtedly one of the most India’s toughest exam. It serves as the gateway to prestigious positions like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS). It is conducted in three stages – Prelims, Mains, and the Interview round.
Every year, approximately 10-12 lakh candidates apply for the UPSC exam, but only a few thousand manage to ace it. Its extensive syllabus and need for a thorough understanding of concepts make it one of the toughest exams in India.
- Exam level: National
- Exam frequency: Annually
- Exam mode: Offline
IIT JEE: Indian Institute of Technology – Joint Entrance Exam
Ranked second on the list of toughest exams in India, IIT JEE is a highly competitive exam. It is a national-level common entrance exam for candidates who aspire to enter the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology. It is divided into two parts: IIT Mains and JEE Advanced.
JEE Mains is the first stage of the entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency twice a year. While JEE advanced is the final stage.
- Exam level: National
- Exam frequency: Twice a year (January and April)
- Exam mode: Computer Based Test
- Total marks: 300
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
For those aspiring to pursue post-graduation in Engineering, GATE is the ultimate test. It is a national-level examination conducted for Master of Engineering (ME), Master in Technology (MTech) and direct PhD admissions to IITs, NITs, IIITs and other institutes/universities across India. The difficulty level of the exam is exceptionally high, demanding a deep understanding of concepts and proper preparation strategy.
- GATE conducting Institute: IIT Kanpur
- Exam type: National level
- Exam frequency: Once a year
- Exam mode: Online
- Questions type: MSQ/MCQ/NAT
- Language: English
Indian Institutes of Management Common Admission Test (IIM CAT)
CAT is a challenging exam for graduates aspiring to pursue higher education in Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It assesses candidates’ understanding of quantitative ability, data interpretation, verbal ability, and logical reasoning. This national-level exam offers a limit number of seats, hence, the competition level is very intense.
- Exam type: National level, MBA entrance exam
- Exam frequency: Once a year
- Exam mode: Online
- Language: English
National Defence Academy (NDA)
Administered by the Services Selection Board, the NDA is the national-level exam conducted to recruit the most qualified candidates for the country’s most prestigious defence academy. It is considered as the toughest exam in India as a large number of candidates appear for it. All candidates who have cleared class 12th and want to enrol in the military must clear this exam.
Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
CLAT is the gateway to India’s premier National Law Universities (NLUs). Aspiring lawyers must ace this exam to get admission to prestigious National Law Universities. The exam tests candidates on their proficiency in subjects like English, general knowledge, legal reasoning, and mathematics.
- Exam frequency: Twice a year
- Exam type: Law Entrance Test
- Exam mode: Offline
- Exam duration: 2 hours
Chartered Accountant (CA) Exam
Conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the CA exam is divided into three levels. The initial stage is the Common Proficiency Test (CPT), followed by the Integrated Professional Competence Course (IPCC). The IPCC includes studying a total of seven subjects.
Upon clearing it, aspiring chartered accountants face the CA Final Examination. The exam tests candidates on advanced financial reporting, strategic financial management, and other complex subjects.
UGC-NET
Conducted by the National Testing Agency, the UGC NET examination is another challenging endeavor for those passionate about becoming teachers. The competition is intense as lakhs of candidates appear for the exam.
- Conducting body: National Testing Agency
- Exam level: National
- Exam frequency: Twice a year
- Exam mode: Online (CBT)
- Exam duration: 180 minutes
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)
For those with aspirations of becoming doctors and dentists, the NEET is the ultimate challenge. It serves as the entrance examination for the prestigious medical and dental colleges in India. The exam tests candidates based on their understanding of the subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics. The stringent competition for limited medical seats increases the competition level and intensity.
National Institute of Design Entrance Exam
The National Institute of Design (NID) conducts a highly competitive entrance exam for admission to various undergraduate and postgraduate design programs. This exam is regarded as one of the toughest exams in India due to the large number of candidates applying for it and the limited number of seats available. This exam tests candidates’ aptitude, creativity, innovation, and design-thinking skills. It evaluates their ability to solve problems and think critically in the context of design.
Preparation Tips for Toughest Exams in India
Embarking on a journey to crack India’s toughest competitive exams requires unwavering dedication, an effective preparation strategy and a thorough understanding of the syllabus. It is important to recognize that success in these exams goes beyond mere academic knowledge; it demands analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to perform under pressure.
