18 Most Competitive Exams in India: Tougher Than You Think

India’s education system is known for its challenging and competitive exams, designed to test a student’s knowledge, skills, and perseverance. These exams often serve as gateways to the country’s top institutions and prestigious careers. The intensity, vast syllabus, and immense competition make these exams some of the toughest globally. While these exams may be challenging, they also offer tremendous opportunities for those who succeed. Students must dedicate themselves to rigorous preparation, strategic study plans, and mental resilience to excel in these exams and pursue their dreams.

Preparing for these exams is not just about understanding the syllabus but also about building the stamina to endure the pressure, competition, and complexities of each test. Each of these exams opens doors to world-class institutions, high-paying jobs, and the ability to contribute significantly to India’s development.

18 Challenging Exams in India That Every Aspirant Should Know:

1. UPSC Civil Services Examination

• Purpose: Selects candidates for top administrative positions in India (IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.).
• Eligibility: Graduation in any stream from a recognized university.
• Stages:
  1. Preliminary Exam (Objective)
  2. Mains Exam (Descriptive)
  3. Interview (Personality Test)
• Competition: Over 10 lakh candidates apply annually, with a success rate of less than 1%.
• Why it’s tough: The vast syllabus, deep understanding of general knowledge, and multiple stages make this one of the toughest exams in India.

2. IIT-JEE (Joint Entrance Examination)

• Purpose: Entrance exam for admission to undergraduate programs in IITs, NITs, and other top engineering colleges.
• Eligibility: Candidates must have completed or be in the final year of their 10+2 education with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
• Stages:
  1. JEE Main (Objective)
  2. JEE Advanced (Objective and Subjective)
• Competition: About 14+ lakh candidates appear annually, and only about 30% qualify for JEE Advanced.
• Why it’s tough: Requires deep conceptual knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The competition is fierce, and the questions are designed to test high levels of problem-solving ability.

3. NEET UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates)

• Purpose: Medical entrance exam for MBBS and BDS courses across India.
• Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
• Stages: Single stage (Objective Exam)
• Competition: Around 20+ lakh candidates appear annually, with a success rate of about 7%.
• Why it’s tough: NEET tests students’ in-depth knowledge of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, with the competition from lakhs of students vying for limited seats.

4. CAT (Common Admission Test)

• Purpose: Entrance exam for MBA programs in top business schools like IIMs.
• Eligibility: Graduation in any discipline.
• Stages: Single stage (Objective Exam with sections on Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability).
• Competition: Over 2+ lakh candidates annually, with a success rate of about 2%.
• Why it’s tough: The quantitative aptitude and logical reasoning sections are designed to test the candidate’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills under time pressure.

5. GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)

• Purpose: Entrance exam for admission to postgraduate engineering programs in IITs, NITs, and other institutions.
• Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in engineering/technology or equivalent.
• Stages: Single stage (Objective Exam with some sections requiring detailed answers).
• Competition: Approximately 7+ lakh candidates annually, with a success rate of 17%.
• Why it’s tough: The exam requires in-depth knowledge of engineering subjects and tests candidates’ analytical skills.

6. NDA (National Defence Academy) Exam

• Purpose: Selects candidates for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force through the National Defence Academy.
• Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics for the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings.
• Stages:
  1. Written Exam (Objective)
  2. SSB Interview (Psychological and Physical Tests)
• Competition: Around 3+ lakh candidates apply annually, with a success rate of about 0.10%.
• Why it’s tough: The rigorous physical fitness tests combined with intellectual challenges make it one of the most demanding exams.

7. CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)

• Purpose: Entrance exam for admission to National Law Universities (NLUs) for undergraduate and postgraduate law programs.
• Eligibility: 10+2 for undergraduate courses; graduation for postgraduate courses.
• Stages: Single stage (Objective Exam with sections on English, Legal Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, and General Knowledge).
• Competition: Around 60,000 candidates annually, with a success rate of about 3%.
• Why it’s tough: The exam requires excellent verbal reasoning, legal aptitude, and a thorough understanding of current affairs.

8. CA (Chartered Accountant) Exam

• Purpose: Conducted by ICAI, this exam selects candidates for the CA profession.
• Eligibility: Graduation or completion of CPT and IPCC levels.
• Stages:
  1. CPT (Common Proficiency Test)
  2. IPCC (Integrated Professional Competence Course)
  3. Final Exam
• Competition: Approx. 93,729 candidates appear annually, with a success rate of about 25%.
• Why it’s tough: The vast syllabus, long preparation time, and conceptual depth make it one of the toughest professional exams in India.

9. UGC NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test)

• Purpose: Determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor roles in universities.
• Eligibility: Postgraduate degree in the relevant field.
• Stages: Single stage (Objective Exam with a Paper 1 and Paper 2).
• Competition: Around 5 lakh candidates annually.
• Why it’s tough: The specialized knowledge required for specific subjects and the highly competitive nature of the exam make it difficult to crack.

10. NID Entrance Exam

• Purpose: Entrance exam for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate design programs at NID.
• Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent for undergraduate courses; graduation for postgraduate courses.
• Stages:
  1. Written Exam (Objective)
  2. Studio Test and Interview
• Competition: About 20,000 candidates annually.
• Why it’s tough: The exam tests creativity, design thinking, and problem-solving abilities, making it highly competitive.

11. SEBI Grade A (Assistant Manager) Exam

• Purpose: To select candidates for the Assistant Manager role in the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• Eligibility: Graduation in any field.
• Stages:
  1. Preliminary Exam (Objective)
  2. Mains Exam (Descriptive)
  3. Interview
• Competition: Approximately 1+ Lac candidates annually.
• Why it’s tough: The high level of knowledge required in finance, economics, and the financial markets makes it a difficult exam.

12. NABARD Grade A/B Exams

• Purpose: To select candidates for Assistant Manager (Grade A) and Manager (Grade B) roles in NABARD.
• Eligibility: Graduation in any field (with a preference for agriculture, economics, etc.).
• Stages:
  1. Preliminary Exam
  2. Mains Exam
  3. Interview
• Competition: Varies annually.
• Why it’s tough: The exam focuses on economic and banking knowledge, along with a deep understanding of rural development issues.

13. NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) Entrance Exam

• Purpose: For admission to undergraduate and postgraduate fashion design programs.
• Eligibility: 10+2 for undergraduate courses; graduation for postgraduate courses.
• Stages:
  1. Written Exam
  2. Situation Test/Group Discussion/Interview
• Competition: Thousands of candidates apply annually.
• Why it’s tough: The exam demands both creativity and analytical thinking, along with in-depth knowledge of the fashion industry.

14. Banking PO (Probationary Officer) Exam

• Purpose: To select probationary officers for one of India’s largest public sector banks.
• Eligibility: Graduation in any discipline.
• Stages:
  1. Preliminary Exam
  2. Mains Exam
  3. Interview
• Competition: Several lakh candidates apply annually.
• Why it’s tough: The combination of high competition and complex questions in reasoning, quantitative ability, and English make it a challenging exam.

15. SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level) Exam

• Purpose: To select candidates for various posts in government departments.
• Eligibility: Graduation in any discipline.
• Stages:
  1. Tier 1 (Objective)
  2. Tier 2 (Descriptive)
  3. Tier 3 (Skill Test/Interview)
• Competition: Over 10 lakh candidates appear annually.
• Why it’s tough: The exam has multiple stages, and candidates must excel in various subjects, including reasoning, mathematics, and general knowledge.

16. RRB NTPC (Railway Recruitment Board Non-Technical Popular Categories) Exam

• Purpose: To recruit candidates for various non-technical posts in Indian Railways.
• Eligibility: Graduation in any discipline.
• Stages:
  1. Preliminary Exam
  2. Mains Exam
• Competition: Millions of candidates apply each year.
• Why it’s tough: The exam requires candidates to have a strong grasp of general knowledge, reasoning, and mathematics.

17. CDS (Combined Defence Services) Exam

• Purpose: For entry into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy.
• Eligibility: Graduation in relevant fields.
• Stages: Written Exam followed by SSB Interview.
• Why it’s tough: Apart from the intellectual rigor, candidates must also undergo physical fitness tests and interviews, making it a tough exam to crack.

18. CSIR NET (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test)

• Purpose: To determine eligibility for research fellowships and teaching positions in science subjects.
• Eligibility: Postgraduate degree in the relevant field.
• Stages: Single stage (Objective Exam).
• Why it’s tough: The depth of knowledge required in specific scientific subjects makes it challenging.

Conclusion

The exams listed above are not only tests of academic knowledge but also of perseverance, resilience, and the ability to withstand immense competition. For students, preparing for these exams means being ready for months (or even years) of hard work. Whether you aspire to work in the government, join a top engineering or medical college, or become a part of a prestigious business school, excelling in these exams can change the trajectory of your life.