In India, the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is widely regarded as the most challenging due to its vast syllabus, unpredictable nature, and extremely low success rate. However, several other exams across medicine, law, finance, engineering, defense, and banking are equally demanding in their own ways. These exams test specialized knowledge, problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and endurance, making them some of the toughest academic and professional challenges in the country.
If you think UPSC is the hardest, think again! This article explores 9 other competitive exams in India that push candidates to their limits, requiring years of preparation and dedication to crack. Whether you aspire to become a doctor, lawyer, professor, banker, or defense officer, these exams are among the toughest paths to achieving your goal.
1. NEET-UG & NEET-PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Medical)
NEET-UG is the only entrance exam for MBBS admissions in India, making it one of the most competitive exams with over 20+ lakh candidates appearing for limited medical seats. The syllabus is vast, covering Physics, Chemistry, and Biology at an advanced level. The difficulty level of conceptual questions, particularly in Physics and Organic Chemistry, makes this exam challenging.
NEET-PG is even more difficult as it requires detailed knowledge of clinical and applied medical sciences, covering subjects like pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, and surgery. Source
Who Takes It?
Aspiring doctors seeking admission into MBBS or MD/MS programs in government and private medical colleges.
Selection Ratio:
- NEET-UG: Only 5% to 10% of students secure a government medical seat.
- NEET-PG: The competition for premium PG seats in AIIMS, PGI, and JIPMER is even tougher.
2. CA Final (Chartered Accountant Examination)
Becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA) is a challenging process, requiring candidates to clear multiple levels—CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final. The CA Final is particularly difficult, with one of the lowest pass percentages in India.
The exam covers Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Corporate Law, Financial Management, and Strategic Cost Management, requiring intense problem-solving skills and strong numerical ability. The vast syllabus and the requirement to apply concepts in practical scenarios make it incredibly tough. Source
Who Takes It?
Commerce graduates and finance professionals aiming to become Chartered Accountants.
Selection Ratio:
- The pass rate for CA Final is only 5% to 10% in one attempt.
- Many candidates require multiple attempts to clear the exam.
3. Indian Engineering Services (IES/ESE)
The Engineering Services Examination (ESE), conducted by UPSC, is the toughest exam for engineers in India. It recruits engineers for high-profile government engineering departments like Railways, Defense, and Power Sectors.
The exam has three phases—Prelims, Mains, and an Interview, covering a highly technical syllabus from fields like Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, and Electronics Engineering. The questions are not just theoretical but also application-based, testing problem-solving skills under extreme time constraints. Source
Who Takes It?
Engineering graduates aiming for Class 1 Government Engineering Officer positions.
Selection Ratio:
- Less than 0.5% of candidates get selected.
- The difficulty level of numerical and technical problem-solving makes this exam exceptionally hard.
4. RBI Grade B Exam
The RBI Grade B exam is the gateway to elite banking and finance jobs in the Reserve Bank of India. The syllabus includes economics, finance, quantitative aptitude, reasoning ability, and general awareness, making it one of the toughest banking exams in India.
The final selection also includes a difficult personality interview, where candidates need to demonstrate a deep understanding of India’s economic policies, banking system, and monetary policies.
Who Takes It?
Aspirants seeking high-profile banking and regulatory jobs in RBI.
Selection Ratio:
- Only 0.1% to 0.2% of applicants are selected.
- The economic and financial awareness section is considered extremely difficult, even for finance graduates.
5. ISI Admission Test (Indian Statistical Institute)
The ISI Admission Test is regarded as one of the hardest entrance exams in India for mathematics and statistics aspirants. The test contains complex problem-solving questions in probability, linear algebra, calculus, and statistics, requiring higher-order mathematical thinking.
ISI selects only the best candidates for its elite research programs in data science, statistics, and machine learning, making it a dream destination for statisticians. Source
Who Takes It?
Students aspiring for careers in statistics, data science, actuarial sciences, AI research, and financial modeling.
Selection Ratio:
- Less than 2% of applicants qualify, making it tougher than most IIT and GATE exams.
6. CLAT (Common Law Admission Test – UG & PG)
CLAT is the most competitive law entrance exam in India, testing candidates on logical reasoning, legal aptitude, general knowledge, English comprehension, and quantitative techniques.
Admission into top-tier NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad is highly competitive, requiring 99+ percentile scores. Source
Who Takes It?
Aspiring lawyers and legal professionals seeking admission into top National Law Universities (NLUs).
Selection Ratio:
- Only 2% of candidates get into top NLUs.
7. NDA & SSB (National Defence Academy & Services Selection Board Interview)
The NDA written exam covers Mathematics and General Ability, but the real challenge is the SSB Interview, a grueling 5-day process evaluating a candidate’s psychological endurance, leadership skills, and personality traits.
The physical fitness test and medical screening make it even more difficult.
Who Takes It?
Students aspiring to become officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Selection Ratio:
- Less than 1% of applicants qualify.
8. UGC-NET (National Eligibility Test)
UGC-NET is the qualifying exam for Assistant Professorships and Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) in India. Candidates must demonstrate expertise in their subject and academic research skills.
For JRF selection, the cut-off is extremely high, making it one of the toughest exams in the education sector. Source
Who Takes It?
Aspirants aiming for teaching and research careers in Indian universities.
Selection Ratio:
- Only 6% of candidates qualify for Assistant Professor eligibility.
- Less than 1% make it to JRF.
9. AIIMS INI-CET (Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test)
This single exam decides admission into AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, and NIMHANS, India’s most prestigious medical institutes. Source
The difficulty level is higher than NEET-PG, requiring advanced clinical knowledge and diagnostic reasoning.
Who Takes It?
MBBS graduates aiming for postgraduate medical education at India’s top medical institutions.
Selection Ratio:
- 1% to 2% qualify for AIIMS and top PG seats.
Conclusion – UPSC Isn’t Alone!
While the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is considered India’s toughest exam, it is not the only one that demands years of rigorous preparation, deep subject knowledge, and exceptional problem-solving skills. Many other competitive exams in fields like medicine, law, finance, engineering, defense, and banking are equally challenging due to low success rates, vast syllabi, and multi-stage selection processes.
This article explores 9 other extremely difficult exams in India, including NEET, CA Final, IES, RBI Grade B, ISI Admission Test, CLAT, NDA & SSB, UGC-NET, and AIIMS INI-CET. Each of these exams tests candidates’ mental endurance, academic expertise, and strategic thinking, making them some of the toughest hurdles to clear in their respective domains.
If you’re looking to challenge yourself beyond UPSC, these exams might just be the ultimate test of your abilities.
