Who does not dream of a great career? While some of us want to serve the nation as a part of the services, many others aspire to become Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, and more. There is also an increased inclination towards what has been considered non-traditional careers. Think chefs, artists, sportsmen, and women. The critical bit is gravitating towards an area we are passionate about and then giving it our best.
However, entering some fields involves facing tough competition and remaining steadfast towards your goal. Below is a list of 8 competitive exams among India’s toughest. The difficulty level can be countered with persistence and rigorous preparation.
Table of Contents
Top toughest exams in India
1. UPSC (Civil Services Exam)
The list must begin with the UPSC examination. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s central agency responsible for conducting examinations for recruitment to various civil services, including the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services. The UPSC exams are known for their rigorous standards and competitive nature, making them one of the toughest examinations in India. Candidates are often known to make multiple attempts to clear the exam.
The exam comprises a preliminary exam, followed by the Mains and a Personal Interview. Upon successfully clearing these levels, you receive training for your qualifying service. Candidates with bachelor’s degrees from a recognized university are eligible for the exam. Candidates can apply in their final year of graduation, provided they complete their degree before the main examination.
You can get more details about the exam here – https://www.upsc.gov.in/
2. NEET
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a highly competitive entrance exam in India for admission to undergraduate medical (MBBS), dental (BDS), and other related courses. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET is mandatory for students aspiring to pursue medical education in India.
To be eligible for the examination, candidates must have completed their 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology), with negative marks for incorrect answers.
3. CLAT
The Common Law Entrance Test is a national-level entrance exam in India for admissions to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs offered by 24 National Law Universities (NLUs) and other affiliated institutions. The exam is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs).
For UG programs (BA LLB), candidates must have completed their 10+2 or equivalent examination with a minimum of 45% for the general category and 40% for SC/ST candidates.For PG programs (LLM), candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) or an equivalent degree from a recognized university.
For the year 2024-25, the Undergraduate (“UG”) CLAT comprised 120 (One hundred and Twenty) students organized into five sections: English Language, Current Affairs Including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques.
You can check the complete details here- https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/
4. IIT-JEE
Appearing for the IIT-JEE exam is almost a right of passage that signifies the development of students in Science. IIT JEE is one of the most prestigious and challenging entrance exams in India for admission to undergraduate engineering programs at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other top engineering colleges. The exam is conducted in two stages: JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
JEE Main requires candidates to have completed their 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The exam is divided into two papers: Paper 1 (for B.E./B.Tech) and Paper 2 (for B.Arch/B.Planning).
To be eligible for JEE Advanced, Candidates must qualify for JEE Main and be among the top candidates.
5. GATE
Should you be aspiring for admission to postgraduate programs (Master’s and PhD) in engineering, technology, architecture, and related fields, you need to appear for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), which is a national-level exam in India. It is jointly conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, and the seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). GATE scores are also used for recruitment by various public sector undertakings (PSUs).
Candidates should have completed a bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology, architecture, or a related field. Final-year students of the qualifying degree are also eligible to apply.
The GATE exam consists of a single paper lasting 3 hours. It comprises multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical answer-type questions (NATs). The total marks for the exam are 100, divided into General Aptitude (15 marks) and the core subject (85 marks).
6. Chartered Accountancy
A lot has been said about the difficulty level of CA exams. Counted amongst one of India’s toughest exams, it sure demands its pound of flesh. The Chartered Accountancy (CA) Exam in India is conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). It’s one of the most prestigious and challenging professional exams for those aspiring to become Chartered Accountants. The CA program consists of three levels:
- CA Foundation:
● Eligibility: Candidates must have passed the 10+2 examination or its equivalent.
● Subjects: The exam covers Principles and Practices of Accounting, Business Laws and Business Correspondence, Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning, and Business Economics.
● Exam Pattern: The exam is conducted twice a year in May and November. - CA Intermediate:
● Eligibility: Candidates must have cleared the CA Foundation exam or have a graduate degree with specified marks.
● Subjects: The syllabus is divided into two groups, covering subjects like Accounting, Corporate and Other Laws, Cost and Management Accounting, Taxation, Advanced Accounting, Auditing and Assurance, Enterprise Information Systems, and Financial Management.
● Exam Pattern: This level is also conducted twice a year. - CA Final:
● Eligibility: Candidates must have cleared the CA Intermediate exam and completed 2.5 years of articleship training.
● Subjects: The syllabus is divided into two groups, covering subjects like Financial Reporting, Strategic Financial Management, Advanced Auditing, Corporate and Economic Laws, Strategic Cost Management, and electives like Risk Management, International Taxation, etc.
● Exam Pattern: Conducted twice a year, this level is the final step before becoming a Chartered Accountant.
You can look up more details here- https://icaiexam.icai.org/
7. UGC-NET
The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is a national-level exam in India that determines eligibility for the award of a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and for appointment as an Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges. The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Candidates must have completed their master’s degree or equivalent examination in a relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST candidates). The exam consists of two papers: Paper 1 (General Aptitude Test) and Paper 2 (Subject-specific paper).
You can get more information here- https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/
8. CAT
Many candidates aspire to bell the CAT exam each year. The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level entrance exam in India for admission to postgraduate management programs (MBA/PGDM) at prestigious institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-schools.
To apply, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates). The CAT exam consists of three sections:
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): Focuses on reading comprehension, grammar, and verbal reasoning.
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): Includes questions on interpreting data and logical reasoning puzzles.
• Quantitative Ability (QA): Covers mathematical concepts such as algebra, arithmetic, geometry, and number systems.
The exam is conducted online (computer-based) and lasts 120 minutes (40 minutes per section).
Here’s the basic information. We wish you the very best in your pursuit of your dreams. Go ahead and give it your best effort, and let the universe see you through!
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