Quick Summary
- The toughest exams in India include JEE, UPSC CSE, CLAT, GATE, CAT, NEET, etc.
- UPSC CSE tops the list with 0.1 to 0.3% selection rate.
- It is important to combine hard work and smart work, proper planning and execution for success.
Table of Contents
India is well known for conducting some of the most difficult exams in the world. But do you know which is the toughest exam in India? It has always been a topic of debate whether the toughest exam in India is UPSC CSE or JEE or CLAT. These exams mostly involve objective-type multiple-choice questions and require utmost dedication while preparing.
The UPSC CSE, also known as the IAS Exam, is the toughest exam in India. It has a rigorous selection process, with a very low success rate. Only a small percentage of candidates make it to the final list. In this blog, you will discover more about the hardest exams in India, including IIT JEE, CA, NEET, AIIMS, GATE, NDA, CLAT, UGC-NET, and IES.
Importance of Understanding Difficulty Levels
Understanding the challenges of the toughest exam in India, such as the UPSC Civil Services Exam, can significantly improve preparation. Here’s how recognizing its difficulty can help:
1. Better Study Plans
Knowing that the toughest exam in India requires extensive preparation helps students create focused study plans. For a challenging exam like UPSC, allocating more time to complex topics is essential, while easier subjects can be reviewed more quickly.
2. Time Management
Understanding the toughness of the exam aids in effective time management. Students can allocate more study hours to difficult subjects, preventing last-minute cramming and reducing stress levels.
3. Confidence Boost
Familiarity with the expectations of the toughest exam in India can enhance confidence. A solid preparation plan and realistic goals help minimize anxiety, leading to improved performance.
4. Spotting Weaknesses
Identifying which areas of the UPSC syllabus are more challenging allows students to concentrate on improving their weaknesses, ensuring a comprehensive preparation for the toughest exam in India.
5. Mock Tests
Taking mock tests that reflect the difficulties of the toughest exam in India is crucial. These practice exams help students get accustomed to the format and build endurance needed for the actual test.
6. Realistic Goals
Understanding the challenges of the toughest exam in India sets achievable goals. This approach keeps students motivated and helps avoid burnout, allowing them to celebrate small victories along the way.
By grasping the challenges posed by the toughest exams in India, students can tailor their preparation effectively and approach their studies with confidence. For more insights on the UPSC Civil Services Exam, visit UPSC Civil Services Exam Information.
Criteria for Toughest Exams in India
The Criteria for the Toughest Exams in India are as follows:
Syllabus Breadth and Depth
- Breadth: “How many subjects do I need to cover?” The toughest exams in India, like UPSC Civil Services, make you study almost everything – history, economics, science, geography, and current events. You need to have basic knowledge across all these areas to do well.
- Depth: “How deeply do I need to understand each topic?” Some exams require a deeper grasp. For example, GATE expects you to know every small detail of engineering subjects, so skimming through chapters won’t help – you need to master them thoroughly.
Number of Candidates
“The more students giving the exam, the harder it gets.” For the toughest exams like NEET, millions of students fight for a limited number of medical seats. Just one or two extra marks can shift your rank by hundreds, making competition super intense.
Passing Rates
“Is it hard to pass?” Some of the toughest exams in India, such as the CA Exam, have very low passing rates. That means even with good preparation, staying consistent and giving it your all in every attempt is essential.
Preparation Time Required
“How long should I prepare?” The toughest exams, like JEE Advanced, can take 1-2 years of dedicated preparation, involving coaching classes, mock tests, and practice papers. Some other exams need less time, but planning your studies and staying consistent is the key to success.
Top 10 Toughest Exams in India
Let’s explore the details of India’s top 10 toughest exams and what makes them difficult.
- UPSC Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE)
- Joint Entrance Exam (JEE)
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
- Common Admission Test (CAT)
- National Defence Academy (NDA)
- Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
- Chartered Accountant (CA)
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)
- UGC National Eligibility Test (UGC NET)
- National Institute of Design Finance
1. UPSC Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE)
The most toughest exam in India is UPSC CSE, held annually by the Union Public Service Commission for recruiting candidates into civil services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and associated roles. The eligibility to appear for UPSC is a recognized university graduation.
The exam comprises three stages: preliminary, main written, and personality tests. Prelims contain two multiple-choice papers, while mains have nine descriptive papers. Merit is based on main and personality test scores, testing consistency and problem-solving skills, emphasizing current events and book knowledge. Despite many yearly applicants, the selection rate is under 1%.
| Candidates appeared | 10 lakh (approx.) |
| Selection rate | 0.1 to 0.3% |
| Level of exam | National |
| Frequency of exam | Annual |
| Mode of exam | Offline |
| Duration of exam | Prelims – 2 hours each for both papers Mains – 3 hours each for 9 papers |
| Purpose of exam | Recruitment for the posts of IAS, IPS, IFS, and central services as per the rules of the Department of Personnel & Training |
2. Joint Entrance Examination (JEE)
The National Testing Agency (NTA) administers the national JEE exam, attracting numerous students annually. It consists of two papers: Paper 1 for B.E/B.Tech and Paper 2 for B.Arch/B.Planning courses. There are two levels: JEE Main for NITs, IITs, and other government institutes, and JEE Advanced for IITs, IISc, and RGIPT, with questions from physics, chemistry, and math.
The number of JEE Advanced questions varies yearly, making it one of India’s toughest exams, fostering intense competition among candidates for top rankings and IIT admissions.
| Candidates appeared | 6 lakh approx. |
| Selection rate | 25 – 30% |
| Level of exam | National |
| Frequency of exam | Twice in a year |
| Mode of exam | Online computer based |
| Duration of exam | 3 hours |
| Purpose of exam | to get admission to engineering colleges |
3. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) committee conducts the GATE exam, an all-India exam, in eight regions nationwide. The committee has diverse members from the National Coordinating Board and Department of Higher Education, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, and IISc.
Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) will use the final GATE score. PSU recruits students for jobs like Indian oil, GAIL and Hindustan Petroleum.
The exam pattern will be based on multiple-choice, multiple-select questions, or numerical answer types. There will be 2 sections – General aptitude and candidate’s selected section.
| Candidates appeared | 7 lakh approx. |
| Selection rate | 17% |
| Level of exam | National |
| Frequency of exam | Once a year |
| Mode of exam | Online |
| Duration of exam | 3 hours |
| Purpose of exam | To test student knowledge in Engineering and Science and for recruitment in companies like GAIL |
4. Common Admission Test (CAT)
The CAT is a national-level exam. IIM conducts it on a rotational basis. It is a computer-based test for admission to the Master in Business Administration (MBA). A student with a 50% aggregate score in a Bachelor’s degree can apply for the exam, and the aggregate score is 45% for reserved categories.
The paper has 3 sections: quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning and data interpretation, verbal ability, and reading comprehension. The questions will be in the form of multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions.
This year, 66 questions are expected to be asked. CAT scores will be determined based on the scaling and normalization process, as the exam is conducted in multiple shifts.
| Candidates appeared | 2.30 lakh approx. |
| Selection rate | 2% |
| Level of exam | National |
| Frequency of exam | Annual |
| Mode of exam | Online |
| Duration of exam | 2 hours |
| Purpose of exam | Pursuing MBA courses in business schools |
5. National Defence Academy (NDA)
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has the authority to conduct the NDA exam, India’s toughest exam for the defence line. The selected candidates will get a chance to enter the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA.
The exam is conducted twice a year. The Supreme Court recently gave a verdict in 2021 and allowed women to sit for the NDA exam.
Also Read: NDA Previous Year Papers – PDF Download
The exam pattern will be based on a written test and Service Selection Board (SSB) interview. It has questions from the mathematics and general ability sections. The general ability test syllabus contains topics from English and general awareness. The mathematics paper has 300 marks, and the general ability test has 600 questions. The candidates will be able to serve the nation after getting selected in this exam.
| Candidates appeared | 3 lakh approx. |
| Selection rate | 0.1% |
| Level of exam | National |
| Frequency of exam | Twice a year |
| Mode of exam | Offline |
| Duration of exam | 2.5 hours each for both papers |
| Purpose of exam | To serve in the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA |
6. Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
The Consortium of National Law Universities administers the annual CLAT exam for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs at 24 national law universities in India.
The exam features 150 questions across five sections—Logical reasoning, Legal aptitude, English, General Knowledge, and Maths—conducted offline. Qualifying candidates can pursue careers in law, judiciary, higher education, and civil services. A minimum cut-off mark is necessary, with no maximum age limit for candidates.
| Candidates appeared | 60,000 approx. |
| Selection rate | 3% approx. |
| Level of exam | National |
| Frequency of exam | Twice in a year |
| Mode of exam | Offline |
| Duration of exam | 2 hours |
| Purpose of exam | For admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law colleges |
7. Chartered Accountant (CA)
One of India’s toughest exam is the Chartered Accountant exam. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has been conducting the CA exam since the beginning. The degree is equivalent to a postgraduate degree at Delhi University (DU). The candidates need to clear 3 levels – foundation, intermediate and final. It is held twice a year.
The foundation course will be based on multiple-choice questions, but the other stages will include multiple-choice and descriptive questions.
The foundation exam has 4 papers, and the intermediate and final exam has two groups with 4 papers each. This exam is one of the toughest exam in India and demands more study time and hard work. The candidates must clear all the stages to fulfil their dream of becoming a chartered accountant.
| Candidates appeared | 93,729 approx. |
| Selection rate | 25% |
| Level of exam | National |
| Frequency of exam | Twice a year |
| Mode of exam | Online computer based |
| Duration of exam | 3 hours for the final exam |
| Purpose of exam | candidates who will qualify will become certified chartered accountants |
8. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)
The National Testing Agency conducts the NEET exam. It is the toughest exam in India for the medical field. It is conducted for admission to various undergraduate courses like Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), AYUSH, and veterinary courses every year. The questions revolve around Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, and Botany subjects.
The total mark is 720 for this exam. The competition and cut-off are both increasing at a fast pace. It is a single-stage exam. There is no defined maximum age limit, but the minimum age should be above or equal to 17 years.
| Candidates appeared | 18 lakh approx. |
| Selection rate | 6.5 – 7% |
| Level of exam | National |
| Frequency of exam | Annual |
| Mode of exam | Offline |
| Duration of exam | 3 hours |
| Purpose of exam | For admission to undergraduate courses like Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), AYUSH, and veterinary courses |
Related Read: Toughest Competitive Exams after 10th in India | Complete List
9. UGC National Eligibility Test (UGC NET)
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is responsible for conducting the UGC NET exam for the University Grants Commission (UGC). The exam is conducted to become assistant professors or seek junior research fellowships. It is conducted twice a year.
The required eligibility is that aspiring candidates must have 55% marks in their Master’s degree. It has two papers. Both are conducted in online mode.
The common paper includes questions about teaching and research aptitude, general awareness, reasoning ability, and reading comprehension. Paper 2 is subject-specific. The candidates need to get 40% marks to qualify for the paper. The reserved candidates should get 35% as minimum marks.
| Candidates appeared | 5 lakh approx. |
| Selection rate | 9% approx. |
| Level of exam | National |
| Frequency of exam | Twice a year |
| Mode of exam | Online computer based |
| Duration of exam | 3 hours |
| Purpose of exam | getting eligibility for the posts of assistant professor and junior research fellowship award in Indian universities and colleges |
10. National Institute of Design Entrance
The NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is conducted at the national level by the National Institute of Design. The candidates take the NID DAT exam for admission into undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
There will be two stages – NID DAT prelims and NID DAT mains. Both stages are qualifying in nature. The candidates should have attained 19 years before applying for the exam. The merit list will be prepared based on the scores obtained in the prelims and mains. The NID conducts counselling in 2 stages.
| Candidates appeared | 15000 |
| Selection rate | 14% |
| Level of exam | National |
| Frequency of exam | Annual |
| Mode of exam | Offline |
| Duration of exam | 3 hours |
| Purpose of exam | admission for undergraduate and postgraduate design programs |
Similar Read: World’s Most Toughest Exams: Complete List
Strategies to Crack Tough Exams
- Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the exam structure, marking scheme, and topics covered in each section.
- Create a Study Plan: Develop a well-structured study schedule allocating time for each subject/topic, focusing on weaker areas while revising stronger ones.
- Quality Study Material: Use trusted and recommended study materials, including textbooks, online resources, previous years’ papers, and mock tests.
- Practice Regularly: Regular practice through mock tests and sample papers helps in time management, improves accuracy, and familiarizes you with the exam format.
- Time Management: Practice solving questions within the stipulated time frame to enhance speed and accuracy during the actual exam.
- Revision is Key: Regularly revise concepts, formulas, and important topics to retain information effectively.
- Seek Guidance: Consider joining coaching classes or online courses specifically designed for exam preparation. Expert guidance can provide valuable insights and tips.
- Stay Updated: Keep abreast of current affairs, general knowledge, and recent developments in relevant fields through newspapers, magazines, and online sources.
- Health and Well-being: Maintain a healthy lifestyle, get adequate rest, and manage stress effectively to ensure peak performance during the exam.
- Believe in Yourself: Stay confident and maintain a positive mindset. Believe in your preparation and abilities.
Factors Contributing to Toughest Exams in India
What Makes an Exam the Toughest in India?
- A Lot to Study
- What it means: Tough exams like UPSC or JEE Advanced require you to learn tons of subjects and topics. For example, UPSC includes history, geography, economics, and even current events. Keeping up with everything can feel like a marathon.
- Impact: You’ll need to plan smartly by making notes, revising regularly, and breaking big topics into small, manageable chunks.
- Need to Understand, Not Just Memorize
- What it means: In exams like GATE or JEE Advanced, it’s not enough to remember formulas—you need to understand how and when to use them. These exams test whether you can apply what you’ve learned to solve tricky problems.
- Impact: Students often need practice tests to develop problem-solving skills. Coaching classes focus on building concepts, not just cramming facts.
- Stress and Pressure
- What it means: High-stakes exams like NEET or CAT are very competitive, with millions of students fighting for limited seats. This creates a lot of mental pressure, with candidates facing stress from expectations, fear of failure, and long preparation hours.
- Impact: Managing stress is as important as studying. Taking breaks, talking to friends or family, and staying motivated can help you stay mentally strong during the process.
In short, India’s toughest exams challenge students with huge syllabuses, deep conceptual questions, and intense competition, but staying focused, consistent, and managing stress is the key to success.
Conclusion
In summary, India hosts several challenging exams, and while the debate over which is the toughest exam in India leans towards JEE, the reality is that each exam on our list, from UPSC CSE to NID, demands extensive preparation and commitment.
Success in these tests requires a blend of hard work, strategic planning, quality study materials, regular practice, effective time management, consistent revision, seeking guidance, staying updated, and prioritizing mental and physical well-being. Each exam assesses distinct skills and knowledge, making them rigorous but achievable with the right approach and mindset.
Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive in to our guide on Career Advice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Which is the toughest exam in India?
The Union Public Service Commission can be considered the toughest exam in India. The success rate is around 0.1 % to 0.3% in India. The final merit score will be based on marks in the mains and interview process. Maintaining equal dedication and energy at all stages is difficult in this exam.
Which is the toughest exam in the world?
The Gaokao exam in China is the toughest in the world. The candidates are tested for critical thinking ability through this exam. It is an entrance examination for all higher educational institutions in China. The future of many children depends on this exam. Sometimes, it becomes difficult for the appearing candidates to tackle these exams.
Which are the top 5 toughest exams in the world?
The top 5 toughest exams in the world are the Gaokao exam in China, the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) in India, the UPSC civil services examination (UPSC CSE), the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) exam and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) of USA. These exams test the knowledge as well as the thinking abilities of candidates.
What is the No. 1 exam in India?
The UPSC civil services exam, considered the toughest exam in India, can be seen as the No. 1 exam in the country. A highly respected position is offered, and the nation and its people can be served by the candidates. The selection percentage is also less than 1%.
Which is India’s No 1 competitive exam?
India’s top competitive exam is the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), recruiting for elite positions in the IAS, IPS, and IFS. It features three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Interview, making it one of the toughest exams in the country. Its extensive syllabus and intense competition make it highly sought after by aspirants aiming for public service careers.
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