In India, the pursuit of knowledge and education has always been highly valued, leading to a competitive academic environment. These examinations serve as gateways to esteemed educational institutions and promising careers, making them an integral part of the Indian educational landscape. There are the Top 10 Toughest Exams In India across various fields such as engineering, medicine, Defence, and even business.
On the other hand, when you study Arts Subjects it blesses you with the knowledge of history, political science, geography, and economics which is the core foundation of India’s toughest exams, UPSC. Hence, let’s take a nice detailed look at them!
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Top 10 Toughest Exams In India
- UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
- IIT-JEE (Joint Entrance Examination)
- NDA (National Defence Academy)
- GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
- CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)
- AIIMS MBBS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences)
- UGC NET (University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test)
- CA (Chartered Accountancy Exam)
- NEET (National Eligibility Entrance Test)
- ESE/IES Exam (Indian Engineering Services)
Here is a brief explanation of the toughest exams:
1. UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
UPSC Civil Service Examination is one of the toughest exams in India, conducted by the Government of India for profiles such as IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IPS (Indian Police Service), IRS (Indian Revenue Service), and IFS (Indian Foreign Service).
According to the reports, more than 10 lakh candidates apply for UPSC every year which makes it super-competitive in nature. In addition, this exam is conducted in 2 modes, Preliminary and Mains followed by a solid interview.
Highlights of UPSC:
| Conducted By | Union Public Service Commission |
| Exam Timing | One Time In Year |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
| Medium Of Exam | Hindi & English |
| Exam Duration | Pre: 2 Hrs. & Mains: 3 Hrs. |
| Exam Eligibility | Graduation |
| Mode Of Exam | Offline |
| Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in/ |
| Question type | Pre: Objective & Mains: Subjective |
| Success Rate | 0.2% |
| Exam Date In 2023 | Pre: May 28th, 2023Mains: September 18th, 2023 |
2. IIT-JEE (Joint Entrance Examination)
JEE, is another tough exam conducted by NTA to test the essential qualities of future engineers. On the other hand, this is an undergraduate two-tier exam, JEE Mains and JEE Advanced to gain admission to institutions such as IITs, or NITs.
According to the Reports, more than 12 Lakh candidates write JEE Mains per year and only the Top 1 Lakh are able to sit for JEE Advanced. However, in JEE Advanced, 43,773 out of 1,80,372 are able to be admitted to their dream institutes.
Highlights of IIT-JEE:
| Conducted By | National Testing Agency |
| Exam Timing | Two Times In A year |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
| Medium Of Exam | English & Hindi |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
| Exam Eligibility | 75% in 12th Class |
| Mode Of Exam | Online & Offline |
| Official Website | https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/ |
| Question type | Both Objective & Subjective |
| Success Rate | 25% |
| Exam Date In 2023 | January, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 (2023) |
3. NDA (National Defence Academy)
If you are interested in the Indian Armed Forces then NDA is your thing. One can opt for the Army, navy, and Air Force. However, for the Navy and Air Force, one will require a B.tech degree. On the other hand, 10+2 can opt for the military. According to the report, more than 12 lakh apply for the NDA exam and only 300-400 are selected to serve the nation.
Highlights of NDA:
| Conducted By | Union Public Service Commission |
| Exam Timing | Twice A year |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
| Medium Of Exam | Hindi & English |
| Exam Duration | 5 Hours |
| Exam Eligibility | Minimum 60% In 12th + Unmarried |
| Mode Of Exam | Offline |
| Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in/ |
| Question type | Objective + SSB Interview |
| Success Rate | 0.1% |
| Exam Date In 2023 | April, 16th, 2023 |
4. GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
GATE, one of the Top 10 Toughest Exams In India, is a post-graduate level exam for engineering and science folks. On the other hand, it is jointly conducted by IISc and IITS of Delhi, Bombay, Kharagpur, Guwahati, Kanpur, Madras, and Roorkee. According to reports, more than 8 Lakh candidates apply for GATE in a year and only 1 Lakh are selected for higher education in Tech and Science.
Highlights of Gate:
| Conducted By | Indian Institute Of Science |
| Exam Timing | Once A year |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
| Medium Of Exam | English |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
| Exam Eligibility | Minimum 60% In B.E or B.Tech |
| Mode Of Exam | Online |
| Official Website | https://gate.iitkgp.ac.in/ |
| Question type | Objective |
| Success Rate | 18% |
| Exam Date In 2023 | February, 4, 5, 11, 12 (2023) |
5. CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)
If you want to pursue Law UG or PG then CLAT is all you need.
Highlights of CLAT:
| Conducted By | National law Universities |
| Exam Timing | Once A Year |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
| Medium Of Exam | English |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
| Exam Eligibility | UG: Min 45% in 12thPG: Min 50% in 3-Year LLB |
| Mode Of Exam | Offline |
| Official Website | https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/ |
| Question type | Objective |
| Success Rate | 5% |
| Exam Date In 2023 | December, 03 (2023) |
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6. AIIMS MBBS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences)
Want to pursue your MBBS in a quality institute then there are two options, either crack the NEET or AIIMS exam. However, AIIMS has not been conducting exams since the academic year, 2020-21. Hence, we are left with the option of clearing NEET conducted by NTA.
Highlights of AIIMS MBBS:
| Conducted By | All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi |
| Exam Timing | Once A Year |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
| Medium Of Exam | English & Hindi |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Exam Eligibility | Min. 60% in 12th (PCB) |
| Mode Of Exam | Online |
| Official Website | https://www.aiimsexams.ac.in/ |
| Question type | Objective |
| Success Rate | 0.35% |
| Exam Date In 2023 | June, 3rd (2023) |
7. UGC NET (University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test)
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Highlights of UGC NET:
| Conducted By | NTA |
| Exam Timing | Twice A Year |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
| Medium Of Exam | English & Hindi |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Exam Eligibility | Min. 50% in PG |
| Mode Of Exam | Online |
| Official Website | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ |
| Question type | Objective |
| Success Rate | Assistant Professors: 6% JRF: 0.5% |
| Exam Date In 2023 | 13 June-22 June (2023) |
8. CA (Chartered Accountancy Exam)
To become a CA, candidates are required to pass the first level exam, CPT (Common Proficiency Test). On the other hand, the second level known as the Intermediate level will be followed by a test, the Integrated Professional Competence Course (IPCC), and the final test will be the CA exam.
Highlights of CA:
| Conducted By | Institute of Chartered Accountants of India |
| Exam Timing | Twice A Year |
| Exam Level | Foundation, Intermediate, Final (National Exam) |
| Medium Of Exam | English |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Exam Eligibility | Min. 60% in 12th |
| Mode Of Exam | Offline |
| Official Website | https://icaiexam.icai.org/ |
| Question type | Both Subjective & Objective |
| Success Rate | 11% |
| Exam Date In 2023 | June, 2023 |
9. NEET (National Eligibility Entrance Test)
Pursuing an MBBS or getting your hand on any medical degree from any quality institute will require qualifying NEET. Hence, find the additional details below.
Highlights of UGC NEET:
| Conducted By | NTA |
| Exam Timing | Once A Year |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
| Medium Of Exam | English & Hindi |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Exam Eligibility | Min. 50% in PCB |
| Mode Of Exam | Offline |
| Official Website | https://neet.nta.nic.in/ |
| Question type | OMR Based |
| Success Rate | 6.5% |
| Exam Date In 2023 | May, 2023 |
10. ESE/IES Exam (Indian Engineering Services)
Want to be a mechanical, technological, or even civil engineer, cracking IES will make your dreams come true!
Highlights of ESE/IES:
| Conducted By | UPSC |
| Exam Timing | Once A Year |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
| Medium Of Exam | English |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Exam Eligibility | UG in Engineering |
| Mode Of Exam | Offline |
| Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in/ |
| Question type | OMR Based |
| Success Rate | 0.5% |
| Exam Date In 2023 | June, 25th, 2023 |
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Summing up, now you know about the Top 10 Toughest Exams In India! So, what are you waiting for? However, for any STUDY ABROAD-related queries, feel free to connect with us! Our team of experts which has extensive expertise in studying abroad would love to assist you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the toughest exams in India?
ANS: The toughest exams in India are UPSC, JEE, NEET, GATE, and CLAT.
Which is India’s No. 1 toughest exam?
ANS: India’s No. 1 toughest exam is UPSC.
What are the 2 toughest exams in India?
ANS: JEE IIT and UPSC Civil Service exams are the 2 toughest exams in India.
Which is harder, UPSC or IIT?
ANS: JEE IIT is harder than UPSC.
