India has a competitive academic environment. Some of the world's toughest exams are held here.
This exclusive guide will explore the top 10 most toughest exam in India, offering a real insight to aspirants and their readers in general.
Such examinations are for engineering, civil services, medical, and management. The tests form entrance opportunities for the best institutions and most elite careers. To succeed in our competitive schools, students must know the tests demands & difficulty level.
India offers a wide array of career paths, each with its own set of challenging exams. From the Indian Administrative Service to the Indian Foreign Service, and from the Indian Police Service to positions in the Air Force, the options are diverse and exciting.
These national-level exams require in-depth knowledge and rigorous preparation, testing candidates on complex subjects through multiple-choice, descriptive, and sometimes even numerical answer type questions.
Factors That Make An Most Toughest Exam In India
Before we look at the list of India's toughest exams or difficult exam, we must understand what makes an exam hard. Some of these elements include:
Huge syllabus
The quantum of material or topics to be studied and mastered for popular exams.
Ratio of competition
The number of applicants against the available seats, quantitative ability or positions in lakh candidates.
Question level
The depth of understanding, logical reasoning, multiple-choice questions and analytical skills required.
Time factor
The pressure to answer a large number of questions in a limited time.
The marking Exam pattern
Mostly with negative marking for wrong answers to increase the level of difficulty.
Exam Frequency
Some tough exams are held only once a year. This creates tension among the candidates consider the merit list.
For those interested in academia, the Junior Research Fellowship exam opens doors to assistant professor positions in Indian universities.
This national-level examination, conducted by the Department of Higher Education, assesses candidates' academic knowledge across various fields, including social sciences and Engineering and Sciences.
Aspiring business leaders often set their sights on the Common Admission Test (CAT). This exam, crucial for admissions into business schools, evaluates candidates' aptitude in areas like financial management and quantitative skills.
High CAT scores can lead to exciting career opportunities in investment management, asset management, and risk management.
List Of Top 10 Toughest Exam In India
Here is a list of the top 10 toughest exams in India as follows.
- UPSC Civil Services Examination, CSE
- Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination, IIT-JEE Advanced
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, NEET-UG
- Chartered Accountancy, CA Examination
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
- Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
- Union Public Service Commission National Defence Academy (UPSC NDA)
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences Entrance Exam
- Indian Statistical Institute Entrance Exam
- Common Admission Test (CAT)
- JEE Advanced
Let us see the minute details of all these examinations. Detailed Analysis of Each top 10 toughest exams in india.
1
UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)
UPSC CSE is said to be India's toughest exam. It is a preliminary test for some of the most sought-after government jobs.
Key Features :
Why is UPSC the Toughest Exam in India?
UPSC CSE requires deep knowledge. It also tests using that knowledge to answer complex, real-world scenarios.
The UPSC Civil Services Exam is widely considered the most challenging exam in India.
Here are 7 key reasons why:
- Vast syllabus covering multiple subjects
- Extremely competitive with a low selection rate
- Three-stage exam process (Prelims, Mains, and Interview)
- Requires in-depth knowledge of current affairs
- Tests analytical and problem-solving skills
- Demands excellent writing abilities
- Preparation often takes years of dedicated study
The difficulty in exams varies, with some like the Civil Services Exam and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program being notorious for their extreme difficulty.
These exams often require years of preparation and test not just subject knowledge but also analytical skills and the ability to apply concepts to real-world scenarios.
2
Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination Advanced (IIT-JEE)
The JEE (Main) and JEE Advanced are now almost concept-based. The IIT-JEE Advanced tests knowledge of physics, chemistry, and math. It is for entry to the top Indian Institutes of Technology.
Key Features :
Why It's Tough
It is designed to identify the sharpest brains in science and mathematics. The JEE Advanced exam usually has questions that combine concepts from multiple topics.
Engineering aspirants face the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), split into Main and Advanced levels. These exams are known for their difficulty, requiring extensive knowledge in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Success in JEE can lead to admissions in top government engineering colleges.
3
National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG)
The NEET-UG serves as the national level entrance examination for admissions to medical and dental colleges in India.
Key Features :
Why It's Tough
There is fierce competition for medical seats in India. So, NEET-UG is one of the toughest exams. The test requires a perfect grasp of scientific concepts and their use in different situations.
4
Chartered Accountancy (CA)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India conducts the exam. It has a reputation for failing many and testing accounting knowledge in detail.
Key Features :
Why It's Tough
CA is known for low exam pass rates, sometimes even in the single digits for the final level. The CA exam tests a deep understanding of complex financial concepts and their real-life applications.
This makes it one of the toughest professional exams in India.
For those interested in chartered accountancy, the exams conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India represent a significant challenge. This professional qualification opens doors to various financial roles, including positions in companies like Hindustan Petroleum.
5
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
GATE is a national exam for admission to postgraduate engineering programs and public sector jobs.
Key Features :
Why It's Tough
Many GATE questions often need theoretical knowledge coupled with problem-solving abilities. Not only does the exam test recall, but it also tests application in engineering concepts in a complex setting.
6
Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
It is the port of entry to India's National Law Universities-recognized as the best due to the extensive test of legal aptitude.
Key Features :
Why It's Tough
The CLAT is tough due to the variety of questions and the fact that each candidate is racing against speed and accuracy. The legal reasoning part, in particular, makes the test for analytical abilities and quick interpretation.
The legal field has its own set of challenges. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) serves as the gateway to prestigious law schools across India.
This exam tests not only legal knowledge but also reasoning skills and current affairs awareness, preparing candidates for the complex world of law and justice.
7
Union Public Service Commission National Defence Academy
This exam is conducted for becoming an officer in the Indian Armed Forces.
Key Features :
Why It's Tough
The NDA exam is tough. It tests the academic syllabus and other areas. These include candidates' personality and leadership potential. Another element of its toughness is the young age of the aspirants.
They must prepare for this difficult exam while continuing their school studies.
8
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Entrance Exam
NEET is now the most important medical entrance exam. The AIIMS exam is among the toughest due to the institute's name.
Key Features :
Why It's Tough
AIIMS exam questions are rarely direct and straightforward. It tests not simple facts but complex ideas in unplanned scenarios.
In the medical field, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) stands as a formidable challenge for aspiring doctors and those interested in veterinary courses.
This exam requires comprehensive knowledge of biology, chemistry, and physics, testing the limits of candidates' scientific understanding.
9
Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Entrance Test
This exam is for admitting students to ISI's undergrad and postgrad programs in stats, maths, computer science, and quantitative economics.
Key Features :
Why It's Tough
The entrance examination to ISI is one of the toughest in India. The mathematics and statistics questions are at an advanced level. It often includes topics beyond the school curriculum.
It challenges even the brightest math minds.
10
Common Admission Test – (CAT )
The CAT is the dream test for MBA programs at the IIMs and other top business schools.
Key Features :
Why It's Tough
CAT has a reputation for tough questions and stringent time limits. The test is adaptive. So, even high scorers get hard questions. They come from a pool meant to push their limits.
Top 10 Toughest Exams In India : Compression Table
Exam Name | Conducting Body | Frequency | Stages | Subjects Covered | Approx. Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UPSC CSE | UPSC | Annual | 3 | Multiple | <1% |
IIT-JEE Advanced | NTA | Annual | 2 | PCM | 2-3% |
NEET-UG | NTA | Annual | 1 | PCB | 10-15% |
CA | ICAI | Bi-annual | 3 | Accounting, Finance | 5-10% |
GATE | IITs & IISc | Annual | 1 | Engineering disciplines | 15-20% |
CLAT | Consortium of NLUs | Annual | 1 | Law, GK, Reasoning | 5-10% |
UPSC NDA | UPSC | Bi-annual | 2 | Maths, GK, SSB | 2-3% |
AIIMS | AIIMS | Annual | 1 | PCB, GK | <1% |
ISI | ISI | Annual | 1 | Maths, Statistics | 2-3% |
CAT | IIMs | Annual | 1 | Quant, Verbal, DI/LR | 1-2% (for IIMs) |
Note: Success rates are only rough measures and change from year to year.
Are you curious about the most challenging exams in India? Look no further! This article will break down the toughest exams in the country and provide insights into why they're considered so difficult.
Top 10 Toughest Exams in India (Rank-wise)
- UPSC Civil Services Exam (IAS)
- IIT-JEE (Joint Entrance Examination)
- NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)
- CAT (Common Admission Test)
- GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
- CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)
- AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) Entrance Exam
- NDA (National Defence Academy) Exam
- CA (Chartered Accountancy) Exam
- INI CET (Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test)
The Top 3 Toughest Exams in India
- UPSC Civil Services Exam (IAS)
- IIT-JEE (Joint Entrance Examination)
- NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)
Is NEET the Hardest Exam in India?
While NEET is undoubtedly challenging, it's not generally considered the hardest exam in India. However, it is one of the most competitive due to the large number of applicants and limited seats in medical colleges.
Which is the World's Toughest Exam?
While it's difficult to definitively say which exam is the world's toughest, some exams that are often mentioned in this context include:
- Gaokao (China's National College Entrance Examination)
- All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam (University of Oxford, UK)
- IIT-JEE (Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Exam)
- UPSC Civil Services Exam (India)
It's important to note that the difficulty of an exam can be subjective and depend on various factors.
How to Prepare for Difficult Exams : Tips and Tricks
Here is the few suggestions for prepare about toughest exam in india.
Begin Early
Most of these tests have a preparation period that's in the long run. You're supposed to begin at least a year before the test.
Analyze the Syllabus
One must evaluate the exam pattern and syllabus before starting to prepare.
Make a Study Plan
You need to make a practical and flexible study schedule that incorporates all topics.
First Lay the Foundation
A strong base is required to crack tough nuts.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Use past exam questions and mock tests. They help build the speed and accuracy needed for exams.
Time Management
Art of knowing how to divide time in the paper and practice for the same.
Keep Up with the Current Affairs
The UPSC CSE aspirant must keep a track on current affairs as they are important for exams.
Physical and Mental Health
Of the neglected aspects, proper rest, exercise, and nutrition should be prioritized alongside studies.
Join Study Groups or Coaching
Collaborative learning will give new approaches and can also get motivation.
Revise Strategically
The syllabi are too big to memorize. So, revise them often.
List Of Rank Wise Toughest Exam In india
- UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)
- Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination IIT-JEE)
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test NEET-UG
- Chartered Accountant Examination
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
- Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
- Union Public Service Commission
- AIIMS Entrance Exam
- ISI Entrance Exam
- Common Admission Test
Second Toughest Exam in India
The second toughest exam in India is the IIT-JEE Advanced.
IIT-JEE Advanced is the second toughest exam after UPSC's Civil Services Examination. This is an entrance into the Indian Institutes of Technology, the elite engineering institutes of the country.
Why it is difficult:
- Two-Tier: First candidates have to qualify for JEE Main, then only they can take the JEE Advanced
- Conceptual: Further, the problems are designed to test the conceptual knowledge.
- Complexity: Multi-concept problem that evaluate innovation in the problem solving process
- Time-pressure: Problems are quite tricky and time-pressed
- Stakes: The number of IITs and the limited number of seats makes it very high profile and prestigious
- Negative Marking: Score deduction for a wrong answer
Pattern of Examination
- Two papers – Paper 1 and Paper 2
- Each paper has Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics
- Objective questions with multiple-choice, numerical, and matching answers.
- Preparation Time: Most of the successful candidates prepare 2-3 years and normally start as early as class 9th or 10th.
- Success Rate: Only 2-3 % of appearing candidates get admission in IITs
Challenges
- Huge competition: More than 200,000 candidates fight for about 16,000 seats.
- Peculiar Exam: It requires exceptional problem-solving skills and time management.
- The Reputation and High Pressure of the examination result
Preparation Strategies :
- Strong base of PCM(Physics, Chemistry Mathematics)
- Regular practicing previous year papers and Mocks
- Clarity of concept and application
- Time management
- Stress management, health care, and well-being – physical and mental
What makes the IIT-JEE Advanced special is not its toughness, but the kind of engineers it offers to society. In the process of rigorous selection, it became a globally known examination, and IITians were hot cakes for industries and institutions both in India and other countries.
Third Most Difficult Exam in India
Here is the third toughest exams in india is National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG)
It is conducted for admission to the Medical/Dental colleges in India. For its vast syllabus and correspondingly high competition, it has been described to be among the toughest exams in the nation.
Why it is tough to crack:
Huge Syllabus:
The whole 11th and 12th standard Science Courses are the syllabus for this exam.
Very high competition:
There are lakhs of students chasing very few Medical seats.
Accuracy needed:
Most of the questions are incomplete without their exact answer, and the options might be similar.
Management of Time:
A large number of questions asked to be done in less time
High Stakes:
It holds the key to admission in all medical colleges of India except AIIMS and JIPMER.
Negative Marking:
There will be a deduction of score if the answer is incorrect.
Pattern of the Exam:
- There are a total of 180 questions in the exam. Among those, there are 45 questions from Physics and Chemistry, while from Biology, there are 90.
- All the questions will be of multiple-choice types. There will be four options for each question.
- For every correct answer, +4 will be added, while for every incorrect response, there will be a deduction of one mark.
- Prep Time It is observed that most of the successful candidates take up preparation for as long as 2 years alongside their 11th and 12th standard studies.
- Success Rate: Approximately 10-15% of the appearing candidates get qualified for medical admission
Challenges:
- Balancing NEET preparation with board exams
- Huge syllabus that too, with in-depth understanding of sciences sought after
- High mental pressure because of competition and family expectations
- Continuous studying required over a long period of time
Preparation Strategy:
- Revise NCERT textbooks properly
- Solve lots of previous year questions and mock tests regularly
- Prioritize high-yield topics and often repeated concepts.
- Follow discipline with proper time management
- Theory at par with practical knowledge
Not only are the questions tough, but so is the number of aspirants taking the NEET-UG. In terms of health, it decides the fate of India. Students will be selected to be absorbed into this country's medical education system. It is comprehensive.
Highly dedicated, knowledgeable students enter the medical profession. Their quality adds value to the country's healthcare.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The vast syllabus, multi-tier process, and <1% selection ratio make the UPSC Civil Services exam the toughest in India.
Prep time varies. It takes at least 1-2 years for most who prepare for exams like the UPSC CSE, IIT-JEE Advanced, or CA.
Coaching is not necessary. A good number of candidates who were successful did not attend any coaching classes. Online platforms are more than enough to help them prepare.
Age limits are different in all of them. For example, in UPSC CSE, the upper age limit is 32, with relaxations for reserved categories. In contrast, JEE and NEET are usually taken right after 12th standard.
The frequency in trying gets limited from exam to exam. Some, like the CAT, can be tried multiple times, while some of the exams, such as the UPSC CSE, have limited tries depending on the category.
The UPSC Civil Services Exam is widely regarded as the No. 1 exam in India due to its difficulty and prestige.
While NEET is very challenging, it's not generally considered the hardest exam in India. The UPSC Civil Services Exam and IIT-JEE are often seen as more difficult.
Preparation time varies, but many successful candidates study for 1-3 years before passing the exam.
The IIT-JEE is known for its complex questions, vast syllabus in physics, chemistry, and mathematics, and extremely high competition for limited seats.
Conclusion
India's education system has some of the world's toughest exams. The UPSC Civil Services Examination is the most toughest exam in India.
The Union Public Service Commission and GATE tests are tough. So are the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) exams. They are the toughest, most competitive exams. Of all, NEET and JEE are the two pillars pertaining to medical and engineering education, respectively.
The other notable ones are the tough Chartered Accountancy exam by the ICAI, the NDA test by the UPSC, and the CAT for the IIMs. All these exams are by prestigious bodies like the National Testing Agency.
For those drawn to design, the National Institute of Design Entrance Exam offers a unique challenge. This exam assesses creativity and design thinking, often including a hands-on performance test alongside traditional question formats. It's a crucial step for those aiming to pursue undergraduate courses in various design disciplines.
Language enthusiasts might consider taking standardized language proficiency tests like the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test. These exams assess language knowledge across various levels, providing a valuable credential for those seeking international opportunities.
The difficulty in exams varies, with some like the Civil Services Exam and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program being notorious for their extreme difficulty. These exams often require years of preparation and test not just subject knowledge but also analytical skills and the ability to apply concepts to real-world scenarios.
It's worth noting that many of these exams have specific eligibility criteria, including maximum age limits and minimum educational qualifications. The exam application process and exam mode (online or offline) can vary, so it's crucial to check the latest information from the respective examining bodies.
For international comparisons, exams like the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) for medical professionals and the Nationwide Unified Examination for Admissions in China (often called the Gaokao) are often cited among the world's toughest exams.
In the tech world, certifications like the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) from Cisco Systems represent the pinnacle of networking expertise. These exams often include both written tests and hands-on lab exams, ensuring candidates have both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Ultimately, the choice of exam and career path should align with one's interests, strengths, and long-term career goals. Whether you're aiming for executive positions in finance, a career in accounting, or admission to top universities for professional courses, there's likely an exam that will challenge you and help you prove your capabilities in your chosen field.
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