Top 10 Toughest Exams in India 2024

The toughest exams in India are exams such as UPSC Civil Service Entrance Examination, National Defense Academy (NDA), Common Admission Test (CAT), Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) and more.

The toughest exams in India are tabulated below on the crucial parameter of selection rate, and these exams are framed to measure aptitude, mental stability, and technical skills. 

These exams are conducted either online or offline and the types of questions are either objective type or Descriptive type.

1. UPSC Civil Service Entrance Exam

The Union Public Service Commission administers the UPSC Civil Services Examination across the nation. In India, this is the toughest exam in India. The purpose of this exam is to recruit applicants for the Government of India's various Civil Services.

The esteemed Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS) are among these positions.

Eligibility Criteria: The candidate must be a graduate of a recognised university and a citizen of India, Nepal, or a subject of Bhutan.

Here is a quick overview of the UPSC exam:

Also Check: How to Crack UPSC? Essential Tips and Techniques

2. National Defense Academy (NDA)

The national-level NDA exam is used to select eligible applicants to become officers in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. There are two NDA exam dates held each year: April and September.

The candidates for NDA are picked based on a written examination, psychological aptitude test, intelligence test, personality test, and interview and is one of the top toughest exams in India. 

Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must be unmarried, fulfil physical and medical requirements, have passed the 10+2 or equivalent test, and be between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5.

Here is a quick overview of the NDA exam:

Also Check: NDA Selection Process

3. Common Admission Test (CAT)

The Common Admission Test, or CAT exam, is conducted by management institutes in India for applicants seeking admission to postgraduate management programs, including the Master of Business Administration (MBA). 

To ascertain a candidate's readiness for management education and employment in business and administration, the exam evaluates their quantitative aptitude, verbal ability, logical reasoning, and data interpretation skills.

CAT entrance scores are accepted in all IIMs and other similar institutes and universities that offer MBA programs.

Eligibility Criteria: The candidate must be having a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or educational institution with at least 50% of the possible points or an equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwD categories). 

The CAT exam has no maximum age limit for participation.

Also Check: How to Crack CAT Exam? Preparation Tips

4. Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)

CLAT Exam or Common Law Admission Test Is conducted to determine which candidates are eligible to be admitted to five-year programs, such as Bachelor of Arts (Integrated with Law), Bachelor of Law, or Master of Law (LLM).

16 National Law Universities accept the scores a candidate obtains from CLAT exams in India.

Eligibility Criteria: The applicant must have scored at least 45% (40% for SC/ST applicants) on their 10+2 or equivalent exam from a recognised board.

Get a quick overview of the CLAT exam through the table below:

Also Check: CLAT Important Topics Weightage 2024

5. University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) 

The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is a national-level hiring exam conducted to select Assistant Professors and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) candidates in Indian universities and colleges.

UGC NET-qualified candidates are permitted to teach at school and college levels in various Indian universities and colleges.

Eligibility Criteria: Candidate must have a master's degree or its equivalent with at least 55% of the possible points (or 50% for candidates who identify as SC, ST, PWD, or transgender) and less than thirty years of age for a junior research fellowship. Age is not a barrier to assistant professorships.

Find below the key highlights of UGC-NET:

Also Check: How to Crack UGC NET Exam?

6. National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET)

The NEET Exam is a single medical entrance exam administered at the national level for admission to undergraduate medical programs. Simplifying the MBBS and BDS admissions procedure is the primary goal of the NEET exam and it is one of the top toughest exams in India.

After clearing the NEET Exam, students are admitted to MBBS and BDS courses in government or private medical colleges across India.

Eligibility Criteria: The applicant must be at least 17 years old by December 31 of the year they are applying and must have scored 50% overall grade in class 12 Maths, physics, chemistry, biology/biotechnology, and English.

Let us take a look at the main highlights of NEET:

Also Check: How to Crack NEET Exam 2024?

7. National Institute of Design Entrance Examination

The National Institute of Design Entrance Examination, or the NID Design Aptitude Test, is a design assessment test focusing on aptitude. It is intended to check students' creativity levels in design.

Moreover, the paper consists of tricky questions and the creative section involves highly subjective questions that are time-consuming and one the toughest exams in India.

Eligibility Criteria: The candidate should have a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from any recognised University or Institute across India

NID entrance is conducted to offer design course admissions to the following:

Also Check: NID Fee Structure & Courses List

8. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)

The GATE Exam or Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering exam is conducted to admit students into Master's and Doctoral courses in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, and Science. 

The GATE score, once obtained, is valid for up to 3 years, starting from the announcement date. It's also accepted by selected government PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings).

Eligibility Criteria: Any undergraduate (UG) student enrolled in the third year or above of a government-approved degree program in engineering, technology, architecture, arts, commerce, or science is eligible to take the GATE exam.

Check out the table below for some quick insights on GATE:

Also Check: GATE Online Coaching 2024

9. IIT JEE Entrance Examination

IIT-JEE is an engineering entrance exam that allows students to gain admission into the top engineering institutes in India. Students seeking admissions at centrally-funded technical institutions are shortlisted based on two core levels of IIT-JEE: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. 

Eligibility Criteria: Candidates in the general category need to receive at least 75% of the in their class 12th exam. The minimum aggregate criteria for candidates who belong to SC/ST is 65%.

The table below presents the key highlights of IIT JEE:

Also Check: Important Topics for JEE Main and Advanced 2024

10. Chartered Accountant Exams (CA)

The Chartered Accountant Exam is undoubtedly one of the toughest exams in India. The content and format of the ICAI CA exam are intended to instruct students in handling accounting, taxation, and legal paperwork. 

Those who wish to become chartered accountants must pass all three of these levels (CPT, IPCC, and CA Final Examination). After receiving their CA certification, candidates can also start their own auditing business and begin providing audit services to clients.

Eligibility Criteria: The applicant must have scored at least 60% (55% for SC/ST applicants) on their 10+2 or equivalent exam from a recognised board.

The table below summarises the essential information related to the CA exam:

Also Check: How to Prepare for CA Foundation?