Exams play a crucial role in our education system. They impart essential skills like discipline, time management, hard work, and perseverance. Additionally, exams help assess students’ capabilities. They serve as the primary criteria for university admissions and job applications, especially for studying abroad.
India has numerous competitive exams recognized for their rigorous patterns and high level of difficulty. These exams attract contenders from all over the country.
The format of exams varies; some are descriptive, while others are multiple-choice. However, without a well-structured study plan, passing these exams can be challenging and sometimes disheartening.Let’s take a look at the top ten most difficult exams in India, covering a wide range of subjects and disciplines.
1. UPSC Civil Services Exam
The UPSC Civil Services Exam is considered the most prestigious exam in India. Its purpose is to recruit candidates for top administrative positions within the Central Government of India. The exam covers various administrations such as IAS, IPS, and more. It is a three-tier exam that includes a preliminary exam, a main exam, and an interview or personality test. To succeed, candidates need to demonstrate a high level of seriousness, dedication, and hard work. The UPSC covers a wide range of subjects, making it one of the most challenging tests in the country.
2. IIT- JEE
The Joint Entrance Exam is a prestigious test in India. It selects students for various engineering programs at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
The exam consists of two parts: IIT-JEE Mains and IIT-JEE Advanced.Many students take the exams, but only a few are chosen to study at the IITs.
Due to its jumbled schedule and extreme competition, it is considered one of the most challenging tests in India!The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).To be eligible for the exam, candidates need 75% aggregate marks in class 12.
It is an undergraduate level exam and conducted at the All India Level.The IIT JEE’s difficulty arises from its extensive syllabus and application-based questions that test the candidate’s understanding of core subjects.
Every year, over 6.35 lakh candidates take the exam, but only the top 2.50 lakh advance to JEE Advanced.
3. Chartered Accountant (CA)
The multi-level tests for the CA course are directed by ICAI and are known to be extremely challenging exams. Qualifying for these tests can lead to a successful career with a lucrative salary, but achieving this goal demands a significant amount of hard work.
The CA exam consists of three phases: CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final.The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is responsible for conducting the exams.To be eligible for the CA exam, candidates must have completed 12th grade with a minimum of 60% marks.
The CA exam is classified as an undergraduate level examination.
CA aspirants have to face rigorous challenges at each level, making it one of the toughest exams in India.Becoming a CA requires passing all three levels, and each level demands extensive preparation and dedication from candidates.
4. NEET UG
The NEET test is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and is conducted to facilitate admission to medical schools in India. It is a highly competitive exam that selects candidates for MBBS, BDS, and other courses at leading medical institutions, excluding AIIMS, which conducts its own test for MBBS selection. This exam targets students who have successfully cleared their twelfth-grade examinations. With increasing competition, the NEET exam has gained a reputation as one of India’s most challenging assessments.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) manages the NEET exam, which serves as a gateway to medical schools in India. As an undergraduate level exam, it requires candidates to have completed their 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology as mandatory subjects. Moreover, it is a pan-India examination, meaning it is conducted at the national level, making it highly competitive.
NEET UG is considered one of the toughest and most fiercely contested exams in India. Its difficulty stems from the vast syllabus that students must cover, making it crucial for them to start their preparations during their 12th-grade studies if they aspire to pass the exam successfully.
5. AIIMS UG
AIIMS UG, conducted by the prestigious All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, selects candidates for MBBS degrees. Many aspiring medical students dream of joining AIIMS, resulting in a high number of yearly applications. This exam is renowned for its difficulty, mainly due to the limited number of available seats.
The exam is administered at the national level and is both for Under Graduate and Post Graduate programs. It follows a computer-based test format and can be taken all over India.
What makes AIIMS UG stand out as one of the most challenging exams in India? The sheer number of applicants far exceeds the available seats, making competition intense. Each year, the difficulty level of the questions is increased to ensure that only the most capable candidates secure admission.
6. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
The GATE exam’s purpose is to assist students in securing admission to IITs’ postgraduate engineering programs.This exam is conducted by the GATE Committee, consisting of faculty members from IISc and IITs.The GATE syllabus encompasses concepts taught during a four-year undergraduate degree.
It evaluates candidates through an online format, focusing on general aptitude and knowledge of technical and engineering mathematics.The exam is organized by the Indian Institute of Science.It is a post-graduate level examination.
Eligibility requires a graduation degree in Science or Engineering.GATE is a nationwide exam.Its reputation as one of the toughest exams in India stems from a large number of yearly applicants competing for limited seats.For instance, in 2021, around 7.11 lakh candidates applied for GATE, but only 1.26 lakh qualified.The exam also tests the candidates’ understanding of the B.Tech/B.E curriculum.
7. National Defence Academy (NDA)
The Services Selection Board (SSB) conducts the NDA exam, which aims to recruit candidates for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This prestigious defense academy selects the most qualified candidates through the exam held twice a year. The NDA exam pattern involves a written test and an SSB interview, which includes outdoor activities to assess on-the-ground performance skills. Passing all stages of the examination is essential for eligibility to the NDA.
The NDA exam is conducted by UPSC and falls under the Undergraduate category. It is an All India Level exam and is administered in an offline mode.
What makes the NDA one of the toughest exams in India? Well, candidates have to pass a written test with a broad syllabus, along with mental fitness and knowledge tests. Being physically fit is also crucial for final admission consideration.
8. Common-Law Admission Test (CLAT)
The Common-Law Admission Test (CLAT) is an entrance exam that grants admission to LLB and LLM programs.Law schools either accept the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) or rely on CLAT scores for admission.This exam takes place once a year and follows an offline format.To be eligible for a bachelor’s course, candidates must have completed their 12th-class examinations.For a master’s degree, a bachelor’s degree is required.The CLAT is known for its wide-ranging subjects, making it one of the most challenging tests in India.
The exam is conducted by the National Law Universities.It is an all-India level exam.The official website for CLAT is consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
It caters to both undergraduate and postgraduate aspirants.The eligibility criteria for the undergraduate course require a minimum of 45% in the 12th class.
For the postgraduate course, a minimum of 50% in a 3-year LLB program is necessary.CLAT is considered one of India’s toughest law school entrance exams.Its broad curriculum attracts a large number of candidates vying for admission to the top law schools.Due to the high competition, the exam becomes extremely challenging.
9. UGC NET
The UGC NET is a national-level examination aimed at screening candidates for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) positions at Indian universities and colleges. This exam is known to be one of the top ten most challenging exams in India and covers 83 subjects, with 81 centers spread across the country. It is primarily sought after by graduates who come under the authority of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the UGC NET examination, and all the relevant information can be found on their official website: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/. The eligibility criteria for this post-graduate level exam is a minimum of 55% in the candidate’s post-graduation.
The UGC NET is an All India Level examination, attracting a large number of students every year. The high number of applicants contributes to its reputation as one of the toughest exams in India.
10. National Institute of Design Entrance Exam
One of the most challenging exams in India is the NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT), which is held for B.Des and M.Des admissions at NID campuses and affiliated colleges.
The NID DAT is conducted in two phases: NID Prelims and NID Mains. These phases shortlist applicants for admission to Design Institutes across the country.The exam is administered by the National Institute of Design and caters to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels.To be eligible for the NID DAT, candidates must have completed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks.NID is known for its rigorous competition, tricky general paper questions, and subjective creative section.The creative part of the exam can be particularly challenging and time-consuming for candidates.
