India, a land of vibrant history, culture, and tradition, is also home to some of the toughest exams in the world. These exams act as gateways to highly sought-after educational institutions, prestigious careers, and positions of immense responsibility.
When it comes to being the toughest exam in India, there will be debate between UPSE, JEE, GATE and CAT. Each of these exams is essential to properly assess a candidate’s language skills, quantitative skills, knowledge and future skill. Despite its challenges, all these exam s have their rewards. These are also considered as some of the toughest exams in world. Let’s discuss about these exams in detail.
Exploring 5 Toughest Exam in India
Despite Indian having so many exams and tests, there are a few that make the cut into 5 toughest exams. Keep reading to know about them.
UPSC Civil Service Examination (UPSE CSE)
UPSC CSE is undoubtedly one of the toughest exams in India. According to many, it is also one of the five toughest exams in the world. This exam is a gateway to various higher positions like the IPS (Indian Police Service), IFS (Indian Foreign Service), and IAS (Indian Administrative Service). The exam is conducted at three different levels: Prelims (Preliminary), Mains, and Interview Round. It is the most toughest exam in India.
Around 10-12 lakh candidates apply for UPSC CSE every year, and this number is going up each year. It has a selection rate between 0.1% and 0.2%. Its vast and in-depth syllabus is focused on current events and more. One needs to have a deep conceptual understanding to pass this exam. UPSC CSE exam has an effective combination of MCQ (multiple-choice questions) papers, descriptive main papers, and personality tests through interviews. All these aspects make this exam so tough to crack.
| Exam | Details |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Annually |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Purpose | Recruitment officers for various civil service sectors in Indian Government (IPS, IAS, and IFS) |
IIT- JEE
Indian Institute of Technology- Joint Entrance Examination also comes under the list of the toughest exam in India. Passing this prestigious exam gives students a valuable opportunity to get entry into the best engineering colleges in India. NTA (Natural Testing Agency) conducts this exam on two levels, namely JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
NTA conducts JEE Mains twice a year. This exam is the gateway to admission to IITs, NITs, and other government engineering institutes. The JEE Advanced gives you entry to IITs, IISs, and RGIPT. JEE exams consist of math, physics, and chemistry, which make the job tough for the students. The passing students qualify for Siemens and other notable scholarships, which offer them necessary financial aid and support.
| Exam | Details |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Twice in a Year |
| Exam Mode | Online- Computer-Based |
| Purpose | Admissions in top colleges in India |
GATE
GATE or Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is arguably the toughest exam in India. To crack this game, one needs to have deep and comprehensive understanding of the undergraduate subjects in sciences and engineering to get admission into various postgraduate programs.
The GATE committee conducts this exam in eight different regions. The committee comprises members of IISc, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, the Department of Higher Education, and the National Coordinating Board. The GATE exam is crucial for recruitment by various PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) like Hindustan Petroleum, GAIL, and Indian Oil. This exam, as MCQs, has numerical answer types with segments on General Aptitude, making it the toughest exam in India.
| Exam | Details |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Annually |
| Exam Mode | Online- Computer-Based |
| Purpose | Admissions in top colleges for higher studies |
IIM CAT
IIM CAT stands for Indian Institute of Management Common Admission Test. This exam is arguably called the toughest exam in India. This national-level exam is an excellent opportunity for participants to get admission to various management programs in prestigious IIMs.
This three-hour exam consists of questions on quantitative ability, logical reasoning, data interpretation, reading comprehension, and verbal ability. The eligibility criteria for this exam are 50% marks in a Bachelor’s degree for general category students and 45% for reserved category applicants. Strong competition and limited seats make this exam one of the most challenging to crack.
| Exam | Details |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Annually |
| Exam Mode | Online- Computer-Based |
| Purpose | Admissions in top colleges for higher studies in management programs |
NDA (National Defence Academy)
NDA is another name falls under the list of the toughest exam in India. UPSC conducts this exam twice a year. This exam allows participants to join the Navy, Army, and Air Force wings. This exam tests your knowledge of mathematics, GK, and English. Their question pattern is difficult and comprehensive, requiring deep knowledge and understanding.
The mathematics segment has 300 marks, and general ability segment has 600 marks. This exam also allows women to join NDA after passing this exam. In the year 2021, the Supreme Court of Indian enabled this for the women. The intense competition to get into NDA makes lakhs of participants apply for this exam, making as one of the toughest exams in India.
| Exam | Details |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Purpose | To join the Army, Air Force, and Navy wings |
CA (Chartered Accountant)
The Chartered Accountant exam is also considered the toughest exam in India for definite reasons. ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) conducts this exam, which has three different levels: CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final.
To become a professional CA, candidates are required to clear all three levels of the exam to become registered members of ICAI. The CA Foundation exam consists of four papers, and you must have a minimum of 50% marks in class 12 to qualify. This exam is held twice a year and has descriptive questions and MCQs. The participants are supposed to have a deep and comprehensive understanding of their subjects.
| Exam | Details |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Purpose | To become registered Chartered Accountants |
NEET
NEET stands for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is another toughest exam in India. Participants who wish to study in medical and paramedical field are required to appear for this exam. This 200-minute exam has 200 questions in Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology, with 720 total marks. The minimum age limit is 17 years, and there is no upper age limit.
NEET has replaced several medical entrance exams like AIPMT (All India Pre-Medical Test). With rising cut-off marks and intense competition, this is one of the toughest exams in India for the right reasons. Passing this exam lets participants gain admission to various undergraduate courses like AYUSH, BDS, MBBS, etc.
| Exam | Details |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Annually |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Purpose | Admissions to various medical undergraduate programs |
What Factors Make These Exams the Toughest in India?
There are various reasons that make these exams the toughest in India and the world. A few of such factors are described below.
Cutthroat Competition
India has a population of 1.5 billion, so it’s obvious that a few million students take these exams every year. This high competition and limited number of seats make these exams the most challenging to crack.
Extensive Syllabus
The depth and breadth of the syllabus of these exams encompass different subjects and topics. This huge syllabus makes these exams quite competitive and tough to crack.
Pressure and Time Management
These exams involve timed segments which require you to manage your time exceptionally well. One needs to perform under pressure too.
Uncertainty
The unpredictable questions and exam patterns add to the difficulty and anxiety of these exams.
Conclusion
Cracking these exams is not a cakewalk. One needs years of preparation to even pass them, let alone get a good rank. The participants are required to have exceptional determination, devotion, and focus.
Putting long hours in study without fail, at least for a year or two, is a must to pass these exams. Each of these exams is considered as the toughest exam in India in its own right. So you should not take these exams lightly.
FAQs
What Exams Come Under the Top 5 Toughest Exam in India?
There are many exams in India. But among these, the five toughest exams in India are UPSC, CSE, GATE, JEE, and CAT. Passing these exams requires years of focused hard work, dedication, and devotion. The extensive syllabus, limited seats, and high competition make these exams tough to crack.
Which is the Toughest Exam in India?
Among all the exams out there, UPSC CSE is India’s toughest exam as far as its success rate is concerned. With a success rate of 0.1%- 0.2% %, this is the most competitive exam in India and the world.
What is the Toughest Exam in India in Engineering?
JEE exam is considered the world’s toughest exam in the engineering sector. JEE has two exams, namely JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. Passing these exams gives you a chance to get admission to prestigious IITs and NITs.
What is the World Hardest Exam in Management Studies?
IIM CAT (Indian Institute of Management Common Admission Test) is the toughest exam in India in management studies. It also comes under top 5 toughest exam in the world for its competitiveness, success rate, and limited seats. To pass this exam, one needs years of knowledge and preparation.
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