In India, where the pursuit of education is highly valued and fiercely competitive, several examinations stand out as the ultimate tests of knowledge, skill, and perseverance. Year after year, these exams attract millions of aspirants vying for limited seats, often requiring months and even years of rigorous preparation. Here’s a rundown of the top 10 toughest exams in India for the year 2024:
In India, the toughest exams demand rigorous preparation and exceptional aptitude. The Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE) stands as a pinnacle, selecting candidates for prestigious administrative roles. Joint Entrance Examination – Advanced (JEE Advanced) is a gateway to the esteemed Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Other formidable exams include the Common Admission Test (CAT) for management programs, National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) for medical courses, and Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) for postgraduate engineering programs.
Regarded as India’s toughest exam, the UPSC Exam is fiercely competitive and rigorous. Comprising three stages – Prelims, Mains, and Interview – it selects candidates for esteemed positions like IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS. Annually, approximately 10-12 lakh aspirants apply, with 6-8 lakh appearing for the Prelims and only 15-17 thousand advancing to the Mains. Finally, a mere 1500-2000 candidates qualify for the intense interview round, reflecting its daunting nature in 2024.
UPSC IAS Exam of India which serves as a gateway to Indian Administrative Services, holds the title of the toughest exam in India followed by JEE Advanced, GATE, IIM CAT, and CLAT.
Here is the list of top-10 toughest exams in India by 2024:
| TOUGHEST EXAMS IN INDIA BY 2024 | ||
| Rank | Exams | Description |
| 1. | UPSC Civil Services Examination | Gateway to prestigious positions like IAS, IFS, and IPS. Conducted in three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. |
| 2. | IIT JEE | Common entrance exam for Indian Institutes of Technology. Divided into JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. |
| 3. | GATE | National-level exam for ME, MTech, and direct PhD admissions to IITs, NITs, and other institutes. Conducted once a year. |
| 4. | IIM CAT | MBA entrance exam for admission to Indian Institutes of Management. Assesses quantitative ability, data interpretation, verbal ability, and logical reasoning. |
| 5. | National Defence Academy (NDA) | National-level exam for recruitment into the prestigious defence academy. Candidates must clear class 12th and qualify for enrolment in the military. |
| 6. | Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) | Entrance exam for admission to National Law Universities. Tests proficiency in English, general knowledge, legal reasoning, and mathematics. |
| 7. | Chartered Accountant (CA) Exam | Conducted by ICAI, divided into CPT, IPCC, and CA Final Examination levels. Tests advanced financial reporting, strategic financial management, and other complex subjects. |
| 8. | UGC-NET | Challenging exam for aspiring teachers. Conducted by NTA, tests candidates’ eligibility for lectureship and research fellowship. |
| 9. | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) | Entrance exam for medical and dental colleges in India. Tests subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics. |
| 10. | National Institute of Design Entrance Exam (NID Entrance) | Highly competitive exam for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate design programs. Tests aptitude, creativity, innovation, design-thinking skills, problem-solving ability, and critical thinking in the context of design. |
Exam Level: National
Exam Frequency: Annually
Exam Mode: Offline
The UPSC Civil Services Examination stands as one of India’s toughest exams, granting access to prestigious roles like IAS, IFS, and IPS. With its three-stage format – Prelims, Mains, and Interview – and a vast syllabus, it challenges approximately 10-12 lakh candidates annually. Only a fraction succeed due to its rigorous demands and the necessity for comprehensive conceptual understanding.
Exam level: National
Exam Frequency: Twice a year
Exam mode: Online
The IIT JEE exam, ranked second among India’s toughest exams, is fiercely competitive. It serves as the gateway to the esteemed Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Divided into two parts, JEE Mains and JEE Advanced, it’s conducted by the National Testing Agency biannually. The exam rigorously tests candidates’ aptitude and knowledge, making it a significant challenge for aspirants.
Exam level: National
Exam frequency: Once a year
Exam mode: Online
GATE, the national-level examination for post-graduation in Engineering, is renowned as one of India’s toughest exams. It determines admissions to prestigious institutions like IITs, NITs, and IIITs for ME, MTech, and direct PhD programs. With an exceptionally high difficulty level, GATE requires a profound grasp of concepts and meticulous preparation to succeed.
UPSC IAS Exam of India which serves as a gateway to Indian Administrative Services, holds the title of the toughest exam in India.
Gaokao exam of China which has the duration of 2 days holds the title of the toughest exam in the world.
The IIT JEE exam, ranked second among India's toughest exams, is fiercely competitive. It serves as the gateway to the esteemed Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
The top-5 toughest exams in India are: UPSC CSE, IIT JEE, GATE, IIM CAT, and NDA.
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