
Top 5 Toughest Exams in India
India’s education system is known for being highly competitive, where exams play a crucial role in deciding a candidate’s future. These tests evaluate skills in areas like aptitude, quantitative ability, and language proficiency. The toughest exam in India makes students work harder day and night for their dream position. Check out our list of the Top 5 Toughest Exams in India to see just how much dedication and hard work are needed to succeed.
India’s Most Toughest Exams: The Top 5 List
List of Top 5 Toughest Exams in India
Here is the list of the top challenging exams in India that are taken upon by aspiring students to get a secure job in the long run.
1. UPSC CSE (UPSC Civil Services Examination)

The UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) is one of the toughest exams in India. It is the entry point for high-ranking jobs like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS). The exam has three stages: Prelims, Mains, and an Interview. Each year, around 10-12 lakh candidates apply for this exam, but only a few thousand succeed. Its broad syllabus and the need for deep understanding make it particularly challenging.
2. IIT – JEE (Indian Institute of Technology – Joint Entrance Examination)

JEE stands for Joint Entrance Examination. JEE Advanced is the national-level toughest exam in India which is taken to get admission to IITs and IISc for B.E./B.Tech programs. To take JEE Advanced, candidates must first pass the JEE Main exam and meet the JEE Main cutoff. Only the top 2.5 lakh scorers from JEE Main are eligible for JEE Advanced. The exam covers challenging topics in physics, chemistry, and math. This exam is a major hindrance for aspiring engineers.
Success in JEE also opens the door to scholarships that offer financial aid for engineering studies. The JEE Advanced exam is organized on a rotating basis by the IITs and IISc, so the number of questions and the marking scheme can vary from year to year.
3. GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is one of the toughest exams in India. It assesses knowledge of undergraduate engineering and science subjects for admission to postgraduate programs. The exam is organized by a committee from eight areas, including the National Coordinating Board, the Department of Higher Education, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, and IISc.
GATE is also crucial for recruitment by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like Indian Oil, GAIL, and Hindustan Petroleum. The exam features multiple-choice, multiple-select, and numerical answer questions that cover general aptitude and the candidate’s selected area of study.
4. IIM CAT (Indian Institutes of Management Common Admission Test)

The Indian Institutes of Management Common Admission Test (IIM CAT) is one of the toughest exam in India. This national-level examination is a critical way to prestigious management programs which includes MBA courses. The three-hour exam includes sections on verbal ability and reading comprehension, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and quantitative ability. To be eligible, candidates need at least 50% of their Bachelor’s degree. With limited seats and intense competition, CAT remains one of the most competitive exams in India.
5. NDA (National Defence Academy)

The National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy Examination, are held twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It is one of the toughest exams in India. It is essential for those looking to join the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA. The exam evaluates your skills in writing, English, general knowledge, and mathematics through a tough question paper pattern which includes a general ability test and a mathematics paper, with 600 marks for general ability and 300 for mathematics.
It is recognized for its high level of competition. The NDA exam now also welcomes female candidates which is a change directed by the Supreme Court in 2021. Its inclusion on the list of India’s toughest exams highlights the significant challenges and intense competition faced by candidates.
Conclusion
In summary, opting for the toughest exams in India demands outstanding focus and determination. Whether it’s UPSC CSE or the challenging NDA Entrance, each exam on this list denotes a powerful educational burden. Candidates who strive to pass these tough tests require not only their study skills but also their strength, which solidifies their place among India’s most challenging exams.
Also read: India’s Leading IIT Colleges for 2024: A Comprehensive List