Top 9 toughest exam in India: Are you under the impression that examinations in India are merely a matter of marking the correct answers on answer sheets? Reconsider!
India is known for its highly competitive education system. Every year, millions of students appear for exams that test not just knowledge, but patience, perseverance, and mental strength. From engineering to civil services, some exams are particularly notorious for their difficulty, low success rates, and intense competition.
The tests range from cracking the code for entering an IIT to beating thousands for the coveted IAS post, some are school leavers with utmost limit, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Each year, a huge number of students are prepared with nightlongs, endless notes, and numerous mock tests just to have a chance at success. But which exams really differentiate the super-smart from the others?
In this article, we will discuss the top 9 toughest exams in India, focusing on the hardships, competitions, and the reason why passing them is nothing less than a legend.
Top 9 Toughest Exam In India:
1. UPSC Civil Services Exam (IAS, IPS, IFS)
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Considered the pinnacle of competitive exams in India.
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Requires comprehensive knowledge of history, polity, economy, and current affairs.
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Only a few hundred are selected from lakhs of candidates.
2. IIT-JEE (Joint Entrance Exam)
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Gateway to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
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Tests problem-solving and analytical skills in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
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Extremely low acceptance rate despite millions of aspirants.
3. NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)
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Entrance for medical courses like MBBS and BDS.
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Focuses on Physics, Chemistry, and Biology at a high difficulty level.
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High competition due to limited seats in government medical colleges.
4. CA (Chartered Accountancy) Exam
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Conducted by ICAI, considered one of the toughest professional exams.
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Tests accounting, taxation, auditing, and financial management.
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Pass rates are notoriously low, requiring months of preparation.
5. GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
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For postgraduate engineering admissions and PSU recruitment.
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Covers deep technical knowledge in various engineering disciplines.
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Extremely competitive with limited seats and high cut-offs.
6. CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)
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Entrance for top National Law Universities (NLUs).
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Tests English, legal reasoning, logical ability, and general knowledge.
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Tough due to highly competitive nature and limited seats.
7. SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission – Combined Graduate Level)
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For recruitment to top government offices in India.
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Multiple stages including Tier-I, Tier-II, Tier-III, and interviews.
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Requires strong reasoning, general awareness, and quantitative skills.
8. Indian Statistical Service (ISS) & Indian Economic Service (IES)
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Highly specialized exams for elite economic and statistical positions.
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Involves quantitative analysis, economics, and statistics.
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Extremely selective with very few successful candidates.
9. NDA (National Defence Academy) Exam
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Entry for Army, Navy, and Air Force through UPSC.
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Tests mathematics, general ability, physical fitness, and mental agility.
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Requires a combination of intellect, stamina, and discipline.
These exams aren’t just about tough questions, they’re a battle of brains, strategy, and stamina. Crack them, and doors to prestigious careers swing wide open. Fail? Well, at least you’ll have mastered stress, patience, and determination. Ready to see which exams separate the legends from the rest?
(With Inputs)
Aishwarya is a journalism graduate with over three years of experience thriving in the buzzing corporate media world. She’s got a knack for decoding business news, tracking the twists and turns of the stock market, covering the masala of the entertainment world, and sometimes her stories come with just the right sprinkle of political commentary. She has worked with several organizations, interned at ZEE and gained professional skills at TV9 and News24, And now is learning and writing at NewsX, she’s no stranger to the newsroom hustle. Her storytelling style is fast-paced, creative, and perfectly tailored to connect with both the platform and its audience. Moto: Approaching every story from the reader’s point of view, backing up her insights with solid facts.
Always bold with her opinions, she also never misses the chance to weave in expert voices, keeping things balanced and insightful. In short, Aishwarya brings a fresh, sharp, and fact-driven voice to every story she touches.
