India is renowned for having an extremely competitive school system. An exam is an essential part of being a student. All of you have taken tests at some point throughout your time as students and beyond, regardless of whether you are finishing off your high school education, trying to graduate, or intending to continue postgraduate courses. In order to be considered for jobs that receive a large number of applications, candidates must appear for numerous rounds of selection (written exam, interview, or both) in both the public and private sectors. Exams will, therefore, be necessary for everyone, whether they are students hoping to graduate or recent graduates looking for employment.
1. IIT JEE Advanced
One of the hardest tests in India is the IIT JEE Advanced. The national IIT JEE Advanced exam is the single entrance exam for undergraduate programs leading to a bachelor’s degree, integrated master’s degree, or bachelor-master dual degree in engineering, science, or architecture. Applicants need to understand that getting into an IIT as an undergraduate involves a multi-tiered admissions process that entails passing both the JEE Mains and JEE Advanced exams. The selection rate is 25 – 30%.
2. GATE
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, also known as GATE, is a national online exam that is administered for admission to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and other Indian institutes and universities for Master of Technology (MTech), Master of Engineering (ME), and direct PhD programs. Public sector companies often use GATE for recruitment objectives. Once more, GATE is regarded as one of the hardest tests in both India and the entire globe. Their selection rate is 17%.
3. UPSC Civil Services Exam
For those wishing to work in administrative positions for the Indian government, the Civil Services Examination, also known as the IAS exam, is the hardest test in the nation. To recruit candidates for the Indian Police Services (IPS), Indian Administrative Services (IAS), and Central Civil Services, UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) administers the Civil Services Exam, a national-level exam that is held in three stages: preliminary, main, and also interview. Their selection rate is 0.1 to 0.3%.
4. NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)
The National Testing Agency administers the NEET exam, which is regarded as the most difficult examination in the medical sector, annually. Its goal is to grant admission to several undergraduate programs, such as AYUSH, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), veterinary programs, Bachelor of Medicine, and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). The exam has 720 total points and includes questions from the fields of chemistry, botany, physics, and zoology. But you must be at least 17 years old to qualify. Their selection rate is 6.5 – 7%.
5. ICAI CA Exams
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) administers the ICAI test, commonly referred to as the CA exam, to candidates seeking admission to the chartered accountancy profession within India. According to the University Grants Commission (UGC), a postgraduate degree is comparable to a CA certificate. According to the CA courses, there are three exam levels. Those who wish to become chartered accountants must pass every level of the program. Their selection rate is 25%.
6. Indian Institutes of Management Common Admission Test (IIM CAT)
For graduates hoping to continue their education at Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the CAT is a demanding exam. It evaluates candidates’ comprehension of logical reasoning, numeric skills, data interpretation, and verbal ability. Their selection rate is 2%.
7. CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)
The Consortium of National Law Universities administers the CLAT exam every year to determine who gets admitted to 24 national law universities in India’s undergraduate and graduate law programs. There are 150 questions in five categories of the exam—Logical Reasoning, English, Legal Aptitude, General Knowledge, and Math—and it is administered offline. Candidates who meet the requirements can work in public services, higher education, the legal field, or the judiciary. Candidates cannot be older than a certain age, but there must be a minimum cut-off point. Their selection rate is about 3% .
8. UGC-NET
The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) is administered for postgraduate students hoping to work as assistant professors or junior research fellows. The exam is extremely specialized and measures candidates’ knowledge in their subjects. Due to the limited number of candidates and the high degree of knowledge needed, the test is among the hardest in India. Their selection rate is approximately 9%.
9. CFA
One of the most sought-after titles for investment professionals worldwide is CFA or chartered financial analyst. The CFA course is thought to be the most prestigious and well-known accreditation in finance and investment management worldwide. The CFA Institute requires candidates to pass three-course levels to be designated charter holders.
10. NDA (National Defence Academy)
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) administers the NDA exam, which is the most difficult exam in India for those pursuing careers in defence. Those who pass this test can enlist in the NDA’s Navy, Army, and Air Force wings. The exam, which comprises a written exam plus an interview with the Service Selection Board (SSB), is conducted twice a year.
Exam questions comprising the general ability and mathematics sections—which encompass general awareness and English—are included in the template. There are 600 questions in the general ability exam syllabus, and there are 300 marks in the mathematics section. The Supreme Court decided in 2021 that women could apply for the NDA exam. Their selection rate is 0.1%.
Conclusion
The top ten most difficult exams in India offer enormous obstacles to aspirants. These tests assess not just knowledge but also aptitude, technical proficiency, and mental stability. It takes commitment, effort, and hard work to pass these tests. Nonetheless, passing these tests and securing a bright future pave the path to fulfilling employment prospects.
FAQs
Q: What is the toughest exam in India in 2024?
Ans: Strictly competitive and demanding, the UPSC Exam is regarded as the hardest exam in India. It is a three-stage process that chooses candidates for prestigious jobs such as IPS, IRS, IAS, and IFS. The three phases are prelims, Mains, and Interviews.
Q: Which exam is the hardest in the world?
Ans: The world’s toughest exam is the two-day Gaokao exam in China.
Q: How many times may one take the JEE exam?
Ans: Candidates may sit for the JEE exam two times in a row after they finish the 12th exam.
