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07 October,2023 | By Brainwonders
Exams are an important component of the learning process and have been found to be a valuable tool in assessing student progress.They test students' skills and aptitude and help them develop important traits like discipline, time management, hard work and patience. They are key factors when it comes to being accepted into universities or getting jobs, and India boasts some of the toughest exams in the world. These exams can range from descriptive tests to multiple-choice, but without careful planning and strategy, they can be extremely difficult. That's why this blog will provide an overview of the top 20 toughest exams in India across various disciplines that you need to know about. With this information, you can formulate a better plan on how to conquer these challenging tests.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Exam is one of the most prestigious examinations in India. This exam serves to recruit candidates for various administrative positions in the Central Government, such as those in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). The UPSC has created a rigorous three-tier exam process consisting of a Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and an Interview or Personality Test. Passing this examination requires serious dedication, hard work, and vast knowledge of the topics covered as part of the syllabus. Therefore, the UPSC Civil Services Exam can be considered one of the toughest exams in India.
| Conducted By | Union Public Service Commission |
| UPSC Prelims 2023 Exam Date |
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| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
| Exam Type | Post Graduate |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
The Union Public Service Commission's Preliminary Examination is one of the most challenging exams due to its rigorous selection process and comprehensive syllabus. Every year, the exam attracts applicants - more than 10 lakh candidates. The entire process includes multiple rounds of evaluation - the Prelims, Mains, and Interviews. Each stage tests the candidate's knowledge and aptitude to ensure that only the most qualified individuals are selected.
The Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) is the gateway into prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) for engineering students. With its complex content and high-stakes competition, the JEE has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the most difficult exams in India. The exam consists of two exhaustive stages: JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. Every year, many candidates apply to the challenge, but only a select few are chosen for admission.
| Conducted By | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| IIT JEE Mains 2023 Exam Date |
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| Official Website | jeemain.nta.nic.in. |
| Exam Type | Undergraduate |
| Eligibility | 75% aggregate marks in class 12 |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is renowned for its challenging and comprehensive syllabus, designed to assess the knowledge and proficiency of candidates in their chosen subjects. The exam is considered one of India's most difficult and prestigious entrance examinations, and its successful applicants are among the best and brightest in the country. Every year, over 6.35 lakh aspiring students sit for the examination, and only the top 2.50 lakh qualify for JEE Advanced.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) administers a multi-tier examination pathway to become a qualified Chartered Accountant. Those who complete the exams have access to an exciting career path with high pay potential.
The program involves three stages: Common Proficiency Test (CPT), Integrated Professional Competence Course (IPCC), and Final Examination. Each stage has unique challenges and requires extensive study and dedication to pass.
For more information on becoming a Chartered Accountant, please review our comprehensive blog post on the subject. Here, you will find detailed instructions, tips, and steps for producing the best possible outcome from your efforts.
| Conducted By | Institute of Chartered Accountants of India |
| CA CPT 2023 Exam Date | June 2023 |
| Official Website | icaiexam.icai.org |
| Exam Type | Under Graduate |
| Eligibility | 12th with a minimum of 60% |
| Exam Level | Foundation, Intermediate and Final |
Candidates seeking to become a Chartered Accountant (CA) must complete all three levels of the qualifying examination conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). These include the Common Proficiency Test (CPT), Integrated Professional Competence Course (IPCC) and CA Final Examination. Passing these exams requires extensive study, strategic planning and hard work to ensure success at each level.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a premedical entrance exam administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) every year to select eligible candidates for admission into MBBS, BDS and other medical courses at top universities in India. This test is a requirement for all 12th-class-passed candidates who wish to pursue a career in medicine. With the increasing difficulty of this exam, NEET has become one of the most challenging entrance examinations in India's higher education sector.
| Conducted By | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| NEET 2023 Exam Date | 7th May 2023 |
| Official Website | www.nta.ac.in |
| Exam Type | Under Graduate |
| Eligibility | 12th or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology. |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
The National Eligibility Entrance Test for Undergraduate students (NEET-UG) is one of India's most competitive examinations. In 2021, over 15 lakh candidates registered for the test, totalling over 17 lakh registrations across the board.
The curriculum for NEET-UG is vast and demanding, making it a challenging test to crack. However, with sufficient preparation and dedication, success is achievable. Candidates must begin preparing for the exam from their 12th grade onwards to stand any chance of success.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) conducts the AIIMS UG exam to select candidates for MBBS degrees at its seven campuses. Every year, AIIMS attracts many applicants eager to pursue medical studies at this renowned and highly sought-after institution. The exam is highly competitive due to the limited number of available seats (1205) and is designed with a higher difficulty level. As such, it is one of the most difficult examinations in India.
| Conducted By | All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi |
| AIIMS UG 2023 Exam Date | 26th June 2023 |
| Official Website | mbbs.aiimsexams.org |
| Exam Type | Under Graduate AND Post Graduate |
| Eligibility | All India Level |
| Exam Level | Computer-based Test |
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences UG Entrance Exam is highly competitive due to the large number of applicants and limited availability of seats. Each year, the difficulty level is increased to ensure that only the best and most equipped candidates pass the admissions cut-off. This ensures that those admitted to AIIMS UG possess the qualifications necessary for success in the course of study.
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an examination conducted by the Indian Institute of Science to facilitate admissions for postgraduate courses in engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). The GATE syllabus tests candidates on two parameters – General Aptitude and Technical and Engineering Mathematics. It is renowned as one of India's most difficult examinations, usually requiring a comprehensive understanding of concepts taught during four years of undergraduate studies. This online exam provides an assessment at a national level that you can use to gain admission into higher education.
| Conducted By | Indian Institute of Science |
| GATE 2023 Exam Date | February 4, 5, 11 and 12, 2023 (Announced) |
| Official Website | gate.iitkgp.ac.in |
| Exam Type | Post Graduate |
| Eligibility | Graduation in Science or Engineering |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
The exam evaluates an applicant's understanding of the topics taught in undergraduate engineering courses. GATE is known for its highly competitive nature, with many applicants vying for the limited spots available. For example, in 2021, more than 7 lakh candidates took the GATE exam, and only just over 1 lakh students passed.
The National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam is an important selection process supervised by the Services Selection Board (SSB). It is conducted twice annually to evaluate and select the best candidates for admission into the prestigious NDA academy.
The NDA exam pattern consists of a written test followed by the SSB interview. This includes a list of outdoor activities to assess the physical capabilities of the applicants. Passing all stages of the exam is mandatory for successful enrollment into the NDA.
| Conducted By | UPSC |
| NDA 2023 Exam Date | 16th April 2023 |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Exam Type | Under Graduate |
| Eligibility | All India Level |
| Exam Level | Offline |
The National Defence Academy entrance exam is incredibly challenging because it requires a comprehensive knowledge of its vast syllabus and physical and psychological aptitude. Candidates must demonstrate both intellectual proficiency and physical fitness to be considered for admission. For this reason, preparing adequately and comprehensively for the NDA exam is essential.
The Common-Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a prestigious entrance exam conducted annually for students seeking admission to LLB and LLM degree courses. While some law schools accept LSAT scores, others rely solely on CLAT rankings for admissions. To be eligible for the bachelor's program, candidates must have completed their 12th-class examinations, while a bachelor's degree is required for admission to the master's level. The CLAT presents one of the most challenging exams available in India due to its extensive and comprehensive coverage of subjects.
| Conducted By | National Law Universities |
| CLAT 2023 Exam Date | Not Yet Decided |
| Official Website | consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
| Exam Type | Undergraduate and Postgraduate |
| Eligibility |
UG: Class 12th with minimum 45% PG: 3-year LLB with minimum 50% |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is one of the most competitive exams for law in India. Thousands of candidates compete for a limited number of seats at the nation's top law colleges every year. Test-takers must demonstrate mastery of the exam's expansive curriculum to stand out from the competition and secure admission. Preparation requires dedication and hard work, but those who make an effort will have a strong chance of earning their place in the country's best educational institutions.
The UGC NET Exam is a national-level competition that evaluates candidates for the position of Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) at universities and colleges in India. As one of India's top ten most challenging assessments, it is conducted in 83 subject areas at 81 examination centres. Managed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) since 2018, this exam is usually taken by those currently enrolled in or have already completed a Master's degree program. This test is an excellent opportunity for aspiring educators and researchers to demonstrate their knowledge and develop the skills necessary to excel in higher education institutions and research facilities.
| Conducted By | National Testing Agency |
| UGC NET 2023 Exam Date | 21 February to 10 March 2023 |
| Official Website | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ |
| Exam Type | Post Graduate |
| Eligibility | Post Graduation with a minimum of 55% |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
Because of its challenging and competitive nature, the UGC NET exam is considered one of the toughest. This year over 6 lakh candidates have appeared for the exam, and only a few 40000 candidates could qualify.
The National Institute of Design (NID) Exam is a highly competitive design aptitude test conducted by the NID Admission Committee to select candidates for Bachelor of Design and Master of Design programs. The evaluation process consists of two levels – NID Prelims and NID Mains – through which applicants are carefully assessed and considered for admission to any NID campus across India. Being one of the toughest exams in the nation, it requires extensive dedication, rigorous preparation and thorough knowledge of the topics covered in both rounds. Those who succeed in this examination enter the world of design education and join the ranks of some of the country's top designers.
| Conducted By | National Institute of Design |
| NID 2023 Exam Date |
Prelims: 8 Jan, 2023 Mains: 20 Mar – 30 Apr 2023 |
| Official Website | https://admissions.nid.edu/ |
| Exam Type | Under Graduate and Post Graduate |
| Eligibility | 10+2 with minimum 50% |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
Ans. The NID exam is renowned for its difficulty and technicality, as competitors contend with a demanding general paper and a thoroughly subjective creative section. The latter's questions can be head-scratching, while the answers require considerable thought and effort to compose. As such, this exam provides intense competition and numerous obstacles to passing successfully.
Actuarial Science is a field of study that applies statistical, mathematical, and analytical skills to various commercial and business challenges. Aspiring actuaries must take the rigorous Actuarial Common Entrance Test (ACET) to be accepted into top IAI (Actuarial Institutes of India) institutes. Passing this exam is not easy, as it tests an individual's knowledge of mathematics, economics, finance, and probability theory. Those who do pass will have acquired in-depth knowledge and expertise to work as an actuary in banking, insurance, investments, government departments, and more.
| Conducted By | IAI (Institutes of Actuaries of India) |
| ACET 2023 Exam Date | Not Yet Decided |
| Official Website | https://actuariesindia.org/ |
| Exam Type | Undergraduate |
| Eligibility | 10+2 with English as one of the main subjects |
| Exam Level | Computer based |
Engineering Services Exam annually to recruit mechanical, civil, telecommunication and electronic engineers. This exam is highly sought-after by students who wish to pursue a career in engineering, as it provides ample employment opportunities. Every year, lakhs of applicants take the exam, hoping to join the ranks of successful candidates. The UPSC has strict guidelines and selection criteria to ensure that only the best and brightest engineers are selected for these positions. With proper preparation and guidance, any candidate has the potential to clear this exam and join the exciting world of engineering.
| Conducted By | Union Public Service Commission |
| IES Exam 2023 Date |
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| Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in/ |
| Exam Type | Graduate |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Engineering |
| Exam Level | All India Level |
XLRI Jamshedpur administers the XAT exam annually to students aspiring to pursue MBA/ PGDM programs at Xavier School of Management (formerly known as XLRI Institute). Over 90,000 candidates sit for the exam every year in order to gain entry into the esteemed institution. The entrance examination comprises questions testing abilities such as logical reasoning, verbal ability, decision-making, data interpretation, quantitative aptitude, and general knowledge. Individuals seeking admission must demonstrate proficiency in these areas to attain a successful score.
| Conducted By | XLRI Jamshedpur |
| XAT Exam 2023 Date | 8th Jan 2023 |
| Official Website | https://xatonline.in/ |
| Exam Type | Post Graduate |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree |
| Exam Level | Computer based |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is renowned as one of the toughest examinations in India. CDS, alongside the National Defense Academy examination, provides competitive applicants with an opportunity to serve the country's defence forces and safeguard India's land, sea and air borders. The exam is a rigorous undertaking and requires an extensive amount of preparation and focus to succeed. Successful candidates are recruited into Indian Naval Services, Officers Training Academy, Indian Air Force Academy and Indian Military Services.
| Conducted By | Union Public Service Commission |
| CDS Exam 2023 Date | Not Yet Decided |
| Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in/ |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree |
| Exam Level | Offline |
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Regional Rural Bank (IBPS RRB) Exam is a challenging exam for individuals who wish to pursue a career in banking. Those who wish to take the IBPS RRB Exam must be well-prepared and have the necessary knowledge, capabilities, and competencies. They should also ensure they understand the exam format and syllabus to maximise their chances of success.
| Conducted By | The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection |
| IBPS RRB Exam 2023 Date | Not Yet Decided |
| Official Website | https://www.ibps.in/ |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree |
| Exam Level | Computer based |
The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is a crucial annual exam conducted by the Government of India to evaluate candidates for selection into the Indian Air Force. This rigorous exam assesses candidates in various ways, determining their suitability for placement in one of the numerous branches of the Indian Air Force. The exam is typically held twice a year in February and August, making it an incredibly competitive process that requires top-level preparation. Passing this exam requires ample practice, discipline, and determination, but it also signals an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and rewarding profession.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) Exam to recruit Assistant Commandants for the Indian Armed Police Force. Eligible applicants who pass the CAPF Exam and complete their training will be qualified to serve as Assistant Commandants in India's Armed Police Force. Prospective candidates can find all the required information about the exam and its associated requirements on the official UPSC portal.
For those looking to enter the banking sector, appearing for a banking entrance exam is an important step. The Reserve Bank of India, or RBI, offers such exams, including those for the position of Assistant Clerk. However, due to the large volume of applications, cracking this exam can take a lot of work. Those serious about entering the banking industry should take the necessary steps and prepare diligently for the exam to maximise their chances of success.
If you are still confused about which career path would be most suitable for your child, then our Brain Wonders Counselling Team is here to help your child find the career path that fits your child's needs and interests. Our experienced professionals will provide you with an in-depth analysis of your child's skills, interests, and goals. With the help of our career counselling experts, you will have the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed decisions about your child's future.
Q.1 What is the structure of the UPSC main exam?
Ans Candidates must take a written exam and participate in an interview to be considered for the highest merit rating. The main test comprises nine papers, of which seven are selected as part of the final merit score. The lowest score is required on the remaining two papers. A total of 1750 points can be earned from the main exam, with the interview accounting for an additional 275 points. This competitive examination is widely recognized for its difficulty and high standards.
Q.2 What is the mode of CLAT exam 2023?
Ans. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2023 for undergraduate and postgraduate courses will be conducted offline, pen-and-paper.
Q.3 What is the updated JEE Main test date for 2022?
Ans: Session 1 of the JEE Main 2023 exam, will take place from January 24 to January 31, and session two will take place from April 6 to April 12, 2023.
Q.4 What does the CAT 2023 exam include?
Ans: Reading Comprehension and Verbal Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation, and Quantitative Abilities.
Q.5 When is the NEET-UGexam 2023?
Ans: May 7, 2023
Your Brainwonders result to will help you identify the right exams you need to be ready for!
