Top 10 Toughest Exams in India To Crack in 2024

It is true that thousands of exams are conducted in India every year, catering to a wide range of academic, professional, and competitive fields. While many exams are relatively easier to crack, there are a few that are renowned for their difficulty and high level of competition. 

The toughest exams in India are carefully designed to evaluate various aspects such as aptitude, mental stability, technical skills, physical fitness, and other relevant attributes. These exams can be conducted in different formats, including online, pen-and-paper, or in setups that require specific skill sets to be demonstrated.  

Top 10 toughest exams: overview

Top Toughest Exam For College in 2024

1) IIT JEE- Joint Entrance Exam 

The IIT-JEE is an engineering entrance exam conducted in India. The exam is a gateway for admission into the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), which are among the top engineering institutes in the Country.

The competition for IIT-JEE is intense, with a large number of candidates competing for a limited number of seats in the IITs, over 11 lakh candidates take the JEE Main exam every year and only the top 2.50 lakh make it to the JEE Advanced. The exam attracts the best students from across the country, making it highly competitive.

Key Highlights for IIT-JEE Advanced

Several factors contribute to the reputation of IIT-JEE Advanced as a difficult exam:

• The syllabus for JEE Advanced is extensive, covering a wide range of topics in physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
• The exam includes questions that require critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to analyse and apply concepts in real-world scenarios.
• The competition for JEE Advanced is incredibly high, with a large number of aspirants vying for a limited number of seats in prestigious institutes.

2) GATE- Gratitude Aptitude Test in engineering 

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a highly competitive exam in India that serves as a benchmark for assessing the knowledge and understanding of engineering graduates.

GATE scores are used for admission to postgraduate programs in engineering, technology, architecture, and science disciplines in various institutions across India. Additionally, GATE scores are also considered by several public sector undertakings (PSUs) for recruitment purposes.

Key Highlights for GATE

Reasons contributing to the GATE exam’s reputation as a difficult exam:

• GATE attracts a substantial number of candidates every year, around 5 lakh candidates appeared for the GATE exam.
• The number of seats available for admission to postgraduate engineering programs is relatively limited compared to the number of candidates appearing for GATE.
• GATE tests the candidates’ knowledge in their respective B.E./B.Tech. syllabus, covering a wide range of subjects and topics.

3) NEET- National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test

NEET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam is accepted by various medical and dental colleges across India as the primary criterion for admission of students.

NEET is indeed the toughest entrance exam filled by a large number of candidates, conducted in India for admission to medical courses in government and private colleges throughout the country. In total, over 20 lakh individuals registered for NEET-UG 2023, with over 17 lakh candidates registering for the 2022 exam.

Key Highlights for NEET

Reasons that make NEET one of the toughest exams to crack:

• The competition is incredibly high as thousands of students vie for a limited number of seats in medical and dental colleges.
• NEET is a three-hour examination, and candidates must answer 180 questions within the given time limit.
• Candidates have limited attempts to clear NEET, as there are restrictions on the maximum number of times one can appear for the exam.

4) CAT- Common Admission Test

The CAT  is a highly competitive entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in India. It is primarily taken by students seeking admission to various postgraduate management courses, such as the MBA (Master of Business Administration), offered by prestigious business schools in India.

Over 2 lakh candidates apply for the CAT exam every year. The CAT exam pattern undergoes revisions periodically, introducing new question types and formats. Staying updated with the latest changes and adapting one’s preparation strategies accordingly can be a challenge for aspirants. 

Also check the Top Hotel Management Entrance Exams in India 2023-24!

Key Highlights for CAT

Why is the CAT considered to be one of the toughest exams to crack?

• The CAT exam follows a marking scheme that includes negative markings for incorrect answers. 
• CAT is a computer-based exam with a time limit for each section. Candidates must answer a large number of questions within the allocated time, which puts pressure on managing time effectively and solving questions accurately.
• Shortlisted candidates are often required to go through group discussions and personal interviews as part of the selection process. 

5) CLAT- Common Law Admission Test

CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a National Level Entrance Exam for candidates seeking admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs offered by the National Law Universities (NLUs) in India.

With only 16 NLUs accepting CLAT scores, the competition for securing a seat is quite intense, approximately 60,000 students appear for the CLAT exam each year. Out of these, only a small fraction, around 5% or 3,000 candidates, are able to secure admission to the NLUs. The limited availability of seats and the large number of aspirants contribute to the difficulty level of the CLAT exam. 

Key Highlights for CLAT

Several factors contribute to the reputation of CLAT as a difficult exam:

• The CLAT exam has a time limit, and candidates must answer a significant number of questions within that time frame. 
• The exam often presents candidates with complex and intricate questions that require critical thinking and analytical skills. 
• The CLAT exam attracts a large number of aspirants from across the country, all vying for a limited number of seats in the prestigious National Law Universities.

Click here to check the Most Trending Law Courses After 12th in 2023-24!

Top Toughest Exam For Jobs in 2024

1) UPSC- Union Public Service Commission 

It is said that UPSC is the toughest exam conducted in India, UPSC conducts the Civil Services Examination to recruit candidates for prestigious positions such as Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central government administrative roles.

Around 10 lakh students fill out the application form out of that 8 lakh sit for the preliminary exam, and the qualifying percentage is below 1%. 

Key Highlights for UPSC

Why is the UPSC considered to be one of the toughest exams to crack?

• The passing rate of UPSC is about 0.3% – 0.5%.
• The syllabus is huge and covers major subjects like history, geography, economics, environment, ecology, science & technology.
• Over 8 lakh candidates appear for the civil service exam every year.

2) SSC-CGL- Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level

The SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level) exam is a highly competitive examination in India for various Group B and Group C posts in government departments and ministries. On average, the number of applicants for the SSC CGL exam ranges from 25 to 30 lakh (2.5 to 3 million) candidates. 

The exam consists of multiple stages, including Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4. Due to the wide range of job opportunities and the appeal of a government job, the competition for the SSC CGL exam remains fierce.

Key Highlights for SSC CGL

Why SSC-CGL is considered to be the toughest exam in India?

• The SSC CGL exam is conducted in multiple tiers or stages. Tier 1 and Tier 2 are computer-based objective exams, while Tier 3 is a descriptive exam, and Tier 4 comprises skill tests or document verification.
• Time management is crucial in the SSC CGL exam as candidates need to answer a large number of questions within a limited time frame.
• The SSC CGL exam has a negative marking system where marks are deducted for incorrect answers.

3) UGC-NET- University Grant Commission Nationality Test

The UGC-NET is a National-level Entrance Exam in India to determine the eligibility of candidates for the role of Assistant Professor and for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). The number of candidates ranges from 8 to 10 lakh every year. 

The exam is conducted in various subjects, and the competition remains high due to the opportunities for academic and research careers. 

Key Highlights for UGC-NET

Here are some key points that make UGC-NET one of the toughest exams to crack:

• The UGC NET exam attracts a large number of candidates from across the country, all vying for a limited number of positions.
• The UGC NET exam covers a vast and diverse syllabus. The syllabus is extensive, and candidates are required to have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of their chosen subject.
• The UGC NET exam has a qualifying cut-off criteria that candidates need to meet to pass the exam.  Due to the high competition and the complexity of the exam, the cut-off marks can be quite high, making it challenging to secure a qualifying score.

4) CA- Chartered  Accountant

The CA (Chartered Accountancy) exam, conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), is a highly respected professional examination. Each year, a substantial number of candidates appear for the CA exam, averaging around 100,000 to 150,000 applicants. 

The exam comprises multiple levels, including Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. Given the promising career opportunities and prestigious status associated with becoming a Chartered Accountant, the CA exam garners a significant interest from individuals aspiring to excel in the fields of finance and accounting.

Key Highlights for CA

Several factors contribute to the reputation of CA as a difficult exam:

• The CA qualification consists of multiple levels and stages that candidates need to clear. The three levels are Foundation, Intermediate, and Final.
• The CA exams require a strong grasp of technical concepts and principles. Candidates need to understand complex accounting standards, taxation laws, auditing procedures, and financial reporting requirements.
• Along with clearing the exams, CA candidates are required to complete a practical training period, known as Articleship.

5) NDA- National Defence Academy

National Defence Academy is one of the prestigious exams for those who want to serve in the army and other defence forces of the country. The exam consists of a written test followed by an interview and physical fitness tests. Every year around 3-4 lakh candidates appear for the exam; few of them make it to the SSB rounds.

Due to the allure of a career in the defence forces and the opportunity to serve the nation, the NDA exam attracts a significant number of enthusiastic individuals seeking a path in the armed forces.

Key Highlights for NDA

Reasons that make NDA one of the toughest exams to crack:

• The NDA exam follows a rigorous selection process that consists of a written examination, followed by an extensive interview process and a medical examination. 
• In addition to the written examination and SSB interview, candidates need to meet certain physical fitness standards. They are required to undergo physical fitness tests, including running, push-ups, sit-ups, and other physical activities.
• The NDA exam attracts a large number of aspirants from all over the country who are vying for a limited number of seats. The competition is intense, as only a small percentage of candidates are selected.

Comment down below if you have any doubts related to any entrance exam and our team will resolve your queries with the best solution ASAP.

Toughest Exam In India 2024 FAQs-