Top 10 Toughest Exams in India: 2025-26

India is known for having some of the most challenging exams in the world. But do you know which are the top 10 toughest exams in India? It’s always been up for debate whether it’s UPSC CSE or JEE, or CLAT. Lakhs of candidates prepare each year for these exams, making it difficult to even come close to the top 90th percentile of performers.

The toughest exams in India are known for their rigorous selection process, limited seats, vast syllabus, and tough competition among students. In this blog, we will look at the Top 10 Toughest exams in India and understand what makes them so challenging.

List of Top 10 Toughest Exams in India (2025)

India’s toughest exams are known for their intense competition and are vital in shaping a candidate’s future. These competitive exams assess various skills, including aptitude, quantitative ability, and language proficiency. Interestingly, some of these exams are among the world’s top 10 toughest.

The purpose of each toughest exam in India varies, targeting different career paths and fields of study. Here is a list of the top 10 toughest exams in India:

1. UPSC Civil Services Exam
2. IIT- JEE
3. Chartered Accountant (CA) Exam
4. IIM- CAT ( Common Admission Test )
5. NEET UG
6. AIIMS UG
7. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
8. National Defence Academy (NDA)
9. Common-Law Admission Test (CLAT)
10. UGC NET
11. National Institute of Design Entrance Exam

Also Read: UPSC Previous Year Question Papers

Overview of Top Competitive Exams in India

Success in the toughest exams in India requires strategic planning, disciplined study, and consistent practice. Students can improve their chances by following a structured schedule, practising with mock exams, and understanding the exam pattern thoroughly. To help you get started, here’s a concise overview of the top competitive exams in India:

UPSC CSE (UPSC Civil Services Examination)

UPSC CSE is India’s toughest exam for recruitment into civil services like IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and similar roles. To be eligible, you must have a recognised university graduation. The exam has three stages: preliminary, main written, and personality tests. Prelims have two multiple-choice papers, and mains have nine descriptive papers.

Merit is based on the main and personality test scores, testing consistency and problem-solving skills, emphasising current events and book knowledge. Despite many applicants, the selection rate is under 1%.

Candidates appeared	10 lakh (approx.)
Selection rate	0.1 to 0.3%
Eligibility	Graduated from a recognised university
Duration of exam	Prelims – 2 hours each for both papers Mains – 3 hours each for 9 papers
Selection Stage	Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, Personality Test (Interview)
Competition	Around 10-12 lakh candidates apply every year, but only about 700-1,000 are finally selected.
Purpose of exam	Recruitment for the posts of IAS, IPS, IFS, and central services as per the rules of the Department of Personnel & Training

IIT – JEE (Joint Entrance Examination)

The JEE exam is conducted annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and attracts a large number of students. It is divided into two papers: Paper 1 for B.E./B. Tech and Paper 2 for B.Arch/B.Planning courses. There are two levels of the exam – JEE Main for NITs, IITs, and other government institutes, and JEE Advanced for IITs, IISc, and RGIPT, with questions from physics, chemistry, and math.

The number of JEE Advanced questions varies each year, making it one of India’s most challenging exams. It fosters intense competition among candidates for top rankings and IIT admissions.

Candidates appeared	6 lakh approx.
Selection rate	25 – 30%
Eligibility	Students must clear the JEE Main and rank among the top candidates
Duration of exam	3 hours
Selection Stages	JEE Mains- JEE Advanced
Difficulty Level	Highly analytical and conceptual, covering Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
Purpose of exam	to get admission to engineering colleges

Also Read: Top Colleges Accepting JEE Main for B.Tech in India

CAT (Common Admission Test)

The CAT exam is a national-level test that is conducted by IIM on a rotational basis. It is a computer-based exam that students take to gain admission to the Master in Business Administration (MBA) program. Students who have scored 50% or more in their Bachelor’s degree can apply for the exam, while the aggregate score for the reserved categories is 45%.

The exam consists of three sections, namely quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning and data interpretation, verbal ability, and reading comprehension. The questions in the exam will be in the form of multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions. This year, the exam is expected to have 66 questions. To determine CAT scores, the exam undergoes scaling and normalisation processes since it is conducted in multiple shifts.

Candidates appeared	2.30 lakh approx.
Selection rate	2%
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks
Duration of exam	2 hours
Exam Pattern	Section on Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning
Difficulty Level	High, requires speed, accuracy, and logical skills
Purpose of exam	Pursuing MBA courses in business schools

CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)

The CLAT exam is conducted annually by the Consortium of National Law Universities to provide admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs at 24 national law universities in India. The exam is conducted offline and comprises 150 questions across five sections, including Logical Reasoning, Legal Aptitude, English, General Knowledge, and Maths. Qualifying candidates can pursue careers in law, the judiciary, higher education, and civil services. A minimum cut-off mark is necessary, and there is no maximum age limit for candidates.

Candidates appeared	60,000 approx.
Selection rate	3% approx.
Eligibility	10+2 pass with a minimum of 45% marks
Duration of exam	2 hours
Exam Pattern	English, Current Affairs, Logical Reasoning, Legal Aptitude, and Quantitative Techniques
Difficulty Level	High, due to a logical and analytical approach
Purpose of exam	For admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law colleges

CA (Chartered Accountant) Exam

The CA exam has been administered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) since its inception. The CA degree carries the same weight as a postgraduate degree from Delhi University (DU). Candidates must pass three levels – foundation, intermediate, and final – to obtain the degree.

The exam is held twice a year and consists of multiple-choice and descriptive questions in the intermediate and final stages, while the foundation stage is based solely on multiple-choice questions. The foundation test consists of four papers, while the intermediate and final exams are divided into two groups, each with four papers. This is one of the most challenging exams, requiring more study time and effort from candidates. To achieve their goal of becoming a chartered accountant, candidates must pass all three stages.

Candidates appeared	93,729 approx.
Selection rate	25%
Eligibility	Students can register after 12 (CPT/CA Foundation)
Duration of exam	3 hours for the final exam
Stages	CA Foundation- CA Intermediate- CA Final
Difficulty Level	Requires deep knowledge of accounting, taxation, auditing, and finance.
Purpose of exam	Candidates who qualify will become certified chartered accountants

Did you know: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India was back in 1949 by the Parliament of India to regulate the accountancy profession in India.

NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)

The NEET exam, considered the toughest exam in the medical field, is conducted by the National Testing Agency every year. It is aimed at providing admission to various undergraduate courses like Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), AYUSH, and veterinary courses.

The exam consists of questions from Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, and Botany subjects, and the total marks for the exam are 720. Due to the increasing competition, the cut-off marks are also rising at a fast pace. The exam is a single-stage exam, and there is no maximum age limit defined for the candidates. However, the minimum age requirement is 17 years or above.

Candidates appeared	18 lakh approx.
Selection rate	6.5 – 7%
Eligibility	10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
Duration of exam	3 hours
Exam Pattern	Objective-type questions from PCB subjects
Difficulty Level	High, due to the vast syllabus and intense competition
Purpose of exam	For admission to undergraduate courses like Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), AYUSH, and veterinary courses

GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)

The GATE exam, which is an all-India exam, is conducted by the GATE committee in eight regions across the country. The committee comprises diverse members from the National Coordinating Board and Department of Higher Education, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, and IISc.

The final GATE score will be used by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to recruit students for jobs such as Indian Oil, GAIL, and Hindustan Petroleum. The exam pattern will consist of multiple-choice, multiple-select questions, or numerical answer types, with 2 sections – General aptitude and the candidate’s selected section.

Candidates appeared	7 lakh approx.
Selection rate	17%
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks
Duration of exam	3 hours
Exam Pattern	Section on Quantitative aptitude, Verbal Ability, data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning
Difficulty Level	High, requires speed, accuracy, and logical skills
Purpose of exam	To test student knowledge in Engineering and Science, and for recruitment in companies like GAIL

NDA (National Defence Academy)

The NDA exam, which is India’s toughest exam for the defence line, is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Those who pass this exam will have the opportunity to join the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA. The exam is held twice a year and consists of a written test and a Service Selection Board (SSB) interview.

The exam pattern includes questions from the mathematics and general ability sections, which cover topics from English and general awareness. The general ability test syllabus has 600 questions, and the mathematics paper is worth 300 marks. In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that women are allowed to take the NDA exam, opening up new opportunities for them to serve the nation after getting selected in this exam.

Candidates appeared	3 lakh approx.
Selection rate	0.1%
Eligibility	0+2 pass (with Mathematics and Physics for Air Force and Navy)
Duration of exam	2.5 hours each for both papers
Selection Stages	Written exam, SSB interview, and Medical Test
Difficulty Level	Moderate to high, with a focus on general knowledge, mathematics, and reasoning
Purpose of exam	To serve in the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA

UGC NET (UGC National Eligibility Test)

The UGC NET exam for the University Grants Commission (UGC) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) twice a year. The exam aims to help candidates become assistant professors or seek junior research fellowships.

In order to be eligible to apply, candidates must have secured at least 55% marks in their Master’s degree. The exam consists of two papers that are conducted online. The first one is a common paper that includes questions related to teaching and research aptitude, general awareness, reasoning ability, and reading comprehension. The second paper is subject-specific. To qualify for the paper, candidates need to score a minimum of 40% marks. Reserved candidates must secure at least 35% marks.

Candidates appeared	5 lakh approx.
Selection rate	9% approx.
Eligibility	Postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks
Duration of exam	3 hours
Exam Pattern	Paper 1 (General Teaching & Research Aptitude), Paper 2 (Subject-Specific)
Difficulty Level	High, due to the board syllabus and research-oriented questions
Purpose of exam	Getting eligibility for the posts of assistant professor and junior research fellowship award in Indian universities and colleges

NID (National Institute of Design Entrance)

The National Institute of Design conducts the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) at a national level, which is taken by candidates for admission into undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The exam consists of two qualifying stages, namely NID DAT prelims and NID DAT mains.

The candidates must be at least 19 years old before applying for the exam. The merit list is prepared based on the scores obtained in the prelims and mains. The NID conducts counselling in two stages.

Candidates appeared	15000
Selection rate	14%
Eligibility	For B.Des: 10+2 pass from a recognised board For M.Des: Bachelor’s degree in design/related field
Duration of exam	3 hours
Exam Stage	Design Aptitude Test (DAT Prelims & Mains), Studio Test, and Personal Interview
Difficulty Level	High, as it tests creativity, visualisation, problem-solving, and design aptitude rather than rote learning.
Purpose of exam	The purpose of the NID Entrance Exam is to identify creative and innovative students for admission into top design programs at the National Institute of Design.

Also Read: NDA Exam Eligibility: Age Limit, Qualifications, No. of Attempts

What Makes an Exam the Toughest Exam in India?

India hosts some of the most challenging exams, but which one stands out as the toughest? Basically, the “toughness of an exam” stems from a combination of structural, competitive, and psychological factors. Here are the key factors that define the difficulty level of exams in India:

• Scope of the Syllabus: The complexity of an exam often depends on how many subjects you need to cover. For instance, while UPSC Civil Services requires a comprehensive understanding of various subjects like history, science, and current affairs, exams like GATE demand a deep understanding of every engineering concept.
• Level of Competition: The difficulty of an exam is directly related to the competition you face. For exams like NEET, millions of aspirants compete for a limited number of seats. A few marks could drastically change your rank, making the competition fierce and the stakes high.
• Passing Rate: The tougher exams have a low pass rate. Exams like CA and UPSC often see a small percentage of candidates clearing them. Even if you prepare diligently, consistency, persistence, and an iron will are essential for success.

Strategies to Crack Tough Exams

A candidate should follow strict life routines and strategies to ace an exam, from mastering time management and creating a focused study schedule to practising mock tests and developing a positive mindset. You can crack even the toughest exams with dedication and the right approach!

Here are some strategies to guide you in navigating the complexities of the top 10 toughest exams in India for exam preparation.

• 1. Understand the exam pattern and syllabus.
• 2. Create a study plan and prioritise weaker areas.
• 3. Use quality study materials.
• 4. Practice regularly with mock tests and sample papers.
• 5. Manage your time effectively.
• 6. Revise regularly to retain information.
• 7. Seek guidance from experts.
• 8. Stay updated on current affairs and developments.
• 9. Take care of your health and well-being.
• 10. Believe in yourself and stay confident.

What Are the Top 10 Toughest Courses in India?

Determining the “toughest” courses in India is subjective and often based on factors like intense competition for admissions (e.g., via exams like JEE, NEET, UPSC), vast syllabi, low pass rates, duration, and the need for analytical, memorization, and practical skills. Here’s a compiled list of the top 10 toughest undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Rank	Toughest Course	Key Entrance Exam
1	Chartered Accountancy (CA)	CA Foundation/Intermediate/Final
2	Medicine (MBBS)	NEET
3	Engineering (B.Tech, esp. IITs)	JEE Main/Advanced
4	Civil Services (IAS/IPS via UPSC)	UPSC CSE (Prelims/Mains/Interview)
5	Law (LLB/B.A. LLB)	CLAT
6	Architecture (B.Arch)	NATA/JEE Main
7	Management (MBA)	CAT/MAT/XAT
8	Pharmacy (B.Pharm)	State entrances/NEET
9	Dentistry (BDS)	NEET
10	Master of Philosophy (M.Phil)	University-specific

India has some of the most challenging exams in the world, covering fields such as administration, engineering, medicine, law, commerce, and defence. Cracking these exams requires dedication, consistent effort, and smart preparation. While the competition is fierce, success brings prestigious career opportunities and personal satisfaction. If you are preparing for any of these exams, start early, follow a structured study plan, and stay motivated throughout the journey.

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