Buy Best Books for Entrance and Government Exams

Home

Author at PW

June 13, 2025

India is known for its challenging exams. Every year, millions of students prepare for different competitive tests. These exams are not just hard because of the subjects, but also because of how many people take them and how few actually pass. We will look at the top 10 toughest exams in India. We will explain why each exam is difficult and what makes it unique. If you're wondering which is the toughest exam or preparing for your future or searching for the hardest exam in India, you are in the right place.

Check Out: Govt Entrance Exams Book

Reasons These Exams So Hard

Before we talk about each exam, let's understand what makes them tough. These exams are hard because:

Too many students take them
The questions are very difficult
Students need to study many subjects
Very few students pass
Time is always short during the exam

List of Top 10 Toughest Exams in India

1.UPSC Civil Services Exam

UPSC Civil Services Exam is known as the toughest exam in India. This exam helps people become IAS, IPS, and IFS officers. These are some of the most respected jobs in India.

Why is it so hard?

The exam has three parts. First is the basic test, then the main exam with 9 papers, and finally an interview. Students need to study history, geography, current news, and many other subjects.

Every year, about 13 lakh students apply for this exam. But only around 1,000 students get selected. This means Less than 0.2% actually get selected. That's why many people call it the most difficult exam in India.

2.IIT JEE Exam

JEE Exam is the second toughest exam in India. Students take this exam to get into IIT colleges, which are the best engineering schools in India.

What makes it tough?

Only students who do well in JEE Main can take JEE Advanced. The questions test how well students understand math, physics, and chemistry. Students cannot just memorize answers they need to think and solve problems in new ways.

Over 10 lakh students take JEE Main, but only 2.5 lakh can take JEE Advanced. Out of these, only about 10,000 students get into IIT colleges.

3.GATE The Graduate Engineering Test

GATE helps students get into top engineering colleges for higher studies. It also helps them get jobs in government companies.

Why is GATE difficult?

About 9 lakh students take GATE every year. The exam covers all engineering subjects in detail. Students need to remember and use many formulas and concepts. Only about 15-20% of students pass this exam.

4.CAT

CAT is the exam for students who want to study management at IIM colleges. These are the best business schools in India.

What makes CAT special?

CAT is a computer test that changes questions based on how well students answer. If you answer correctly, the next question becomes harder. If you answer wrongly, the next question becomes easier.

About 2 lakh students take CAT Exam every year. Students need to be good at math, reading, and logical thinking. Only the top students get into IIM colleges.

5.NEET

NEET is the only exam for students who want to become doctors or dentists in India. All medical colleges use NEET scores to select students.

Why is NEET getting harder?

In recent years, NEET has become much harder. The 2025 NEET exam was very tough, especially the physics section. Over 22 lakh students took this exam, but only a few thousand got very high scores. Only around 3-4% get seats in top government colleges.

Students need to study biology, chemistry, and physics deeply. They also need to be very fast because time is limited.

6. CLAT The Law Entrance

CLAT helps students get into National Law Universities. These are the best law colleges in India.

CLAT challenges:

Students need to know about current events, legal knowledge, and logical thinking. The exam has 120 questions that cover many different topics.

In 2025, about 96% of students who registered actually took the CLAT exam. Students need to score 78-85 marks out of 120 to get into top law colleges.

7. CA Exam

The Chartered Accountant exam is one of the hardest exams in India for students who want to become professional accountants.

What makes the CA exam tough?

The CA exam has three levels Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. Students also need to do practical training while studying.

The pass rates are very low. In November 2024, only 13.44% of students passed the exam. This means less than 14 out of 100 students pass.

8.UGC NET

UGC NET is for students who want to become college teachers or researchers. It is considered among the top 10 toughest exam in India.

NET difficulty:

Only 711% of students who take this exam pass it. In December 2023, about 7 lakh students took the UGC NET exam, but only 59,000 passed.

Students need to know their subject very well and also understand research methods.

9. NDA Exam The Defense Test

The NDA exam helps students join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force as officers.

NDA challenges:

NDA exam has two papers mathematics and general knowledge. Students need to be good at both subjects.

After passing the written exam, students also need to pass physical fitness tests and medical checkups.

10. NID Entrance The Design Test

The National Institute of Design entrance exam is for students who want to study design.

What makes NID unique?

This exam tests creativity and design thinking. Students need to draw and solve visual problems. The exam has two parts basic test and advanced test.

How to Prepare for These Tough Exams

1. Begin Early

Begin preparing at least 1 year or better 23 years before the exam. The India toughest exam requires a long preparation time.

2. Create a Study Plan

Spread your time between different subjects. Give more time to subjects you find difficult.

3. Practice Daily

Solve practice questions every day. This helps you get faster and more accurate.

4. Stay Updated

Read newspapers and magazines to know about current events. Many exams ask questions about recent news.

5. Take Mock Tests

Practice with sample papers and online tests. This helps you understand the real exam pattern.

Also Check, SSC Books

Reasons These Exams Important for People

These tough exams help India find the best students for important jobs and top colleges. They make sure only the most skilled people get these positions.

When students pass these exams, they get:

Respect in society
Good job opportunities
High salaries
Chance to serve the country

The toughest exams in india are challenging but not impossible to clear. They require dedication, smart preparation, and persistence.

If you're planning to take any of these exams, start preparing early and stay focused. Remember that success comes to those who work hard and never give up.

Whether you clear these exams or not, the preparation process will make you a better student and person. The skills you learn while preparing - like time management, problem-solving, and perseverance - will help you throughout your life. These exams are tough, but they have made India proud by producing some of the world's best professionals. Who knows? You might be the next success story from one of these toughest exams in India.

Toughest Exam in India FAQs

1.Which is the toughest exam in India?

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is widely regarded as the toughest exam in India due to its vast syllabus, three-stage process, and very low success rate.

2.What are the top 10 toughest exams in India?

The top 10 toughest exams in India are UPSC CSE, IIT JEE Advanced, GATE, NEET, CAT, CA Exam, CLAT, UGC NET, NDA, and NID Entrance Test.

3.Is NEET harder than JEE?

NEET is tough for medical aspirants due to competition and subject difficulty. JEE Advanced is harder for engineering students due to problem complexity.

4. How competitive is the NEET exam?

NEET is extremely competitive. Over 22 lakh students appear each year for a limited number of medical seats.

Recommended for you