Education

Which is the 3 toughest exam in India ?

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Which is the 3 toughest exam in India ?

Which is the 3 toughest exam in India ?

Our India has three main toughest exam. Many exams in the country are designed to test the knowledge, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities of candidates in various fields. Among these, some are considered the toughest due to their low success rate, vast syllabus, and intense competition. Here, we discuss the three toughest exams in India based on their difficulty level, competition, and selection ratio.

1. UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination is widely regarded as the toughest exam in India. It is conducted annually to select candidates for prestigious services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other civil services.

Why is UPSC CSE the Toughest Exam?

  1. Vast Syllabus: The syllabus covers subjects like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science & Technology, Ethics, Current Affairs, and more.
  2. Multiple Stages: The exam consists of three stages:
    • Preliminary Examination (Prelims) – Objective-type questions
    • Main Examination (Mains) – Descriptive written test
    • Personality Test (Interview) – Face-to-face assessment
  3. Low Success Rate: Out of nearly 10-12 lakh applicants every year, only around 700-1000 candidates make it to the final list.
  4. Unpredictability: The dynamic nature of questions makes it difficult to prepare with certainty.
  5. Extensive Preparation Time: Candidates spend 1-2 years preparing for this exam.

Exam Pattern:

  • Prelims: Two papers (General Studies & CSAT)
  • Mains: Nine papers, including essays and optional subjects
  • Interview: Personality and situational judgment test

How to Crack UPSC CSE?

  • Build strong conceptual clarity in all subjects.
  • Read newspapers like The Hindu, The Indian Express daily.
  • Solve mock tests and previous year papers.
  • Practice answer writing for the Mains exam.
  • Improve communication skills for the interview.

2. IIT-JEE (Joint Entrance Examination)

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is considered one of the toughest engineering entrance exams in India. It is conducted for admission into prestigious engineering institutes like the IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other top colleges.

Why is JEE One of the Toughest Exams?

  1. High-Level Questions: The questions require a deep understanding of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
  2. Tough Competition: Around 10-12 lakh students appear for JEE Main, and only about 2.5 lakh qualify for JEE Advanced.
  3. Two Stages of Exam:
    • JEE Main: First-level screening for admission to NITs, IIITs, and eligibility for JEE Advanced.
    • JEE Advanced: Required for entry into IITs.
  4. Low Selection Rate: Less than 1% of applicants secure admission to top IITs.
  5. Challenging Syllabus: It covers complex numerical problems, conceptual application, and problem-solving skills.

Exam Pattern:

  • JEE Main: 90 questions (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)
  • JEE Advanced: Two papers (high-level conceptual questions)

How to Crack JEE?

  • Focus on conceptual understanding rather than rote learning.
  • Solve previous years’ question papers and mock tests.
  • Strengthen problem-solving skills and practice time management.
  • Enroll in coaching institutes or take online courses for guidance.

3. GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is one of the toughest exams in India for engineering and science graduates. It is conducted for admission into M.Tech, Ph.D. programs in IITs, NITs, IISc, and for recruitment in PSU (Public Sector Undertakings).

Why is GATE One of the Toughest Exams?

  1. Extensive Syllabus: The syllabus covers technical subjects from various branches of engineering, mathematics, and general aptitude.
  2. High Difficulty Level: The questions test in-depth knowledge, analytical skills, and numerical problem-solving ability.
  3. Tough Competition: Over 10-12 lakh candidates appear for GATE, and only a few thousand secure top ranks.
  4. Limited Seats in IITs & IISc: Even with a high GATE score, admission into IITs and IISc is highly competitive.
  5. Used for PSU Recruitment: Many PSUs like ONGC, BHEL, NTPC, and IOCL use GATE scores for job recruitment, increasing the competition.

Exam Pattern:

  • Total Marks: 100
  • Subjects: Core Engineering, General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics
  • Question Types: MCQs, Numerical Answer Type (NAT)

How to Crack GATE?

  • Develop strong conceptual clarity in core subjects.
  • Solve previous years’ GATE papers and mock tests.
  • Use standard reference books recommended for GATE preparation.
  • Practice time management and accuracy in calculations.

Conclusion

India has many challenging exams, but the UPSC Civil Services Exam, IIT-JEE, and GATE are considered the toughest due to their vast syllabus, intense competition, and high difficulty level. Cracking these exams requires dedication, smart strategies, and continuous hard work.

While the UPSC CSE is the hardest for administrative roles, JEE is the toughest for engineering aspirants, and GATE is one of the most challenging for postgraduate and PSU jobs in engineering.

If you are preparing for any of these exams, start early, stay focused, and maintain a disciplined study plan. With the right strategy and persistence, success is achievable!

External Resources :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Public_Service_Commission

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Entrance_Examination_%E2%80%93_Advanced

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduate_Aptitude_Test_in_Engineering