List of Top 10 Toughest Exams in India 2025

Lakhs of aspiring candidates appear each year for the Toughest Exams in India to acquire government positions or the highest positions in India. These competitive exams are known for their rigorous selection process. Exams like the UPSC Civil Services and JEE for engineering aspirants test candidates’ knowledge, skills, and determination. Cracking these exams often requires years of dedicated preparation and strategic planning. For students, these exams are not just challenges but opportunities to achieve their academic and career goals.

Toughest Exams in India 2025

Preparing for government exams can be tough, but the rewards make the effort worthwhile. Every year, lakhs of aspirants compete for a limited number of positions, making these the Toughest Exams in India 2025. With vast syllabus and intense competition, only the most dedicated and well-prepared aspirants succeed. Cracking these exams requires consistent effort, smart preparation, and determination.

Top 10 Toughest Exams in India

Top 10 Toughest Exams in India evaluates a range of skills, including aptitude, problem-solving, and language proficiency. In fact, some of them are ranked among the world’s toughest exams. Each exam serves a specific purpose, providing opportunities in various fields like government services, engineering, medicine, and management. Below mentioned are the Top 10 Toughest Exams in India:

1. UPSC CSE 
2. JEE Advanced
3. GATE: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
4. IIM CAT
5. NDA
6. CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)
7. Chartered Accountant (CA) Exam
8. UGC NET
9. NEET
10. National Institute of Design Entrance Exam

List of Top 10 Toughest Exams in India 2025

India conducts various competitive exams, but some stand out to be challenging in nature. Below discussed is the List of Top 10 Toughest Exams in India 2025 that test candidate’s knowledge, skills, and determination.

UPSC CSE (UPSC Civil Services Examination)

UPSC CSE Exam 2025 is considered to be the Toughest Exams in India which is conducted by the UPSC to recruit eligible candidates for the various government positions including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS). The exam has three levels of selection process including Prelims,Mains and Interview.  

Each year, around 10-12 lakh candidates apply for the UPSC Exam 2025, but only a few thousand succeed. The competitive nature of UPSC CSE 2025 requires the right strategy and proper guidance. Vajiram and Ravi helps you to meet the need of Best IAS Coaching in Delhi by providing the expert mentorship and coaching.

JEE Advanced

The JEE exam, conducted annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is one of the most competitive exams in India. It consists of two papers: Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech and Paper 2 for B.Arch/B.Planning. The exam has two levels, JEE Main, which offers admission to NITs, IIITs, and other government institutes, and JEE Advanced, required for entry into IITs, IISc, and RGIPT. The intense competition for top ranks and IIT admissions makes it a highly demanding exam.

GATE: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering

The GATE exam is a national-level test conducted across eight regions in India by the GATE committee, which includes members from the National Coordinating Board, the Department of Higher Education, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, and IISc. The GATE score is widely used by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like Indian Oil, GAIL, and Hindustan Petroleum for recruitment.

The exam features multiple-choice, multiple-select, and numerical answer-type questions. It consists of two sections, General Aptitude and a subject-specific section chosen by the candidate.

IIM CAT

The CAT exam is a national-level entrance test conducted annually by IIMs on a rotational basis for admission to MBA programs. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved categories) are eligible to apply.

The exam consists of three sections: Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation, and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. It includes both multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions.

NDA

The NDA exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is one of India’s most challenging exams for candidates aspiring to join the Army, Navy, or Air Force. Held twice a year, it includes a written test followed by a Service Selection Board (SSB) interview. The exam consists of two sections, Mathematics, worth 300 marks, and a General Ability Test (GAT), covering English and general awareness with 600 marks. 

CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)

The CLAT Exam is held annually by the Consortium of National Law Universities for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs at 24 national law universities across India. 

Conducted offline, it consists of 150 questions divided into five sections, Logical Reasoning, Legal Aptitude, English, General Knowledge, and Maths. Candidates who qualify can explore career opportunities in law, judiciary, academia, and civil services. While a minimum cut-off score is required for selection, there is no upper age limit for applicants.

Chartered Accountant (CA) Exam

The CA Exam, conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), is one of the most challenging professional exams in India. Earning a CA degree is considered equivalent to a postgraduate qualification from Delhi University (DU). 

To become a Chartered Accountant, candidates must clear three stages, Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. The exam is held twice a year. While the Foundation stage consists of multiple-choice questions across four papers, the Intermediate and Final levels include both multiple-choice and descriptive questions, divided into two groups of four papers each. 

UGC NET

The UGC NET Exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) twice a year, is a gateway for candidates aspiring to become assistant professors or pursue junior research fellowships.

To apply, candidates need a Master’s degree with at least 55% marks (or 50% for reserved categories). The exam has two online papers. Paper 1 tests teaching and research aptitude, general awareness, reasoning, and reading comprehension, while Paper 2 is subject-specific. Candidates must score a minimum of 40% to qualify, with a relaxation to 35% for reserved categories.

NEET

The NEET Exam, conducted annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is one of the most challenging medical entrance exams in India. It offers admission to undergraduate courses like MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and veterinary programs.

The exam covers subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, and Botany, with a total of 720 marks. As competition grows, the cut-off scores have been increasing. NEET is a single-stage exam with a minimum age requirement of 17 years, but there is no upper age limit, making it accessible to a wider range of candidates.

National Institute of Design Entrance Exam

The National Institute of Design (NID) conducts the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) at the national level for admission to its undergraduate and postgraduate design programs. The exam has two stages: NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains.

Applicants must be at least 19 years old to apply. The final merit list is prepared based on the combined scores from both stages. Successful candidates proceed to the counselling process, which takes place in two phases for seat allocation.