Bhubaneswar: Competitive exams are designed such a way that it measures aptitude, mental stability, physical fitness, technical skills, and other aspects of the students. Competitive exams attract lakhs of candidates, but only a few make the cut. Education Bytes lists 5 exams that are considered the toughest in India.
UPSC Civil Service Entrance Examinations (IAS)
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the IAS exam, which is one of the toughest exams in India today. It’s mainly because the exam evaluates candidates in three levels.
Level 1: The Preliminary Exam; Level 2: The Main Exam; Level 3: Personality Test or Personal Interview
Candidates need to study a vast syllabus covering Indian History, Indian Geography, and Laws on Human Rights. If not the most difficult, it one of the most difficult exams to clear all three stages. About 8-10 lakh candidates attempt the exam every year.
IIT-JEE Entrance Examination
IIT-JEE for engineering allows students to get admission to the best engineering institutes in the country. It’s considered the second toughest exam in India after the Civil Services. Students seeking admissions at centrally-funded technical institutions are chosen based on two core levels of IIT-JEE: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. One must clear JEE Main and be in the top bracket to get permission to appear for JEE Advanced for IITs, IISc and NITs.
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
The GATE exam is held for admission into Masters and Doctoral courses in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, and Science. The GATE score remains valid for 3 years, commencing from the announcement date. GATE score is also accepted by selected government Public Sector Undertakings.
CAT (Common Admission Test)
CAT is an entry-level exam through which students seek admissions to top management and business schools in the country. Aspirants’ evaluation is based on skills in English, Mathematics and Logical Reasoning. All the IIMs and universities that offer MBA courses in the country accept CAT scores. The fact that only 1,500 students are shortlisted from a pool of 2 lakh proves how tough it is to get through. The success rate is close to 2 per cent only.
NDA (National Defence Academy)
NDA exams are held for recruitment in the Indian Army, Air Force, and/or Navy. The candidates are shortlisted based on written examination, psychological aptitude test, intelligence test, personality test, and finally, a personal interview. NDA is conducted twice a year in April and September.
ALSO READ: IIT-Bhubaneswar Among Top Engineering Colleges In India; IIT-Madras Ranked First