List Of Competitive Exams In India – A Complete Guide

Competition is tough in India. Be it a job, a reputed degree, a degree from a good institution. To get the opportunity of your dreams, you need to appear for competitive exams. We have brought together a list of competitive exams in India to make your choice simple. Have a look to find all the options available.

List of Competitive Exams in India after Class 10th & 12th:

Upcoming Competitive Exams after Class 12th 2023-24

Below is the list of competitive exams in India that you can pursue after high school and do not require graduation.

1. SSC CHSL

The exam is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for undergraduate students. As CHSL stands for ‘Combined Higher Secondary level’. The exam is conducted in three tiers:

• Tier 1 – Objective test
• Tier 2 – Descriptive test
• Tier 3 – Typing test/ skill test

Depending on the exam results, you are recruited for the following positions:

(i)  Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC)

(ii) Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)

(iii) Postal Assistant (PA)

(iv) Sorting Assistant (SA)

(v)  Data Entry Operator (DEO)

(vi) DEO

(vii) DEO (Grade A)

According to the order of the positions mentioned above, the pay scale varies from Rs 19,900 to Rs 81,100.

SSC CHSL Exam Pattern:

2. SSC GD

This exam is also conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). It is for students who have completed their class 10th from a recognized board. The age criteria is 18-23 years.

Staff Selection Commission (SSC) holds this exam for undergraduate students for the recruitment of: 

• Stenographer Grade C (Group B Non-Gazetted) 
• Grade D (Group C) for the Ministries/ Organisations /Departments of the government

The candidates are selected for the posts of Constable (General Duty) and Rifleman (General Duty).

4 selection stages in SSC GD exam

(i)  Computer-Based Test (CBE)

(ii) Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

(iii) Physical Standard Test (PST)

(iv) Medical Exam which consists of Detailed Medical Exam (DME), Review Medical Exam

SSC GD Exam Pattern:

3. SSC Stenographer

Staff Selection Commission (SSC) holds this exam for undergraduate students for the recruitment of: 

• Stenographer Grade C (Group B Non-Gazetted)
• Grade D (Group C) for the Ministries/ Organisations /Departments of the government 

The exam is conducted every year where the exam stages include a computer-based test and a skill test. The stenographer’s day to day responsibilities includes speech writing, press conference briefings, helping in public relations, etc. 

The pay scale of this job varies from Rs 9,300 to Rs 20,200

SSC Stenographer Exam Pattern:

4. SSC MTS

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts this exam. It provides opportunities to students who have completed their Class 10 from a recognized board. However, the age limit for applying for this exam is from 18-27 years. It offers recruitment to the candidates in: 

• General Central Service Group-C non-gazetted
• Non-ministerial posts in various departments, ministries, and offices of the Government of India

To qualify for the exam, students are supposed to qualify for two tests namely Paper-1, which is online, and Paper-2, which is offline. 

The candidates of this exam fall under the category of the Pay Band-1 Rs 5,200-20,200 and are given grade pay of Rs 1,800.

SSC MTS Exam Pattern:

5. NDA & NA

Organized by the Union Public Service Commission, the NDA is one of the most sought-after examinations for undergraduate students. The candidates must appear for a written exam and an SSB Interview to qualify. The National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) exam is conducted twice a year. Candidates are selected for the post of Army Wing of National Defence Academy and Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy of National Defence Academy.

NDA & NA Exam Pattern:

6. AIIMS & NEET

All India Institute of Medical Sciences conducts special medical tests for the students who have passed their 12th from CBSE/ISC/State Board with Physics, Chemistry, Biology as the main subject. The students who appear for the exam should have scored a minimum of 40-50% aggregate in 12th( depending on their category). 

AIIMS & NEET Exam Pattern:

7. JEE Main

The list of competitive exams in India is incomplete without JEE Main. The National Testing Agency (NTA) holds this exam for the Class 12th science stream students. This Joint Entrance Exam is conducted to offer students admissions to BE/BTech, BPlan, and BArch courses to IIITs (Indian Institute of Information Technology), NITs (National Institute of Technology), and all other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs) around the country. 

JEE Main Exam Pattern:

8. BITSAT

Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, conducts this exam for students. Candidates must have completed their class 12th or equivalent exam from any recognized board with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology, and English as subjects. Admission eligibility is a minimum aggregate of 75% of the subjects mentioned earlier. Candidate must have a minimum 60% marks in individual subject.

BITSAT Exam Pattern:

9. Railways

Students above 18 years of age are eligible to appear for railway exams. Railways conduct 4 exams- 

(i) RRB Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC)

(ii) RRB JE 

(iii) RRB ALP

(iv) RRB Group D

The exam pattern & posts for all these exams vary accordingly. The RRC Group D exam is also conducted by the Railway Recruitment Control Board (RRB). Students who have completed their Class 10 from a recognized board can apply for this exam. However, the age limit for this exam is 18 to 33 years.

Railways Exam Pattern:

10. CTET

Central Teacher Eligibility Test is organized by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for determining the eligibility of candidates as teachers for Class 1-8. However, candidates above 18 years of age can apply as a teacher for primary classes and will have to only qualify for Paper-1 for the exam. 

The Payscale for this exam varies from Rs 9,300 – Rs 34,800.

CTET Exam Pattern:

11. CLAT

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national level entrance exam for undergraduate students, organized by The Consortium of NLUs. The candidate must have completed class 12th and obtained the minimum aggregate as required by their category.

12. AILET

National Law University, Delhi conducts the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET)  for admission to undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate level law courses. While CLAT is more at the India level, AILET is for admission to National Law University(NLU), Delhi only. 

CLAT & AILET Exam Pattern:

13. KVPY

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, conducts Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana(KVPY) exam. It is a scholarship programme sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India, encouraging students to take up research careers in basic sciences. The test mainly has Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology questions. The exam has 80 questions and only MCQ type.

KVPY Exam Pattern:

14. NEST

The National Entrance Screening Test is an entrance examination for admission to:

• National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar
• Center for Excellence in Basic Sciences, Mumbai 
• Visva Bharati University, West Bengal

The test offers admissions to 5year integrated M.Sc courses in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics.

NEST Exam Pattern:

15. NIFT

The National Institute of Fashion Technology conducts an entrance exam to shortlist candidates for admission to fashion design programmes.

NIFT Exam Pattern:

16. SEED

Symbiosis International University conducts Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (SEED) for admission in their Bachelor of Design(BDes) programmes. B.Des is a full-time four-year course with specialisations in Fashion Designing, Accessory Designing, Textile Designing, Interior Designing, etc. 

SEED Exam Pattern:

List of Competitive Exams In India After Graduation

Upcoming Competitive Exams after Graduation 2023-24

Now, start the list of competitive exams in India that you can pursue after graduation. 

1. SSC CGL

The SSC CGL examination is held for students who have completed their bachelor’s degree from a recognized board or university. Candidates are selected for the post of  Group-B and Group-C posts. For the different departments/organizations/ ministries of the Government of India. The exam consists of three tiers: Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. The pay range for this job varies from Rs 25,500 to Rs 1,51,100.

SSC CGL Exam Pattern:

2. Banking & Insurance

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Regional Rural Bank Officer & Office Assistant Exam (IBPS RRB) is conducted for aspirants who wish to have their future career in banking. The eligibility criteria for Office Assistant/Clerk and Officer Scale I are 18-28 years. However, only a graduate can apply.

The four insurance companies under government are LIC, New India Assurance, National Insurance, United Insurance, and Oriental. 

The LIC holds 5 exams: the LIC AAO exam, LIC Assistant Engineer (LIC AE), LIC Assistant 2020, LIC ADO (Apprentice Development Officer), and LIC HFL 2019 exam. Whereas the  New India Assurance holds two exams namely, NIACL AO 2018 and NIACL Assistant 2018

The eligibility criteria for each exam varies accordingly.

3. MBA Entrance Exams

MBA Entrance exams aren’t a piece of cake, yet with determination & hard work one can clear them tactfully. These exams are to measure the effectiveness of students. Entrance Exams like CAT/MAT/XAT can help the graduate students get admissions in some of the most prestigious MBA programmes. 

CAT, MAT & XAT Exam Pattern:

4. UPSC Civil Services Examination

The Union Public Service Commission conducts UPSC, UPPSC, NDA, CDS exams. The motive of the examination is to select candidates for 

• Civil Services
• National Defence Academy (NDA)
• Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC)
• Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force 

5. Indian Air Force

The Indian Air force conducts the AFCAT ( Air Force Common Admission Test). The exam is held twice a year to select Group A Gazetted Officers in Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches.  

The pay range for this job varies from Rs 7 lakhs to 10 lakhs per annum.

Indian Air Force Exam Pattern:

6. State-level Examinations

The state-level examinations are crucial as they include job security, good salary & come with numerous perks & benefits. Some state-level examinations are: 

• AP Forest Department Recruitment
• CG Police Constable Exam
• BSPHCL Assistant Exam
• HSSC Recruitment
• TSCAB Staff Assistant Recruitment

7. Indian Economic Service Examination

United Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts a national-level examination – Indian Economic Service(IES), to recruit for various positions. Engineers or candidates having a degree in economics/ statistics can apply. Here are the popular positions that get filled by the IES exam:

8. Food Corporation Of India Examination

The Food Corporation of India(FCI) manages the supply and pricing of food grains. They also work to support farmers’ interests. FCI recruits for many positions like Manager (General Administration, Technical, Accounts, Law), Engineer, Typist, Medical Officer, etc. The exam pattern depends on the role. 

9. GRE

The Graduate Record Examinations is the entrance exam for graduate schools in the U.S., Canada, and other countries. Many top-ranked M.B.A. programs accept GRE scores, so students who wish to study abroad opt for GRE as the first choice. 

GRE Exam Pattern:

10. IIFT

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) Delhi, Kolkata and Kakinada conduct a separate management exam for admission to their M.B.A. International Business course. IIFT is counted amongst the top B-schools of India, and its M.B.A. programmes specialise in international trade and business.

IIFT Exam Pattern:

11. State Bank Of India – PO

State Bank of India conducts the SBI PO exam to recruit probationary officers for their branches. SBI is India’s largest bank and gives you the opportunity to work in many areas. A Probationary Officer(PO) is an entry-level employee or junior manager in a bank who handles management work at a bank. 

SBI PO Exam Pattern:

12. IBPS – PO 

With so much competition, no list of the toughest competitive exams in India can skip IBPS-PO. Institute of Banking Personnel Selection conducts the IBPS PO exam to select Probationary Officers in different public sector banks in India. Banks participating in IBPS PO are:

• Bank of Baroda
• Canara Bank
• UCO Bank 
• Indian Overseas Bank
• Bank of India
• Punjab National Bank
• Bank of Maharashtra
• Punjab & Sind Bank
• Central Bank of India 
• Union Bank of India
• Indian Bank

IBPS PO Exam Pattern:

13. GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)

Students who wish to pursue further Master’s or Doctoral courses in Engineering/Technology/Architecture/Science take the GATE exam. Candidates with an engineering degree or master’s degree in mathematics/science/statistics/computer applications are eligible for the exam. Many PSUs also accept the exam score for their recruitment. 

GATE Exam Pattern:

14. CEED

IIT Bombay conducts the Common Entrance Examination for Design(CEED) for admission to the Master of Design (M.Des) and PhD programs in IITs/IISC/Symbiosis and many other colleges.  

CEED Exam Pattern:

Further Resources to Prepare for Exam

Here is the list of competitive exam books that will help you prepare for the exams. 

Recommended Books for Government Exams:

1. General Knowledge Book for Competitive Exams

2. A Handbook of Essays For Competitive Examinations

3. Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations 

4. An Advanced Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning for Competitive Exams

5. Objective English For Competitive Examinations

6. Objective Indian Polity

7. Objective Indian History

8. Objective Indian Economy

9. Objective Geography

10. Objective General Science

Checkout the books here. 

Recommended Books for NEET:

1. Objective Biology By Oswal Gurukul

2. Objective Physics By Oswal Gurukul

3. Objective Chemistry By Oswal Gurukul

Checkout the books here. 

Recommended Books for IIT JEE:

1. IIT-JEE Solved Papers- Physics

2. IIT-JEE Solved Papers- Chemistry

3. IIT-JEE Solved Papers- Biology

Checkout the books here. 

Aiming to clear a competitive exam is a big decision. It takes months or years of your time. And we want to help you in every possible way. In fact, we created this article to help you make better and informed decisions. You can write to us if you want us to come up with more such articles. In the meanwhile, prepare well for your upcoming exam(s) and do not forget to share this article with your friends! 

All the best!

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