Competition is tough in India. Be it a job, a reputed degree, or 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
| Exam | Notification | Submission of Application | Admit Card | Date of Examination | Result |
| SSC CHSL | — | — | 7 days before the exam | 9 Mar – 21 Mar 2023 | To be updated |
| SSC Stenographer | October 2023 | — | February 2024 | March 2024 | May 2024 |
| SSC MTS | — | 17 February 2023 | — | April 2023 | To be updated |
| NDA & NA | 21 December 2022 | — | — | 16 April 2023 | To be updated |
| AIIMS & NEET | — | February 2023 | 4th week of March 2023 | 7 May 2023 | 1st week of June 2023 |
| JEE Main | — | 7 Feb 2023 to 7 Mar 2023 | Last week of March 2023 | 6 Apr – 12 Apr 2023 | To be updated |
| BITSAT (Session I) | 31 Jan 2023 – 9 Apr 2023 | — | 10 May 2023 | 22 May 2023-26 May 2023 (Session I) | To be updated |
| BITSAT (Session II) | 23 May 2023 – 12 June 2023 | — | 16 June 2023 | 18 June 2023 – 22 June 2023 | To be updated |
| Railways (RRB NTPC Exam Date 2023) | February 2023 | April 2023 | May 2023 | June 2023 – Dec 2023(CBT-1 & CBT-2) | To be updated |
| CTET | — | — | — | Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 (tentative) | To be updated |
| CLAT | First week of August 2023 | First week of December 2023 | Dec 2023 | December 2023 | |
| AILET | September 2023 | Third week of November 2023 | Last week of November | Second week of Dec 2023 | Third week of December 2023 |
| KVPY | — | — | — | 22 May 2023 | To be updated |
| NEST | 27 February 2023 | 17 May 2023 | 12 June 2023 | 24 June 2023 | 10 July 2023 |
| NIFT | 1 November 2022 | 31 December 2022 | 3rd week of January 2023 | 5 Feb 2023 | 22 Feb – 24 Feb 2023 |
| SEED | — | 5 Sep 2022 – 4 Jan 2023 | 7 January 2023 | 15 Jan 2023 | 23 January 2023 |
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:
| Exam duration | Tier 1 – 1 hour, Tier 2 – 1 hour, Tier 3 – 15 minutes |
| Exam type | Tier 1 – Online, Tier 2 – Offline, Tier 3 – Offline |
| Total Questions | Tier 1 – 100 MCQs, Tier 2 – Essay writing, Tier 3 – Typing test |
| Subjects Covered | English Language, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, Letter/Application Writing, Essay Writing |
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 are 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 the 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:
| Exam duration | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Exam type | Online |
| Total Questions | 100 MCQs |
| Subjects Covered | General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Knowledge & General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics, and English/Hindi |
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 and the exam stages include a computer-based test and a skill test. The stenographer’s day-to-day responsibilities include 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:
| Exam duration | 2 hours |
| Exam type | Online |
| Total Questions | 200 MCQs |
| Subjects Covered | General English and Intelligence, General Awareness, English Language and Comprehension |
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:
| Exam duration | Paper 1 – 1 hour 30 minutes, Paper 2 – 30 minutes |
| Exam type | Paper 1 – Online, Paper 2 – Offline |
| Total Questions | Paper 1 – 100 MCQs, Paper 2 – Essay writing |
| Subjects Covered | General English, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, General Intelligence and Reasoning |
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:
| Exam duration | General Ability Test – 2 hours and 30 minutes, Maths – 2 hours and 30 minutes |
| Exam type | Offline |
| Total Questions | General Ability Test – 150 MCQs, Maths – 120 MCQs |
| Subjects covered | Current Affairs, Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, General Science and Mathematics |
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, and 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:
| AIIMS | NEET | |
| Exam duration | 3 hours and 30 minutes | 3 hours and 20 minutes |
| Institutes | AIIMS-affiliated institutions in India | All the medical colleges except AIIMS and JIPMER |
| Exam type | Online | Offline |
| Total Questions | 200 Assertion reason and MCQs | 200 MCQs |
| Subjects Covered | Physics, Chemistry, Biology, General Knowledge, Aptitude & Logical Thinking | Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, and Botany |
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:
| Exam duration | 3 hours |
| Institutes | IIITs, NITs, and many other top colleges in India |
| Exam type | Both online and offline |
| Total Questions | 90 MCQs |
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 of 60% marks in individual subjects.
BITSAT Exam Pattern:
| Exam duration | 3 hours |
| Institutes | BITS Pilani |
| Exam type | Online |
| Total Questions | 130 MCQs |
| Subjects covered | Physics, Chemistry, English Proficiency, Logical Reasoning, Mathematics, and Biology |
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:
| Exam duration | Stage 1 – 1 hour, Stage 2 – 1 hour |
| Exam type | Online |
| Total Questions | Stage 1 – 100 MCQs, Stage 2 – 120 MCQs |
| Subjects covered | Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and General Awareness |
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:
| Exam duration | Paper 1 – 2.5 hours, Paper 2 – 2.5 hours |
| Exam type | Online |
| Total Questions | Paper 1 – 150 MCQs, Paper 2 – 150 MCQs |
| Subjects covered | Paper 1 – Child Development and Pedagogy, Language, Mathematics and Environmental Studies, Paper 2 – Child Development and Pedagogy, Language, Mathematics & Science and Social Studies & Social Science |
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 Indian level, AILET is for admission to National Law University(NLU), Delhi only.
CLAT & AILET Exam Pattern:
| CLAT | AILET | |
| Exam duration | 2 hours | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Institutes | 22 NLUs + Private Law Colleges | NLU, Delhi |
| Exam type | Paper-based | Paper-based |
| Total Questions | 150 MCQs | 150 MCQs |
| Subjects covered | English Language, Current Affairs & General Knowledge, and Logical Reasoning | English Language, Current Affairs & General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, and Logical Reasoning |
13. KVPY
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, conducts Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana(KVPY) exam. It is a scholarship program 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:
| Exam duration | 3 hours |
| Institutes | CGU, IIIT, IISER, and many other top colleges |
| Exam type | Online |
| Total Questions | 80 MCQs |
| Subjects covered | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & Biology |
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 5-year integrated M.Sc courses in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics.
NEST Exam Pattern:
| Exam duration | 3 hours |
| Institutes | National Institute of Science Education and Research, Center for Excellence in Basic Sciences, and many other top colleges |
| Exam type | Online |
| Total Questions | 230 MCQs |
| Subjects covered | General Ability, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Biology |
15. NIFT
The National Institute of Fashion Technology conducts an entrance exam to shortlist candidates for admission to fashion design programs.
NIFT Exam Pattern:
| Exam duration | 2 hours |
| Institutes | NIFT |
| Exam type | Online |
| Total Questions | 100 objective questions and one subjective question |
| Subjects covered | Quantitative Ability, Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Analytical Ability, General Knowledge, and Current Affairs |
16. SEED
Symbiosis International University conducts Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (SEED) for admission in their Bachelor of Design(BDes) programs. B.Des is a full-time four-year course with specializations in Fashion Designing, Accessory Designing, Textile Designing, Interior Designing, etc.
SEED Exam Pattern:
| Exam duration | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Institutes | Symbiosis Institute of Design, Symbiosis School of Planning Architecture and Design |
| Exam type | Online |
| Total Questions | 150 MCQs |
| Subjects covered | Visualization, Observational, Perceptual, and Reasoning abilities, Creative and Problem-Solving abilities, Application of Basic knowledge of Science and Mathematics, Art, Craft, Culture, Design, and Environment |
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