Finishing your degree is only the first milestone. For lakhs of graduates across India every year, the next big decision is which government exam to prepare for — and that choice shapes the next one to two years of study, and often an entire career.

Government jobs remain highly sought after in India because of job security, structured career growth, structured retirement benefits under applicable service rules, and the social respect attached to roles like IAS, bank PO, or defence officer. But with dozens of exams, overlapping eligibility windows, and constantly shifting notifications, it’s easy for a graduate to feel overwhelmed before they’ve even opened a book.

This guide breaks down the major government exam categories open to graduates in 2026, what each one actually involves, and how to start preparing without wasting your first few months on the wrong exam.

This guide reflects exam structures and eligibility patterns as understood in July 2026. Conducting bodies revise notifications, dates, and eligibility rules every recruitment cycle — always confirm current details on the official website of the relevant recruiting body before applying. (See the Official Websites section near the end of this guide.)

Who Should Read This?

This guide is for you if:

• You’re in your final year of graduation or have recently graduated and are exploring government job options.
• You already know you want a government career but haven’t decided which exam to target.
• You’re currently preparing for one exam but want to understand how it compares to others before committing fully.
• You’re self-studying without coaching and want a clear, honest overview rather than marketing copy.

Overview: The Major Government Exam Categories

Almost every government exam open to graduates falls into one of these broad categories. Here’s what each one covers.

This table is a quick-reference summary, not a substitute for the official notification — stage names, weightage, and cutoffs vary by year and post.

1. UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)

Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, this is the exam behind India’s most well-known government roles: IAS, IPS, IFS, and other Group A/B central services. It’s widely considered the most competitive exam in the country, with a three-stage process — Prelims, Mains, and a Personality Test (interview). Preparation typically takes a year or more, and most successful candidates attempt it more than once.

2. SSC Exams (Staff Selection Commission)

SSC conducts several exams for Group B and C posts in central government ministries and departments — roles like Income Tax Inspector, CBI Sub-Inspector, Auditor, and Statistical Investigator. SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) is the flagship exam for graduates, run in two computer-based tiers (Tier I and Tier II), with no interview stage since 2016. SSC also runs CHSL (for 12th-pass candidates) and other specialized exams.

3. Banking Exams

Banking is one of the most accessible and popular entry points for graduates, with a predictable annual cycle across public sector banks, the Reserve Bank of India, and NABARD. Common exams include:

• IBPS PO / IBPS RRB — Probationary Officer roles across public sector and regional rural banks.
• SBI PO — State Bank of India’s own PO recruitment, run separately from IBPS.
• RBI Grade B — a Reserve Bank of India officer role with a three-stage process (Prelims, Mains, Interview) and strong pay and prestige.
• NABARD Grade A — officer-level roles at India’s apex rural development bank, with stream-specific papers (General, Agriculture, RDBS, and more).
• Cooperative Bank exams — recruitment for state and district cooperative banks, run independently of the IBPS/SBI cycle with their own eligibility and exam pattern.

You can practice full-length mock tests for all of these on Southwide’s Banking exam category.

4. Railway Exams (RRB)

The Railway Recruitment Board conducts some of the largest hiring drives in the country by vacancy count. The RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories) notification alone covers both graduate-level posts (Station Master, Goods Guard, Senior Commercial-cum-Ticket Clerk) and separate undergraduate-level posts open to 12th-pass candidates (Junior Clerk-cum-Typist, Accounts Clerk-cum-Typist, Trains Clerk) — so check which posts you qualify for before applying. RRB Group D (Level 1) requires only a 10th-pass qualification (or ITI equivalent), and Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) requires a relevant ITI/diploma — both distinct from, and not requiring, a graduate degree. Railway exams are known for very high applicant volumes, which makes speed and accuracy in the objective sections especially important.

5. Defence Exams

For graduates aiming for a career in the armed forces as officers, the primary route is the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam, conducted by UPSC, along with AFCAT for the Air Force and various technical entry schemes. These exams combine a written test with physical and medical standards, followed by an SSB (Services Selection Board) interview process. You can practice with Southwide’s Defence exam mock tests.

6. Judicial Services

Law graduates can appear for state Judicial Services Examinations to become a Civil Judge / Judicial Magistrate — one of the few government career paths with a mandatory professional degree (LLB) as a prerequisite. Each state conducts its own exam with its own eligibility rules, syllabus, and vacancy cycle, so preparation is far more state-specific than most other categories. You can practice with Southwide’s Judiciary mock tests.

7. Regulatory Body and PSU Exams

Beyond RBI and NABARD, several regulatory bodies and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) run their own graduate-level recruitment — including insurance companies (LIC, NIACL), and technical PSUs that recruit through GATE scores for engineering graduates. These often combine strong pay with specialized, lower-competition entry points compared to UPSC or SSC.

8. Teaching Exams

CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) and the various state TET exams establish your minimum eligibility to be considered for a government teaching post. Unlike the other exams on this list, CTET/TET is not itself a recruitment exam and passing it does not guarantee an appointment — actual hiring happens through separate recruitment drives run by state education departments or school boards, which TET-qualified candidates then apply and compete for.

Which Exam Should You Choose?

If you’re still weighing your options, here’s a rough starting point based on what you’re drawn to:

• Enjoy administration, policy, and long-form writing? → UPSC Civil Services
• Strong in quantitative aptitude and reasoning, want a predictable annual cycle? → Banking exams (IBPS, SBI, RBI, NABARD)
• Want a central government desk role without an interview stage? → SSC CGL
• Interested in an operational or clerical railway role? → RRB NTPC / Group D
• Law graduate wanting a judicial career? → State Judicial Services
• Drawn to discipline, service, and a defence career? → CDS / AFCAT
• Engineering graduate? → GATE-linked PSU roles, or any of the general graduate-level exams above
• Want to teach in a government school? → Start with CTET or your state’s TET

This is a starting point, not a rule — many successful candidates end up preparing for an exam outside their original comfort zone once they’ve tried a few practice tests.

Eligibility: What’s Common Across These Exams

Exact eligibility varies by exam and post, but most graduate-level government exams share a similar baseline:

• Education: A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university is the minimum requirement for almost all of these exams. A handful — Judicial Services, some PSU roles — require a specific degree (LLB, engineering) rather than “any graduate.”
• Age limit: Most exams set the minimum age around 20-21 and the upper limit somewhere between 27 and 32 for the general category, with age relaxation for OBC, SC/ST, PwBD, and other reserved categories as per government rules.
• Nationality: Indian citizenship is required for almost all of these exams, with some allowing specific categories of foreign nationals of Indian origin under conditions set by the conducting body.
• Final-year candidates: Some exams allow final-year students to apply provisionally, subject to furnishing proof of graduation by a date set in that year’s notification. This isn’t guaranteed across the board — whether it applies, and the exact proof-of-graduation deadline, depends entirely on the specific notification for that recruitment cycle.

Because eligibility rules change and vary by post and category, always cross-check the current year’s official notification before you start preparing for a specific exam.

Exam Pattern: The Common Structure

Most government exams on this list — UPSC, SSC, banking, railways, and defence — follow some version of a multi-stage funnel:

1. Prelims / Tier 1: An objective, computer-based screening test covering Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness. This stage is about speed and accuracy under negative marking.
2. Mains / Tier 2: A deeper test — sometimes still objective, sometimes descriptive (essay, letter writing, domain-specific papers) — that tests subject depth rather than just speed.
3. Interview / Personality Test / SSB: A final round used by UPSC, RBI, NABARD, and defence services to assess suitability beyond the written score. Not every exam has this stage — most SSC and railway exams skip straight from Mains to document verification.

The exact number of stages, weightage, and negative marking rules differ from exam to exam, so treat this as a general map rather than the specific pattern for any one exam.

Syllabus: The Subjects You’ll See Everywhere

Regardless of which exam you eventually choose, these subjects show up across almost the entire government exam landscape, which is exactly why building a strong base early pays off no matter which path you pick:

• Quantitative Aptitude — arithmetic, data interpretation, algebra, and geometry at a school-to-graduate level.
• Reasoning Ability — verbal and non-verbal reasoning, puzzles, seating arrangements, syllogisms.
• English Language — grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, and (for some exams) descriptive writing.
• General Awareness / Current Affairs — static GK plus recent national and international events, often weighted heavily in SSC and banking exams.
• Domain-specific papers — banking and economy for banking exams, General Studies and an optional subject for UPSC, law for Judicial Services, and so on.

Preparation Strategy

A few principles apply no matter which exam you’re targeting:

• Pick a lane before you start. Trying to prepare for UPSC, SSC, and banking simultaneously with the same intensity usually means doing poorly at all three. Choose a primary target based on your interests and eligibility, and treat others as secondary.
• Build fundamentals before speed. Spend the first phase of preparation on concepts — especially quant and reasoning — before shifting focus to timed practice.
• Practice under exam conditions regularly. Full-length, timed mock tests are what actually train you for the pressure of the real exam — reading comprehension speed, calculation shortcuts, and decision-making about which questions to skip.
• Build a current affairs habit early. A daily 20-30 minute habit compounds far better than a last-minute cramming push.
• Revise on a cycle, not once. Spaced revision — going back over the same topics at increasing intervals — is what makes concepts stick for exams that are months away.

Common Mistakes Graduates Make

• Not taking enough mock tests. Reading theory feels productive, but exam-taking is a distinct skill that only mock tests build.
• Ignoring negative marking. Guessing carelessly on objective sections can cost more than leaving a question unanswered — know each exam’s marking scheme before you sit for it.
• Preparing for too many exams at once. Spreading effort thin across unrelated exams (say, UPSC and banking) often means being underprepared for both.
• Never reviewing past attempts. Skipping the post-test analysis — which questions you got wrong, and why — means repeating the same mistakes in the next attempt.
• Waiting for the “perfect” start date. Many aspirants delay starting seriously until a notification is out. Starting your fundamentals early gives you a real head start once the exam calendar is announced.

Editorial Note: This guide is reviewed periodically using official recruitment notifications and conducting-body websites. Because eligibility, vacancies, and exam patterns can change with each recruitment cycle, always refer to the latest notification issued by the relevant recruiting authority before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which government exam is easiest for a graduate to start with?

There’s no universally “easiest” exam — it depends on your strengths. Graduates with strong quant and reasoning often find banking exams a good entry point because of the predictable annual cycle and well-defined syllabus. SSC CGL is a common second choice for the same reasons.

Can I prepare for these exams without joining coaching?

Yes. Many successful candidates prepare through self-study using standard reference books, official syllabi, current affairs sources, and regular mock tests. What matters more than coaching is consistency and honest self-assessment through practice tests.

How many attempts do I usually get?

This varies significantly by exam. UPSC CSE limits attempts by category (with age-based upper limits), while most SSC and banking exams are largely limited only by the age cutoff itself. Always check the specific exam’s official notification for attempt and age rules.

Do I need work experience for any of these exams?

No — nearly all the exams covered here are open to fresh graduates. A few specialized or lateral-entry positions may prefer experience, but that’s the exception rather than the rule.

Is a government job still worth it compared to a private-sector job?

That depends on your priorities. Government roles generally offer stronger job security and structured career growth, along with retirement benefits through the National Pension System or the newer Unified Pension Scheme (most current recruits are no longer eligible for the older pension scheme, which now applies only to those who joined before 2004). Private-sector roles can offer faster salary growth early on. Many graduates prepare for government exams precisely for the stability and long-term security they offer.

Which government exam pays the most at entry level?

It varies by exam and grade, but RBI Grade B, NABARD Grade A, and UPSC Civil Services roles are generally regarded among the higher-paying graduate-level government entry points, thanks to grade pay, allowances, and faster promotion tracks. Exact pay scales are revised periodically, so check the latest official notification for current figures rather than relying on older estimates.

Which government exam has the shortest syllabus?

“Shortest” is relative. Banking prelims and SSC CGL Tier I have a comparatively contained syllabus — quant, reasoning, English, and general awareness — next to UPSC CSE, which spans a vast General Studies syllabus plus an optional subject. That said, depth of preparation and competition level matter more than raw syllabus length when it comes to actually clearing an exam.

Can final-year students apply?

For some exams, yes — subject to that year’s specific notification and a proof-of-graduation deadline. This varies by exam and even by recruitment cycle, so check the eligibility section above and the current notification rather than assuming it applies.

Which exams are best after B.Tech, B.Com, BA, or B.Sc?

Most exams on this list only require “any bachelor’s degree,” so you’re eligible for UPSC, SSC, banking, and railway exams regardless of stream. That said, some backgrounds line up naturally with certain paths: B.Tech graduates often target GATE-linked PSU roles or technical entries in defence and railways; B.Com graduates are well-suited to banking exams and SSC’s accounts-related posts (Auditor, Accountant); BA graduates are eligible everywhere and UPSC in particular tends to draw heavily from humanities backgrounds; B.Sc graduates fit naturally into SSC’s science-related technical posts alongside the general graduate-level exams.

Which government exams have no interview stage?

SSC exams have not included a personal interview since 2016 — selection is based on the written tiers plus document verification. Most RRB (railway) exams follow the same pattern. Banking exams above entry-clerical level (IBPS PO, SBI PO, RBI Grade B, NABARD Grade A) and UPSC CSE do include an interview or personality test as part of selection.

Official Websites

Always verify eligibility, dates, and syllabus directly from the source before applying:

• UPSC — Civil Services Examination and other central services
• SSC — CGL, CHSL, and other Staff Selection Commission exams
• IBPS — PO, RRB, and clerical banking recruitment
• RBI — Grade B officer recruitment
• NABARD — Grade A officer recruitment
• Railway Recruitment Boards — NTPC, Group D, ALP, and other railway exams
• CTET — Central Teacher Eligibility Test

Start Your Preparation Today

Reading about an exam only gets you so far — the fastest way to know where you actually stand is to take a full-length mock test under real exam conditions. Choose your target category and begin with a free, timed mock test:

• Banking Exams — IBPS, SBI, RBI, NABARD, and Cooperative Bank tests
• Civil Services Exam
• Defence Exams
• Judiciary
• Browse All Free Mock Tests

Your first mock test is free to attempt as a guest — no account required.

Government Exam Calendar 2026 covers upcoming UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, Defence, and Teaching exam dates in one place. This page is updated periodically to help aspirants plan their preparation and mock-test schedule.

Last updated: July 2026.

Keeping track of every government exam notification, application window, and exam date across UPSC, SSC, IBPS, RBI, and Railways can be overwhelming. This calendar consolidates the major recruitment exams scheduled for the rest of 2026 (and the earliest 2027 dates already announced) so you can plan your preparation timeline in one place.

Who Should Read This?

Aspirants tracking multiple government exam options — UPSC, SSC, banking, railways, or teaching — who want a single reference for upcoming exam windows instead of checking ten different notification pages.

Upcoming Government Exams: July 2026 Onward

Note on IBPS RRB: “RRB” stands for Regional Rural Bank recruitment conducted by IBPS — a banking exam, not related to Indian Railways. Railway recruitment is handled separately by the Railway Recruitment Boards (see the Railways section below).

Note: RRB NTPC (Graduate and Undergraduate levels) CBT 1 exams for the current recruitment cycle were largely conducted between March and June 2026; candidates should watch the official RRB regional websites for CBT 2 schedules and further stages.

Exam Calendar by Category

UPSC (Civil Services, NDA, CDS)

The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 was held on 24 May 2026, with the Mains scheduled for 21 August 2026. NDA 2 and CDS 2 written exams are both scheduled for 13 September 2026. Explore our Civil Services mock tests and Defence exam mock tests to start preparing, or read our guide to top government exams after graduation for an overview of UPSC’s various services.

SSC (CGL, CHSL, and more)

SSC released the CGL 2026 notification on 21 May 2026, with Tier 1 expected in August-September 2026. SSC CHSL Tier 1 is scheduled between July and September 2026 as per the SSC Calendar 2026-27. Always check the official SSC examination calendar for confirmed dates, since SSC periodically revises its schedule. Browse our full test library as SSC mock tests are added.

Banking (IBPS, SBI, RBI)

Banking recruitment dominates the second half of 2026: IBPS PO Prelims on 22-23 August, SBI PO Prelims in August and Mains in September, RBI Grade B Phase 2 on 25-26 July, and IBPS Clerk and RRB exams running from October 2026 through January 2027. Explore mock tests for IBPS PO, SBI PO, RBI Grade B, IBPS RRB, or the full Banking category.

Railways (RRB NTPC, Group D)

The RRB NTPC 2026 cycle (CEN 06/2025 for graduate-level and CEN 07/2025 for undergraduate-level posts) has been running through the first half of 2026, with CBT 1 exams largely completed by June 2026. Candidates awaiting CBT 2 or further stages should monitor their respective RRB region’s official website, since dates vary by zone.

Teaching (CTET)

CTET’s September 2026 session (Paper 1 and Paper 2) is scheduled for 6 September 2026, with registrations that opened between 11 May and 10 June 2026. Explore our teaching exam mock tests to prepare.

State Government Exams (Andhra Pradesh & Telangana)

Alongside central government exams, several state-level recruitment exams are relevant for AP and Telangana aspirants. Dates for most of these are announced closer to the recruitment cycle — check the official commission websites directly:

• APPSC (Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission) — Group 1, Group 2, and other state services
• TGPSC / TSPSC (Telangana Public Service Commission) — Group 1, Group 2, and other state services
• AP Police recruitment (Constable, SI)
• Telangana Police recruitment (Constable, SI)
• DSC (District Selection Committee) teacher recruitment
• State TET (Teacher Eligibility Test) — AP TET / TG TET

We’ll expand this section with specific dates and dedicated guides as state commissions release their 2026 calendars.

Preparation Countdown

Once you’ve identified your target exam and its expected date, use this general countdown to structure your remaining preparation time:

Adapt the exact timings if you have more or less runway before your exam, but keep the underlying shift from learning to practice to revision. See our daily study timetable guide for how to structure each phase day-to-day.

How to Use This Calendar Effectively

An exam calendar is only useful if you act on it early. Once you identify an exam you’re targeting, work backward from the exam date to plan your syllabus coverage, and begin taking mock tests at least 8-10 weeks before the exam date so you have time to identify and fix weak areas. Set a reminder to re-check the official notification 2-3 weeks before your expected exam date, since government exam schedules are frequently revised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which government exam comes first in 2026?

Based on this calendar, RBI Grade B Phase 2 (25-26 July) is the nearest confirmed exam as of this update, followed by SSC CHSL and CGL in the August-September window.

Which exams overlap in 2026?

UPSC NDA 2 and CDS 2 are both scheduled for 13 September 2026. SSC CHSL and CGL Tier 1 windows also overlap in August-September. Check the full table above before finalising your exam calendar.

Can I prepare for SSC and IBPS together?

Yes. Many aspirants target both since core sections like reasoning and quantitative aptitude overlap significantly, though each has its own specific syllabus areas worth studying separately closer to each exam.

How often is this exam calendar updated?

This calendar reflects officially announced or widely reported dates as of July 2026. Because conducting bodies frequently revise schedules, always confirm the final date on the official notification before your exam.

What happens if an exam date changes?

Conducting bodies typically publish a revised notification or corrigendum on their official website and notify registered candidates via email/SMS. We periodically refresh this page, but the official notification is always the final word.

Where can I find the official exam calendar for each exam body?

UPSC, SSC, IBPS, and RBI each publish their own annual calendars on their official websites — see the Official Websites section below for direct links.

Do all these exams release separate notifications for each stage?

Yes. Prelims, Mains, and any subsequent stages (interview, physical test, document verification) each have their own notification and admit card release, even though the exam calendar lists an approximate cycle.

Official Websites for Exam Notifications

• UPSC Exam Calendar: upsc.gov.in
• SSC Official Calendar: ssc.gov.in
• IBPS Official Calendar: ibps.in
• RBI Opportunities: rbi.org.in
• SBI Careers: sbi.co.in/web/careers
• Railway Recruitment Boards: indianrailways.gov.in (RRB portal)
• CTET Official: ctet.nic.in

Found Your Target Exam?

Now start preparing before the notification rush. Take free mock tests, identify weak areas, and build a study plan around your exam date.

Explore Southwide Mock Tests

India conducts hundreds of competitive exams every year across central government services, banking, railways, defence, teaching, judiciary, and state public service commissions. This list organizes 100 of the most important and widely attempted competitive exams by category, so you can quickly find the ones relevant to your qualification and career goals.

Editorial Note: This list is reviewed periodically to reflect major competitive examinations conducted by central and state recruiting authorities. Recruitment patterns, eligibility, and exam names may change over time, so always refer to the latest official notification.

Who Should Read This?

Students and graduates exploring their competitive exam options who want a single, categorized reference instead of searching for each exam separately.

How This List Is Organized

The 100 exams below are grouped into 11 categories: Civil Services (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Banking, Insurance, Railways, Defence, Judicial Services, Teaching, State Public Service Commissions, Major PSU & Regulatory Recruitment, and Police.

Categories at a Glance

Exams by Qualification

Many aspirants search by what they’re already eligible for rather than by category. Here’s a rough starting point — always confirm exact eligibility on the official notification, since it can vary by post and year.

After 10th

• RRB Group D (eligible posts)
• State Police Constable (where applicable)
• Agniveer entries (subject to notification)
• Other 10th-pass recruitments

After 12th

• SSC CHSL
• NDA
• RRB NTPC (12th-level posts)
• SSC GD
• State Police

After Graduation

• UPSC Civil Services
• SSC CGL
• IBPS PO
• SBI PO
• RBI Grade B
• State PSC
• CDS
• AFCAT

1. Civil Services (UPSC) — Exams 1-10

1. Civil Services Examination (IAS, IPS, IFS and allied services)
2. Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoS)
3. Engineering Services Examination (ESE/IES)
4. Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS)
5. National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA/NA)
6. Central Armed Police Forces Examination (CAPF AC)
7. Combined Medical Services Examination (CMS)
8. Combined Geo-Scientist Examination
9. Indian Economic Service / Indian Statistical Service Examination
10. EPFO Enforcement Officer / Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner Examination

Read our UPSC and top government exams guide · Explore Civil Services mock tests

2. Staff Selection Commission (SSC) — Exams 11-20

11. SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGL)
12. SSC Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination (CHSL)
13. SSC Multi-Tasking Staff Examination (MTS)
14. SSC General Duty Constable Examination (GD)
15. SSC Junior Engineer Examination (JE)
16. SSC Central Police Organization Examination (CPO/SI)
17. SSC Stenographer Grade C & D Examination
18. SSC Junior Hindi Translator Examination (JHT)
19. SSC Selection Post Examination (Phase-wise)
20. SSC Scientific Assistant Examination

Check upcoming SSC exam dates · Browse mock tests

3. Banking — Exams 21-35

21. IBPS Probationary Officer (PO) Examination
22. IBPS Clerk (CSA) Examination
23. IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) Examination
24. IBPS RRB Officer Scale I, II, III Examination
25. IBPS RRB Office Assistant (Clerk) Examination
26. SBI Probationary Officer (PO) Examination
27. SBI Junior Associate (Clerk) Examination
28. SBI Specialist Cadre Officer Examination
29. RBI Grade B Officer Examination
30. RBI Assistant Examination
31. NABARD Grade A & B Examination
32. SIDBI Grade A Officer Examination
33. National Housing Bank (NHB) Officer Examination
34. Cooperative Bank Recruitment Examinations
35. Regional Rural Bank Officer/Clerk Direct Recruitment Examinations

Note: there is no single national cooperative bank exam — cooperative bank recruitment varies by state and institution, so check the specific state cooperative bank’s notification.

IBPS PO mock tests · SBI PO mock tests · RBI Grade B mock tests · IBPS RRB mock tests · Full Banking category

4. Insurance — Exams 36-43

36. LIC Assistant Administrative Officer Examination (AAO)
37. LIC Apprentice Development Officer Examination (ADO)
38. LIC Assistant Examination
39. NIACL Administrative Officer Examination (AO)
40. NIACL Assistant Examination
41. New India Assurance Administrative Officer Examination
42. Oriental Insurance Company Administrative Officer Examination
43. United India Insurance (UIIC) Recruitment Examination

Browse mock tests

5. Railways — Exams 44-51

44. RRB Non-Technical Popular Categories Examination (NTPC)
45. RRB Group D Examination
46. RRB Junior Engineer Examination (JE)
47. RRB Assistant Loco Pilot Examination (ALP)
48. Recruitment for Ticket Collector / Commercial Apprentice posts (RRB)
49. Railway Protection Force Constable Examination (RPF)
50. Railway Protection Force Sub-Inspector Examination (RPF SI)
51. Metro Rail Corporation Recruitment Examinations (Delhi Metro, Mumbai Metro, and others)

Check RRB NTPC and railway exam dates · Browse mock tests

6. Defence — Exams 52-61

52. Indian Army Agniveer General Duty & Technical Entry
53. Indian Army Officer Entry (NDA, CDS, TES, TGC)
54. Indian Navy Agniveer (SSR/MR) Examination
55. Indian Navy Officer Entry (INET)
56. Indian Air Force Agniveer Vayu (X & Y Group) Examination
57. Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)
58. Territorial Army Officer Examination
59. Judge Advocate General Entry Examination (JAG)
60. Military Nursing Service Examination
61. Indian Coast Guard Navik & Yantrik Examination

Defence exam mock tests

7. Judicial Services — Exams 62-66

62. State Judicial Services Examination (PCS-J / Civil Judge)
63. Delhi Judicial Service Examination
64. District Judge (Direct Recruitment) Examination
65. High Court Law Clerk-cum-Research Assistant Examination
66. State Public Prosecutor Recruitment Examination

Browse mock tests

8. Teaching — Exams 67-74

67. Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET)
68. State Teacher Eligibility Tests (UP TET, AP TET, TG TET, and others)
69. UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) for Assistant Professor/JRF
70. Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan Teacher Recruitment Examination (KVS)
71. Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti Teacher Recruitment Examination (NVS)
72. Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board Teacher Examination (DSSSB)
73. State Public School Teacher Recruitment Examinations (District Selection Committee / DSC)
74. Super TET / State Primary Teacher Recruitment Examination

Check CTET exam dates · Browse mock tests

9. State Public Service Commissions — Exams 75-89

75. Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission Group 1 Examination (APPSC)
76. Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission Group 2 Examination
77. Telangana State Public Service Commission Group 1 Examination (TSPSC)
78. Telangana State Public Service Commission Group 2 Examination
79. Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission Combined State/Upper Subordinate Examination (UPPSC)
80. Bihar Public Service Commission Combined Competitive Examination (BPSC)
81. Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission State Service Examination (MPPSC)
82. Rajasthan Public Service Commission Combined Competitive Examination (RPSC)
83. Maharashtra Public Service Commission State Service Examination (MPSC)
84. West Bengal Public Service Commission Civil Service Examination (WBPSC/WBCS)
85. Karnataka Public Service Commission Gazetted Probationers Examination (KPSC)
86. Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission Combined Civil Services Examination (TNPSC)
87. Gujarat Public Service Commission Class 1-2 Examination (GPSC)
88. Haryana Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination (HPSC/HCS)
89. Punjab Public Service Commission Combined Competitive Examination (PPSC)

Browse mock tests

10. Major PSU & Regulatory Recruitment — Exams 90-97

Note: several entries in this category are recruitment routes rather than fixed annual written examinations — recruitment may happen through GATE scores, CBTs, interviews, or other selection methods depending on the specific notification.

90. Securities and Exchange Board of India Grade A Examination (SEBI)
91. ONGC Graduate Trainee Recruitment
92. NTPC Executive Trainee Recruitment
93. BHEL Engineer Trainee Recruitment
94. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) Recruitment
95. GAIL India Executive Trainee Recruitment
96. ISRO Scientist/Engineer Recruitment Examination
97. DRDO CEPTAM Recruitment Examination

Browse mock tests

11. Police — Exams 98-100

98. State Police Constable Recruitment Examination
99. State Police Sub-Inspector Recruitment Examination (SI)
100. Delhi Police Constable & Head Constable Examination

Browse mock tests

Popular Competitive Exams in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana

Since many Southwide aspirants are preparing for state-level exams in AP and Telangana, here are the most commonly attempted ones from the list above:

• APPSC (Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission) — Group 1, Group 2
• TSPSC (Telangana State Public Service Commission) — Group 1, Group 2
• AP Police Constable & SI recruitment
• Telangana Police Constable & SI recruitment
• DSC (District Selection Committee) teacher recruitment
• AP TET / TG TET

How to Choose From This List

With 100 options, most aspirants narrow down based on three factors: your educational qualification (10th, 12th, graduate, or postgraduate), your interest area (administrative, technical, defence, teaching, or judicial), and how much time you have before your target exam window.

Not Sure Which Exam to Choose?

Start by asking yourself:

• What’s my qualification?
• Do I want a central or state government job?
• Administrative or technical role?
• Office or field work?
• How much preparation time do I have?

Your answers to these five questions will typically narrow 100 options down to a handful worth researching in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which exam is best for someone who just graduated?

It depends on your interests and stream, but SSC CGL, IBPS PO, and UPSC Civil Services are among the most commonly attempted first exams for fresh graduates due to their broad eligibility and wide range of posts.

Can I prepare for multiple exams from this list at once?

Yes. Many exams on this list share overlapping syllabi (especially reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and general awareness), making it practical to prepare for 2-3 related exams simultaneously.

Are all these exams open to candidates from any state?

Central government exams (UPSC, SSC, IBPS, Railways, Defence) are open nationwide. State Public Service Commission exams are generally restricted to, or give preference to, domicile candidates of that state, though eligibility differs by state and post — check the specific official notification.

How do I stay updated on notification dates for these exams?

See our Government Exam Calendar 2026 article for upcoming notification and exam windows across most major categories on this list.

Which competitive exam has the highest salary?

UPSC Civil Services, RBI Grade B, and PSU management trainee roles are generally among the higher-paying government options, though total compensation depends on posting, allowances, and seniority.

Which exam is easiest after graduation?

“Easiest” varies by individual strengths, but SSC CHSL and SSC MTS tend to have a comparatively less competitive syllabus than exams like UPSC Civil Services or IBPS PO, since they target lower eligibility tiers.

Which exams have no interview?

Several exams, including SSC CGL for many posts, IBPS PO/Clerk (currently), and most RRB exams, are selected primarily through written stages without a separate personal interview. Always confirm the current selection process on the official notification, since this changes periodically.

Which exams are best for engineers?

Engineering graduates often target SSC JE, RRB JE, ESE/IES, PSU recruitment (ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, GAIL), ISRO, and DRDO, several of which use GATE scores as part of the selection process.

Which exams are best after B.Com?

IBPS PO/Clerk, SBI PO/Clerk, RBI Grade B/Assistant, SSC CGL, and insurance sector exams (LIC AAO, NIACL AO) are commonly pursued by B.Com graduates given the commerce and finance overlap.

Which exams are best after BA?

UPSC Civil Services, SSC CGL, state PSC exams, and teaching exams (CTET, state TETs, if paired with a B.Ed) are commonly pursued by BA graduates, since most of these have broad “any graduate” eligibility.

Which exams are best after B.Sc?

SSC CGL, SSC JE (for relevant streams), banking exams, ISRO/DRDO technical recruitment, and state PSC exams are common paths, with the specific stream (physics, chemistry, computer science, etc.) sometimes opening additional technical posts.

Which exams are conducted every year?

UPSC Civil Services, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, and CTET are generally conducted annually, though exact cycles and vacancy numbers vary by year — always confirm on the official notification.

Ready to Start?

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• Understand the exam pattern
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