In short: If you have graduated (or will graduate soon) and want a government job, this page lists the 20 most important exams you should know about. For each exam: what posts it recruits for, eligibility, age limit, salary range, exam pattern, typical exam month, and how long to prepare. No fluff — just the reference chart you need to plan your government exam journey.
How to Use This Page
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Scan the full list to understand what is available |
| 2 | Filter by your eligibility (any graduate vs specific degree) |
| 3 | Note the exam months — start preparation 6-12 months before |
| 4 | Pick 2-3 exams with overlapping syllabus to maximise chances |
| 5 | Bookmark this page and check back for updated dates |
The 20 Exams — Quick Reference Table
| # | Exam | Conducting Body | Posts | Min Qualification | Age Limit | Salary Range (₹/month) | Exam Period (Typical) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UPSC Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS) | UPSC | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, IRTS + 20 more | Any graduation | 21-32 (Gen), relaxation for OBC/SC/ST | ₹56,100 - 2,50,000 | Prelims: May-June, Mains: Sep-Oct |
| 2 | SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) | SSC | Tax Inspector, Auditor, Sub-Inspector, Statistical Investigator | Any graduation | 18-32 (varies by post) | ₹25,500 - 1,51,100 | Tier 1: March-April, Tier 2: June-July |
| 3 | SSC CHSL (10+2 Level) | SSC | LDC, DEO, Postal Assistant, Court Clerk | Class 12 pass (but graduates dominate) | 18-27 (Gen) | ₹19,900 - 63,200 | Tier 1: March-May |
| 4 | IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) | IBPS | PO in 11 public sector banks | Any graduation | 20-30 (Gen) | ₹52,000 - 95,000 (with perks) | Prelims: Oct, Mains: Nov |
| 5 | SBI PO | SBI | PO in State Bank of India | Any graduation | 21-30 (Gen) | ₹54,000 - 1,00,000 (with perks) | Prelims: Nov-Dec, Mains: Jan |
| 6 | IBPS Clerk | IBPS | Clerk in public sector banks | Any graduation | 20-28 (Gen) | ₹28,000 - 55,000 | Prelims: Aug-Sep, Mains: Oct |
| 7 | RBI Grade B | RBI | Officers in Reserve Bank of India | Any graduation (60% marks) | 21-30 (Gen) | ₹77,208 (starting, with perks 1.5L+) | Phase 1: March, Phase 2: April |
| 8 | RRB NTPC (Non-Technical) | RRB | Station Master, Ticket Examiner, Goods Guard, Commercial Apprentice | Any graduation | 18-33 (varies by post) | ₹19,900 - 35,400 (Level 2-6) | CBT-1 and CBT-2: Varies (check calendar) |
| 9 | RRB Group D | RRB | Track Maintainer, Helper, Pointsman | Class 10 pass (graduates apply too) | 18-33 (Gen) | ₹18,000 - 22,000 | Varies |
| 10 | State PSC (UPPSC/BPSC/MPPSC etc.) | State PSCs | SDM, DSP, State Tax Officer, BDO, Naib Tehsildar | Any graduation | 21-40 (varies by state) | ₹44,900 - 2,09,200 (varies) | Varies by state (check respective PSC) |
| 11 | NDA (National Defence Academy) | UPSC | Army, Navy, Air Force officers | Class 12 pass (but graduates can also apply) | 16.5 - 19.5 | ₹56,100 (starting) + allowances | April and September |
| 12 | CDS (Combined Defence Services) | UPSC | Army, Navy, Air Force, OTA | Any graduation (specific degrees for Navy/Air Force) | 19-25 (varies by academy) | ₹56,100 (starting) + allowances | April and September |
| 13 | CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) | UPSC | Assistant Commandant in BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB | Any graduation | 20-25 (Gen) | ₹56,100 (starting) + allowances | Varies |
| 14 | UGC NET | NTA | Assistant Professor, JRF (research fellowship) | Post-graduation (55% marks) | No upper age limit (for AP), JRF: 30 (Gen) | ₹57,700 (AP starting) / JRF: ₹31,000 + HRA | June and December |
| 15 | CTET / State TET | CBSE / States | Teacher (Class 1-5 or 6-8) in govt schools | Graduation + B.Ed (or D.El.Ed for primary) | No upper age limit (most states) | ₹35,000 - 50,000 (varies by state) | CTET: Jan and July. State TETs: varies |
| 16 | SSC MTS (Multi Tasking Staff) | SSC | Peon, Daftary, Jamadar, Junior Gestetner Operator | Class 10 pass | 18-25 (Gen) | ₹18,000 - 22,000 | Usually April-June |
| 17 | EPFO (SSA/APFC) | UPSC/SSC | Enforcement Officer, Accounts Officer in EPFO | Any graduation (with Accounts/Commerce preferred for some posts) | 21-30 (Gen) | ₹44,900 - 1,42,400 | As notified |
| 18 | FCI (Food Corporation of India) | FCI | Manager, AG-II, AG-III | Graduation (specific degree for some posts) | 18-28 (Gen) | ₹30,000 - 1,20,000 (varies by grade) | As notified |
| 19 | Insurance (LIC AAO / NIACL AO) | LIC/NIACL | Administrative Officer, Assistant | Any graduation | 21-30 (Gen) | ₹50,000 - 80,000 (with perks) | Varies |
| 20 | GATE (for PSU recruitment) | IITs/IISc | Engineer/Officer in NTPC, IOCL, GAIL, BHEL, ONGC, PGCIL | B.Tech/B.E. (specific branch) | Varies by PSU (25-30 typical) | ₹40,000 - 1,80,000 (varies by PSU and grade) | February |
Eligibility at a Glance — Which Exams Can You Take
Any Graduate (BA/BSc/BCom/BCA/BBA — Any Stream)
| Exam | Notes |
|---|---|
| UPSC Civil Services | Any degree from recognized university |
| SSC CGL | Any degree |
| SSC CHSL | 12th pass minimum (graduates dominate) |
| IBPS PO / SBI PO | Any degree |
| IBPS Clerk | Any degree |
| RRB NTPC | Any degree (for higher posts) |
| State PSC | Any degree (some posts need specific subjects) |
| CDS | Any degree for OTA; specific for INA/AFA |
| CAPF | Any degree |
| EPFO (SSA) | Any degree |
| LIC AAO | Any degree |
Specific Degree Required
| Exam | Required Degree |
|---|---|
| RBI Grade B | Any graduation with minimum 60% |
| UGC NET | Post-graduation with 55% (50% for reserved) |
| CTET | Graduation + B.Ed or D.El.Ed |
| GATE (PSUs) | B.Tech/B.E. in relevant branch |
| NDA | 12th pass (Physics + Maths for Air Force/Navy) |
| FCI (Manager) | Graduation (specific degree for technical posts) |
Practice any chapter on Padhaao
AI tutor for CBSE, ICSE & 15 state boards · 10 learning modes · 3 free chapters daily
Exam Calendar 2027 — Month-Wise Planning
| Month | Exams Typically Held |
|---|---|
| January | CTET (Session 1), SBI Clerk Mains |
| February | GATE, RBI Grade B notification |
| March | SSC CGL Tier-1 begins, RBI Grade B Phase 1, UGC NET (possible) |
| April | SSC CGL continues, NDA-1, CDS-1, State PSC Prelims (some states) |
| May | UPSC Prelims, SSC CHSL begins |
| June | UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL Tier-2, UGC NET (Session 1), State PSC Prelims |
| July | CTET (Session 2), IBPS PO notification, RRB NTPC (possible) |
| August | IBPS Clerk Prelims |
| September | UPSC Mains, NDA-2, CDS-2, State PSC Mains (some states) |
| October | IBPS PO Prelims, SSC MTS |
| November | IBPS PO Mains, SBI PO Prelims |
| December | UGC NET (Session 2), SBI PO Mains, State PSC (various) |
Note: Exact dates vary each year. Always check the official website of the conducting body for confirmed dates.
Overlapping Syllabus — Smart Preparation Strategy
Many exams share syllabus. Preparing for one helps in others:
| Syllabus Area | Exams That Test It |
|---|---|
| General Awareness / Current Affairs | UPSC, SSC CGL, IBPS PO, SBI PO, RRB NTPC, State PSC, RBI Grade B |
| Quantitative Aptitude / Maths | SSC CGL, IBPS PO, SBI PO, RRB NTPC, IBPS Clerk |
| English Language | SSC CGL, IBPS PO, SBI PO, IBPS Clerk, RBI Grade B, UPSC (Essay/English Qualifying) |
| Reasoning / Logic | SSC CGL, IBPS PO, SBI PO, RRB NTPC, IBPS Clerk |
| General Studies (History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science) | UPSC, State PSC, SSC CGL, NDA, CDS, CAPF |
| Economics / Finance | RBI Grade B, UPSC (Economy optional/GS), EPFO |
| GATE subjects | GATE, PSU recruitment |
| Pedagogy / Education | CTET, State TET, UGC NET (Paper 1) |
Recommended Exam Combinations (Prepare Together)
| Combination | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| SSC CGL + IBPS PO + SBI PO | 80% syllabus overlap (Quant, English, Reasoning, GK) |
| UPSC + State PSC | GS syllabus is 70% common; state PSC adds state-specific content |
| NDA + CDS + CAPF | Defence exams share GK, English, and Maths syllabus |
| UGC NET + State TET | Paper 1 (teaching aptitude, research aptitude) overlaps |
| RBI Grade B + IBPS PO + SEBI | Banking and economics syllabus overlaps |
Preparation Timeline — How Long for Each
| Exam | Recommended Preparation Time | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC Civil Services | 12-18 months (full-time) | Very High |
| SSC CGL | 6-10 months | Moderate-High |
| IBPS PO / SBI PO | 4-6 months | Moderate |
| RBI Grade B | 6-8 months | High |
| State PSC | 10-14 months | High |
| NDA / CDS | 4-6 months | Moderate |
| UGC NET | 3-6 months | Moderate |
| CTET | 2-3 months | Low-Moderate |
| SSC CHSL | 3-5 months | Moderate |
| RRB NTPC | 3-5 months | Moderate |
| GATE | 6-10 months | High |
Salary Comparison Chart
| Exam | Starting In-Hand (approx. ₹/month) | After 10 Years (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC (IAS) | ₹80,000 - 1,00,000 | ₹1,50,000 - 2,50,000 |
| SSC CGL (Tax Inspector) | ₹40,000 - 52,000 | ₹70,000 - 1,00,000 |
| IBPS PO / SBI PO | ₹52,000 - 60,000 | ₹85,000 - 1,20,000 |
| RBI Grade B | ₹1,00,000 - 1,50,000 | ₹2,00,000 - 3,00,000 |
| State PSC (SDM level) | ₹56,000 - 70,000 | ₹1,00,000 - 1,80,000 |
| NDA/CDS (Army Officer) | ₹56,000 + allowances | ₹1,20,000 - 1,80,000 |
| RRB NTPC (Station Master) | ₹30,000 - 42,000 | ₹55,000 - 80,000 |
| GATE (PSU Engineer) | ₹50,000 - 80,000 | ₹1,00,000 - 1,80,000 |
| UGC NET (Asst. Professor) | ₹57,700 + allowances | ₹1,00,000 - 1,50,000 |
| CTET (Govt Teacher) | ₹35,000 - 50,000 | ₹60,000 - 90,000 |
Salary figures are approximate and include basic pay + DA. Actual in-hand varies by city, HRA, and allowances.
Age Limit Summary (General Category)
| Age Range | Exams |
|---|---|
| Up to 25 | NDA (16.5-19.5), CDS (19-25), CAPF (20-25), SSC MTS (18-25) |
| Up to 27-28 | SSC CHSL (18-27), IBPS Clerk (20-28) |
| Up to 30 | IBPS PO (20-30), SBI PO (21-30), RBI Grade B (21-30), JRF (30), CDS OTA (19-25) |
| Up to 32 | SSC CGL (18-32 for some posts), UPSC (21-32) |
| Up to 33+ | RRB NTPC (18-33), State PSC (up to 40 in some states) |
| No upper limit | CTET, UGC NET (for Assistant Professor) |
OBC gets +3 years, SC/ST gets +5 years relaxation in most central exams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which is the easiest government exam after graduation? SSC CHSL and RRB Group D have the lowest difficulty level, but competition is intense due to massive applicant numbers. CTET is considered moderate in difficulty with relatively less competition for reserved category candidates. "Easy" is relative — consistent preparation matters more than perceived difficulty.
Q2. Can I prepare for multiple exams simultaneously? Yes, and you should. SSC CGL, IBPS PO, and SBI PO have overlapping syllabus. Preparing for SSC CGL covers 80% of the preparation needed for banking exams. Similarly, UPSC preparation automatically covers State PSC and CDS syllabus.
Q3. Do I need coaching for government exams? Not mandatory. Many toppers prepare entirely through self-study using YouTube, free test series, and standard books. Coaching helps with structured schedule and peer motivation, but the material is freely available. Start self-study first and add coaching only if you feel stuck after 2-3 months.
Q4. Which exam has the highest salary? RBI Grade B offers the highest starting package among the exams in this list (₹1.5L+ per month with perks). UPSC IAS officers have modest starting salary but the fastest growth and highest designation power. GATE PSU roles (ONGC, IOCL, NTPC) also offer excellent packages.
Q5. I am from Arts/Humanities. Which exams can I give? Almost all exams in this list are open to any graduate — including UPSC, SSC CGL, IBPS PO, State PSC, CDS, CAPF, and CTET. Only GATE requires a specific engineering degree. Your stream does not limit your options.
Q6. What if I am over 30? Which exams are still available? SSC CGL (some posts up to 32), RRB NTPC (up to 33), State PSC (up to 35-42 depending on state), CTET (no upper limit), UGC NET for Assistant Professor (no upper limit). OBC/SC/ST candidates get additional relaxation.
₹21/mo (annual plan)
Padhaao covers 17,000+ chapters across 17 boards
Your exact syllabus. 10 learning modes. 3 free daily. Pro for unlimited - ₹21/month (annual plan).
Want the full chapter with solved examples?
10 learning modes. Board-specific content. 3 free chapters every day.
Try it free