Top Competitive Exams After Graduation for Government Jobs in India

Last Updated on October 3, 2025 by admin

Want to land a government job in India? This guide covers the best government job exams for graduates across various sectors including administration, banking, and defense. It provides all the details you need including the eligibility criteria, exam structure, and preparation tips for all public sector exams in administration services, banking, and defense so you can best fulfill your public sector career aspirations.

In India, the value, benefits, and prestige of government jobs attract many candidates. Competitive exams, therefore, provide candidates who may be graduates joining the workforce for the first time and those considering a career change, a pathway to the government services. These exams encompass a wide range of job functions, from administration to defense, banking, and finance.

In this guide, we provide an overview of the key government exams you can take after graduation in India. Starting with the UPSC exams, and including the IBPS PO and the SBI PO, we provide all the major exams you can take to land a govt. job after graduation. This guide also provides details on eligibility, exam structure, preparation strategies, and how best to position yourself for success.

UPSC Civil Services Exam: A Gateway to Elite Administrative Roles

What is the UPSC Civil Services Exam?

The UPSC Civil Services Exam is one of the toughest exams in India, serving as the gateway to some of the most prestigious positions in the Indian government, such as Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Educational Qualification: A bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
• Age Limit: 21-32 years (with age relaxation for certain categories). 

Exam Structure

The UPSC exam has three stages: 

• Prelims: Objective-type questions in General Studies and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). 
• Mains: Descriptive-type exams in General Studies, an Optional Subject, and an Essay. 
• Interview: A personality test assessing the candidate’s leadership and decision-making qualities. 

Preparation Tips 

• Divide the syllabus into smaller, manageable parts.
• Read newspapers like The Hindu and Yojana for current affairs. 
• Consistently practice mock exams and previous year’s papers.

SSC CGL Exam: Unlock Government Department Jobs

What is the SSC CGL Exam? 

The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) exam is one of the most popular exams for those aiming for a career in various government departments like Income Tax, Customs, Central Excise, and other ministries.

Eligibility Criteria 

• Educational Qualification: A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. 
• Age Limit: Typically 18-32 years, depending on the post.

Exam Structure 

The SSC CGL exam has four tiers: 

• Tier 1: Objective-type questions covering General Intelligence, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness.
• Tier 2: Descriptive-type tests in Quantitative Abilities and English Comprehension. 
• Tier 3: Descriptive exam with essay writing.
• Tier 4: Skill tests, including Data Entry or Computer Proficiency. 

Preparation Tips 

• Regularly practice quantitative aptitude and reasoning.
• Focus on improving General Awareness with current events.
• Time management is critical in Tier 1, which involves a lot of objective-type questions. 

IBPS PO Exam: A Career in Banking

What is the IBPS PO Exam? 

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the Probationary Officer (PO) exam for recruiting officers in India’s public sector banks. This exam is a prime opportunity for graduates looking to enter the banking sector.

Eligibility criteria The minimum educational qualification is a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. The age limit is 20-30 years (with age relaxation for reserved categories). 

Exam Structure 

The IBPS PO exam consists of: 

• Preliminary Exam: Objective-type questions on English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning. 
• Main Exam: Objective and descriptive questions covering General Awareness, Banking Knowledge, and English. 
• Interview: The final round for selected candidates. 

Preparation Tips 

• A candidate is expected to study the latest banking trends and financial news. 
• He/she should practice reasoning puzzles and quantitative problems. 
• For the English section, he/she should work on grammar, usage, and comprehension. 

SBI PO Exam: Career with India’s Largest Bank  

What is the SBI PO Exam? 

The SBI PO exam is for recruiting officers to the State Bank of India, the largest public sector bank in India. For graduates, this is one of the most sought-after positions in the country. 

Eligibility Criteria 

• Educational Qualification: A graduation degree in any discipline. 
• Age limit: 21-30 years (with relaxation for reserved categories).

Exam Structure 

The exam consists of two parts:

• Preliminary Exam: Objective questions in Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English.
• Main Exam: Objective and descriptive tests in General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, and English. 
• Group Discussion & Interview: The final stage of selection.

Preparation Strategies

• Work on increasing your speed and precision in quantitative aptitude.
• Stay informed about recent updates in the banking sector.
• Devote time to reading comprehension and essay writing for the descriptive paper.

RBI Grade B Exam: A Career in India’s Central Bank

What is the RBI Grade B Exam?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Grade B Officer exam is intended for hiring officers in the RBI. Holding this position is highly prestigious and is considered an outstanding opportunity in India’s central banking system.

Eligibility Criteria

• Educational Qualification: A bachelor’s degree with at least 60% marks.
• Age Limit: 21-30 years.

Exam Structure

RBI Grade B exam consists of three parts:

• Phase 1: Objective questions on General Awareness, English, and Quantitative Aptitude.
• Phase 2: Descriptive exams on Economic & Social Issues and English.
• Phase 3: Interview.

Preparation Strategies

• Focus on the economics and banking area.
• Gateway to Top Business Schools: The CAT Exam

CAT Exam: Gateway to Top Business Schools

What is CAT

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is an entrance exam for top business schools in India, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and is taken by graduates who wish to pursue an MBA and aim for to the best management institutions.

Eligibility

• Educational Qualification: bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks.
• Age Limit: No age limit.

Exam Pattern

The CAT exam consists of three sections:

1. Quantitative Aptitude
2. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
3. Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation

Tips for Preparation

• Work on strengthening your speed in quantitative aptitude and reasoning.
• For the verbal section, focus on vocabulary and reading comprehension.
• Take mock tests regularly to improve your time management skills.

GATE Exam: For Engineers Aspiring for Higher Studies and Jobs

What is GATE

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an exam for graduates in engineering or technology used for admission to postgraduate programs and is also taken for recruitment in public sector companies such as Indian Oil, BHEL, NTPC, etc.

Eligibility

• Educational Qualification: bachelor’s degree in engineering or technology.
• Age Limit: No age limit.

Exam structure

The GATE Exam consists of General Aptitude, which covers verbal ability, reasoning, and mathematics. The other part of the exam is Subject-Specific which consists of questions based on your selected engineering discipline. 

Preparation tips

Make sure to understand the essential fundamentals of your engineering discipline. This will help you greatly. Solve past years’ questions to understand the exam structure. To improve precision and time management, you should take mock exams regularly. 

Defence Exams: Serving the Nation in the Armed Forces

What are the Defence Exams?

The Armed Forces of the Nation provides various competitive examinations for graduates willing to serve in the Army, Navy or Air Force. Armed Forces also includes CDS (Combined Defence Services), AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test, and NDA (National Defence Academy). Defence Exams are for graduates and final year students. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Educational Qualification: This is dependent on the position, but normally a Graduate degree in any field is needed. 
• Age Limit: Most exams have an age limit from 19 to 24 (age relaxation depends on certain categories). 

Exam Structure

• CDS: Objective-type questions on General Knowledge, English, and Elementary Mathematics. 
• AFCAT: Objective type questions on General Knowledge, English, Reasoning, and Aptitude.
• NDA: Mathematics and General Ability, which includes written and objective tests. 

Preparation Tips

• Develop a good understanding of general knowledge and current affairs because this will help you greatly. Regularly practice mathematics and other aptitude problems.
• In regard to physical fitness, this is especially relevant as part of the defence examinations includes a fitness test.

Conclusion

The government jobs in India provides an individual with a career that is both stable and rewarding. This sector provides a number of competitive exams for candidates that provides the option of administration, banking, or finance which are all essential for the defence industry. The UPSC, SSC CGL, IBPS PO, RBI Grade B, CDS, and NDA are examples of government exams candidates to these sectors to pursue.

With the right preparation, candidates can expect to receive a government job.

FAQs

Which government job exam is the toughest in India?

The Justice UPSC Civil Services Exam is regarded as the toughest exam in India on account of its multi-layered selection procedure, expansive syllabus, and intense competition. It calls for sustained efforts in integrated and diverse cross-section of disciplines over several months. 

What is the eligibility for SSC CGL Exam?

To qualify for the SSC CGL exam, one must obtain at least a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. By and large, the age criterion is set from 18-32 years but differs for a few posts, with provisions of age relaxation for candidates of reserved categories.

How can I start preparing for UPSC exams after graduation?

To get started on the UPSC Civil Services Exam your first steps should include: 

• Familiarization with the syllabus and exam formats. 
• Daily newspaper reading for current affairs. 
• Concentration on the core subjects, including General Studies, Ethics, and one Optional Subject. 
• Engagement with previous years’ question papers and mocks.

Can I take multiple government exams together?

Yes, it is possible. A good number of candidates take IBPS PO, SBI PO, and UPSC simultaneously. It requires managing your time properly. In your preparation, try to concentrate on subjects that correspond such as General Studies for UPSC and General Knowledge for the banking exams.

How do I prepare for Defence exams like CDS or NDA?

 For the CDS and NDA exams, subjects such as Mathematics, General Knowledge and English must be prepared for in a focused way.

• Build on your physical fitness, as there are physical tests for these exams.
• To enhance endurance, practice mock papers and do your physical training.
• Stay abreast on topics of national importance, current affairs, and international relations for the General Knowledge area. 

What is the minimum age limit for SBI PO and IBPS PO?

The age limit for both SBI PO and IBPS PO is typically between 20 and 30 years. Age relaxation is granted for candidates from reserved categories (SC/ST, OBC, etc.).

What are the best books for preparing for UPSC exams?

Some of the best books for UPSC preparation include:

• ‘Indian Polity’ by M. Laxmikanth for polity.
• ‘NCERT Books’ for basic understanding of subjects like history, geography, and economics.
• “Economic Survey of India” to identify relevant economic challenges. 
• Yojana Magazine to stay informed about current affairs. 

How much time should I dedicate to UPSC preparation daily?

For the UPSC Civil Services Exams, it is suggested to start by dedicating no less than 6 to 8 hours per day. This may increase as the exam date nears, particularly during the revision period. 

How do I choose the best optional subject for UPSC?

Choosing an optional subject for the UPSC exam depends upon your:

• Interest in the subject. 
• Academics (Choose a subject in line with your graduation field).
• Availability of materials and previous year papers for the subject.

What are the NDA exam subjects?

The subjects for the NDA (National Defence Academy) exam comprises of: Mathematics, which includes, Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics; and the General Ability Test which includes, English, and General Knowledge in the following areas: Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Geography, History, Current Affairs, and General Knowledge. 

Can I go for the Defence exams having a science background?

Certainly, a candidate having a science background qualifies for Defence exams such as NDA, CDS, and AFCAT. As for NDA, the requirement includes completion of the 12th standard accompanied with physics and mathematics as subjects.

What are the best tips for cracking the GATE exam?

• Comprehensively analyze the GATE syllabus, concentrating on your respective branch of engineering.
• Attain previous years’ GATE papers and solve them to gather knowledge of the examination format. 
• Take practice tests to discover weaker areas and enhance your speed in problem-solving.
• Emphasize understanding the principles rather than rote memorization.

Can I clear the UPSC exam on my first attempt?

Yes, numerous candidates have successfully completed the UPSC Civil Services Exam on their initial try. However, this necessitates focused preparation, efficient time management, and unwavering consistency. Prioritize comprehension over memorization and practice with mock tests frequently. 

Is coaching necessary for clearing UPSC exams?

Coaching can indeed assist in providing organization and expert insight. However, self-study can also be effective. Many candidates have passed the UPSC Civil Services Exam through self-study focusing on NCERT books, current affairs, and mock exams.