For many graduates and final-year students, securing a government job is a top career goal. Government jobs in India are highly preferred due to their stability, good pay, allowances, and long-term benefits. Every year, lakhs of candidates appear for competitive exams to secure positions in various government departments. If you’re planning to enter this sector, it’s important to know which exams offer the best opportunities. In this blog, we have listed the top 10 government exams in India that offer rewarding careers across different sectors.
Top 10 Government Exams in India
Government exams are among the most popular career choices in India due to their job security, good salary, and additional perks. Here is a list of the top 10 government exams that aspirants across the country prepare for every year.
| Exam Name | Conducted By | Posts Offered | Eligibility | Selection Stages |
| UPSC CSE | Union Public Service Commission | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, Group A & B Services | Graduation | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| IBPS PO | Institute of Banking Personnel | Probationary Officer in PSU Banks | Graduation | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| SBI PO | State Bank of India | Probationary Officer | Graduation | Prelims, Mains, GD/Interview |
| SSC CGL | Staff Selection Commission | Group B & C Officer-level Posts | Graduation | Tier I, Tier II |
| RBI Grade B | Reserve Bank of India | Manager/Grade B Officer | Graduation with 60% | Phase I, Phase II, Interview |
| RRB JE/SSE | Railway Recruitment Board | Junior Engineer, Senior Section Engineer | Diploma/Engineering Degree | CBT Stage I & II, Document Verification |
| IBPS SO | Institute of Banking Personnel | Specialist Officers (IT, Law, HR, Agri, etc.) | Graduation + Domain Specific | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| IBPS Clerk | Institute of Banking Personnel | Clerical Cadre in PSU Banks | Graduation | Prelims, Mains |
| SSC CHSL | Staff Selection Commission | LDC, DEO, Postal Assistant | 12th Pass | Tier I, Tier II, Typing Test |
| RRB ALP | Railway Recruitment Board | Assistant Loco Pilot | 10th + ITI / Diploma | CBT I, CBT II, CBAT, Document Verification |
Top 10 Government Exams in India
Government exams offer some of the most secure and prestigious job opportunities in India. Whether you’re aiming for administrative services, banking, or railway jobs, these exams serve as gateways to promising careers in the public sector. Here’s a detailed overview of the top 10 competitive exams in India that attract lakhs of aspirants every year.
1. UPSC Civil Services Examination
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts this exam to recruit officers for elite services like IAS, IPS, and IFS. It is one of the most prestigious and toughest exams in India.
- Posts: IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, etc.
- Eligibility: Bachelor’s Degree
- Age Limit: 21–32 years
- Salary: ₹1,20,000 – ₹2,50,000/month
2. IBPS PO Exam
Conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to recruit Probationary Officers in public sector banks. It is ideal for those aspiring for managerial roles in banking.
- Eligibility: Graduation
- Age Limit: Up to 30 years
- Salary: ₹45,000/month (approx.)
3. SBI PO Exam
State Bank of India (SBI) conducts this exam to recruit Probationary Officers for various branches across India. It is known for higher pay and career growth.
- Eligibility: Graduation
- Age Limit: 21–30 years
- Salary: ₹45,000/month (approx.)
4. SSC CGL Exam
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam to recruit for Group B and C posts in various government departments and ministries.
- Posts: Inspectors, Assistants, Statistical Investigators, etc.
- Eligibility: Bachelor’s Degree
- Age Limit: 18–32 years
- Salary: ₹30,000 – ₹65,000/month
5. RBI Grade B Examination
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducts this national-level exam to recruit Grade B officers in its managerial cadre.
- Eligibility: Graduation with 60%
- Age Limit: 21–30 years
- Salary: ₹68,000/month (approx.)
6. RRB JE/SSE Examination
Conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board, this exam hires engineers for technical posts in Indian Railways.
- Posts: Junior Engineer, Senior Section Engineer
- Eligibility: Diploma/B.Tech
- Age Limit: JE – 18–33 yrs; SSE – 20–34 yrs
- Salary: JE – ₹42,000; SSE – ₹45,000/month
7. IBPS SO Exam
This exam recruits Specialist Officers in banks for technical and professional roles.
- Posts: IT Officer, HR, Law, Marketing, Agriculture, Rajbhasha Adhikari
- Eligibility: Graduation/Postgraduation in respective fields
- Age Limit: 20–30 years
- Salary: ₹42,000 – ₹51,000/month (Scale I–III)
8. IBPS Clerk Exam
This exam is for office-level posts in public sector banks. Clerks manage customer interaction and administrative tasks.
- Eligibility: Graduation
- Age Limit: 20–28 years
- Salary: ₹20,000/month (approx.)
9. SSC CHSL Exam
Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) is conducted for 12th pass candidates to fill clerical roles in central departments.
- Posts: LDC, DEO, Postal Assistant
- Eligibility: 12th Pass
- Age Limit: 18–27 years
- Salary: ₹20,000/month (approx.)
10. RRB ALP Exam
Conducted by Railway Recruitment Board, this exam recruits Assistant Loco Pilots (ALP) and Loco Pilots, essential personnel in Indian Railways.
- Eligibility: 12th + ITI/Diploma in relevant trades
- Age Limit: Up to 30 years
- Salary: ₹24,000/month (approx.)
Top Government Exams in India
Ans. UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is considered the most prestigious exam, offering top posts like IAS, IPS, and IFS.
Ans. UPSC CSE, SSC CGL, IBPS PO, SBI PO, and RBI Grade B are the top exams preferred by graduates.
Ans. Yes, RBI Grade B offers higher salary, prestige, and a central banking profile, making it more competitive than IBPS PO.
Ans. Yes, most government exams like UPSC, SSC CGL, IBPS allow final-year students to apply, provided they meet eligibility at the time of document verification.
Ans. Very competitive. Lakhs of candidates appear each year, making preparation through coaching, self-study, and mocks essential.
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Hello, I’m a content writer working at Oliveboard. I focus on creating blogs, articles, and educational content that’s simple, clear, and saves time for readers. I believe in writing that adds real value without overcomplicating things. I also have strong knowledge of banking and government exams, which helps me create content that is both accurate and easy to understand. With experience and consistency, I aim to make preparation smoother for every learner.
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