Government jobs in India remain one of the most sought-after career paths due to job security, structured growth, social respect, and attractive benefits. With lakhs of candidates competing every year, understanding which government job exams to target in 2026 – along with their career prospects – is crucial for making informed decisions. In this article, we will explore the top 10 Government Job Exams in India, offering detailed insights into eligibility, scope, perks, and long-term career trajectories.
Which are the top 10 Government Exams in India?
The top government exams in India include UPSC CSE, IBPS PO, SBI PO, SSC CGL, RBI Grade B, and more. Government exams are among the most popular career choices in India due to their job security, good salary, and additional perks. Given below 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 |
What are the requirements to appear for the government exams in India?
Candidates are required to maintain the strict age limit, qualification criteria to be eligible for the government jobs 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. The details of the top 10 competitive exams in India that attract lakhs of aspirants every year are given below:
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: ₹48,480/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: ₹56,480/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: ₹33,000 – ₹70,000/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: ₹78,450/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 – ₹35,400; 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: ₹48,480/month
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: ₹24,050/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: ₹30,000 – ₹50,000/month (approx.)
10. RRB ALP Exam
Conducted by Railway Recruitment Board, this exam recruits ALP and Loco Pilots, essential personnel in Indian Railways.
- Eligibility: 12th + ITI/Diploma in relevant trades
- Age Limit: Up to 30 years
- Salary: ₹19,000/month (approx.)
What are the career growth options for the top government jobs in India?
The career growth options vary as per the nature and post a candidate is recruited into. The details are tabulated below:
| Exam / Organisation | Entry-Level Posts | Mid-Level Promotions | Senior / Apex Positions | Career Growth Nature | Long-Term Career Scope & Insights |
| UPSC Civil Services (IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS) | IAS / IPS / IFS / IRS (Junior Scale) | DM / SP / Joint Secretary / Commissioner | Chief Secretary / DGP / Secretary to Govt of India / Ambassador | Fast, authority-driven | Policy-making power, constitutional roles, international postings, post-retirement roles in commissions, PSUs, global institutions |
| SSC CGL (Central Govt Ministries) | ASO, Inspector, Auditor, Accountant | Section Officer, Superintendent, Assistant Director | Director / Joint Secretary level (in some cadres) | Steady & structured | Stable central service, inter-department deputation, foreign postings in MEA & CBDT |
| Banking – IBPS PO / SBI PO | Probationary Officer | Assistant Manager → Branch Manager → AGM | DGM / GM / Executive Director | Performance + seniority based | Leadership roles, overseas branches, transition to RBI/NABARD via experience |
| RRB NTPC (Graduate Posts) | Clerk, Goods Guard, Station Master, Senior Clerk | Chief Clerk, Traffic Inspector, Assistant Operations Manager | Divisional Operations Manager | Seniority-based with exams | High job security, operational authority, PSU lateral entry opportunities |
| RRB Group D / ALP / JE | Track Maintainer, ALP, Junior Engineer | Senior Technician, Loco Pilot, Section Engineer | Divisional Engineer / Safety Officer | Technical ladder | Ideal for technical growth, safety roles, railway PSU absorption |
| RBI Grade B Officer | Grade B Officer | Grade C → Assistant General Manager | Deputy Governor (rare but possible) | Merit + expertise driven | Economic policy influence, IMF/World Bank deputation, elite regulatory roles |
| Defence Exams (NDA / CDS / AFCAT) | Lieutenant / Flying Officer | Captain → Major → Colonel | Brigadier / Major General / Air Marshal | Performance + service based | Command authority, adventure roles, post-retirement corporate & PSU leadership |
| SSC CHSL | LDC, DEO, Junior Secretariat Assistant | UDC → Section Officer (via exams) | Under Secretary level | Exam + experience | Gateway to higher SSC exams, stable clerical-to-officer transition |
| SSC MTS | Multi-Tasking Staff | LDC / Junior Assistant | Section-level staff | Slow but assured | Long-term job security, internal departmental promotions |
| State PSC (State Civil Services) | Deputy Collector, DSP, BDO | Additional Collector, SP, Department Head | Chief Secretary (State) | State-centric authority | Strong regional power, political-administrative interface, high local influence |
| IB ACIO (Intelligence Bureau) | ACIO Grade-II | ACIO Grade-I → Deputy Central Intelligence Officer | Joint Director / Special Director | Confidential & merit-based | Strategic national security roles, sensitive field operations, elite service |
| LIC AAO / Insurance Exams | Assistant Administrative Officer | Administrative Officer → Branch Manager | Zonal Manager / Executive Director | Corporate-style hierarchy | Financial sector leadership, actuarial & policy roles, strong retirement benefits |
FAQs
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, preparing for coaching, self-study, and mocks essential.
Hello! This is Arijit Dutta. I am a skilled Content Writer at Oliveboard with nearly 3+ years of experience in crafting engaging, informative, and exam-focused content for the Railways Domain. With a strong command of language and a keen understanding of learner needs, I contribute significantly to Oliveboard’s mission of delivering high-quality educational resources. Passionate about clear communication and continuous learning, I consistently create content that helps government job aspirants achieve their goals. Outside of work, I enjoy playing cricket and listening to music, which helps me stay balanced and creative in my professional journey.
