Government jobs remain a highly sought-after career choice in India due to job security, lucrative benefits, and career growth opportunities. This guide provides an overview of the major government exams across various sectors, eligibility criteria, and tips for success.
Government Jobs for Fresh Graduates
Fresh out of college and unsure where to start your career? The government sector offers a diverse range of opportunities for fresh graduates. This guide is designed to help you understand the landscape of government exams, identify suitable career paths based on your qualifications, and equip you with the knowledge and resources needed to succeed in your job search.
A detailed guide to acing India’s top government exams in 2025
Table of Contents
1. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
The UPSC conducts some of the most prestigious and challenging exams in India. Visit the official UPSC website for the latest notifications, syllabus, and exam schedules.
Civil Services Examination (CSE)
- Jobs: Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS), and other Group A services.
- Level: National
- Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
- Preparation Tips: Focus on current affairs, general studies, and practice answer writing.
Engineering Services Examination (ESE)
- Jobs: Group A services in various engineering disciplines (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunications).
- Qualification: Engineering degree in the relevant discipline.
- Preparation Tips: Strengthen technical fundamentals and solve previous years’ question papers.
Combined Defence Services (CDS)
- Jobs: Officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- Qualification: Graduation (specific requirements vary for each service).
- Preparation Tips: Focus on English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics.
- National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) Exam
- Jobs: Entry to NDA and NA
- Qualification: 12th pass
- Indian Economic Service (IES) & Indian Statistical Service (ISS)
- Jobs: Economists and Statisticians in government departments
- Qualification: Postgraduate in Economics/Statistics
Stay updated | UPSC Official Website ➡️
2. Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
The SSC recruits for various Group B and C posts in central government ministries and departments.
SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination
- Jobs: Inspectors, Assistant Enforcement Officers, Sub-Inspectors, Auditors, Accountants, and more.
- Qualification: Bachelor’s degree.
SSC Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) Examination
- Jobs: Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC)/ Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant, Data Entry Operators (DEO).
- Qualification: 12th pass
SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) Examination
- Jobs: Non-technical Group C positions in various government offices.
- Qualification: 10th pass
SSC Junior Engineer (JE) Examination
- Jobs: Junior Engineers in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Quantity Surveying & Contracts.
- Qualification: Diploma/Degree in relevant engineering disciplines.
SSC Stenographer Grade C & D Examination
- Jobs: Stenographers in various ministries and departments.
- Qualification: 12th pass
Discover more | SSC Official Website ➡️
3. Banking & Insurance Exams
These exams recruit for positions in public sector banks and insurance companies.
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Exams
- IBPS PO (Probationary Officer): Management level roles in banks.
- IBPS Clerk: Clerical and administrative roles.
- IBPS Specialist Officer (SO): Specialist roles like IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, etc.
- Eligibility: Graduate
- Preparation Tips: Master reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and banking awareness.
State Bank of India (SBI) Exams
- SBI PO: Probationary Officer positions in SBI.
- SBI Clerk: Clerical roles in SBI.
- Eligibility: Graduate
- Preparation Tips: Master reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and banking awareness.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Exams
- RBI Grade B Officers: Managerial positions in RBI.
- RBI Assistant: Clerical/Assistant positions in RBI.
Insurance Sector Exams
Conducted by individual insurance companies like
- LIC (Life Insurance Corporation): AAO (Assistant Administrative Officer), ADO (Apprentice Development Officer).
- NIACL (New India Assurance Company Limited): AO (Administrative Officer)
Explore more | IBPS Website | SBI Website | RBI Website | LIC Website
4. Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Exams
The RRB conducts exams for various positions in Indian Railways.
RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories)
- Jobs: Non-technical positions like Station Master, Clerk, Goods Guard
- Qualification: 12th pass/Graduate
RRB Group D
- Jobs: Track Maintainer, Helper, Assistant Pointsman, etc.
- Qualification: 10th pass/ITI.
RRB Junior Engineer (JE)
- Jobs: Technical roles in Railways
- Qualification: Engineering Diploma/Degree
Learn more | RRB Official Website ➡️
5. State Government Exams
Each state in India has its own Public Service Commission (PSC) that conducts exams for state government jobs. These exams vary from state to state. Check the respective state PSC websites for detailed information.
State Public Service Commission (PSC) Exams
- Jobs: State Administrative, Police, and Forest Services
- Eligibility: Graduate
Subordinate Services Exams
- Jobs: Clerical and administrative roles in state departments
- Eligibility: Varies
Find Out More | State Public Service Commissions (PSCs) Websites ➡️
6. Defence and Paramilitary
CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) Assistant Commandant Examination (UPSC)
- Jobs: Assistant Commandants in CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB.
- Qualification: Bachelor’s degree.
Agniveer Recruitment (Army, Navy, Air Force)
- Jobs: Short-term service in the armed forces.
- Qualification: 10th/12th pass (varies by trade).
Journey Onward | UPSC | Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Airforce
7. Teaching and Academic Jobs
Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET)
- Conducted by CBSE for teachers in central government schools.
State TET (Teacher Eligibility Test)
- Conducted by respective state governments for teachers in state government schools.
UGC NET (National Eligibility Test)
- Conducted by NTA for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
8. UGC’s Unified Recruitment System – CUREC
UGC Unified Recruitment System
The UGC Unified Recruitment System is a centralized platform for recruitment in Indian universities, encompassing teaching and academic positions.
- Roles Offered:
- Faculty: Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor.
- Non-teaching: Administrative and technical positions in universities.
9. Other Notable Exams
Indian Post GDS/PA/SA Exams
- For Gramin Dak Sevak, Postal Assistant, and Sorting Assistant positions.
Food Corporation of India (FCI) Exams
- For various managerial and assistant-level positions.
ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation) Exams
- For UDC, MTS, and Stenographer positions.
DRDO CEPTAM
- For technical, scientific, and administrative roles in DRDO.
ISRO Recruitment
- For scientists, engineers, and other technical staff in ISRO.
Journey Onward | ISRO | DRDO | FCI | Indian Post
Key Strategies for Government Job Aspirants
- Stay Updated: Regularly check official websites for notifications, syllabus, and exam dates.
- Plan Your Preparation: Create a study plan based on the exam syllabus and your strengths and weaknesses.
- Practice Regularly: Solve previous years’ question papers and take mock tests.
- Focus on Current Affairs: Stay informed about national and international events.
- Improve Your General Knowledge: Build a strong foundation in history, geography, polity, and economics.
See More | How to Prepare Govt Jobs : A Complete Guide