Which Competitive Exam Is Easiest to Crack? Realistic Odds and What Actually Matters

There’s no such thing as an "easy" competitive exam-unless you’ve spent months preparing for it. The question isn’t really about which exam is easiest to crack. It’s about which one matches your skills, background, and willingness to grind. Some exams look simple on paper, but the competition makes them brutal. Others seem tough at first, but if you’re already in the right zone, they’re surprisingly manageable.

SSC CGL: The Most Popular "Easy" Choice

Every year, over 5 million people apply for SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level). That’s more than the population of many countries. But here’s the twist: the pass rate is around 0.5%. So why do so many call it "easy"?

Because the syllabus is predictable. You won’t find obscure topics. The math is high school level-percentages, profit-loss, averages, basic trigonometry. The English section tests grammar and vocabulary you’ve seen since Class 10. Reasoning? Pattern recognition and logic puzzles you can practice in a week. General Awareness? It’s mostly current affairs from the last 6-8 months and static GK like Indian geography, history dates, and constitutional articles.

The real challenge? The sheer number of applicants. But if you’re a graduate with decent English and basic math skills, and you can study 4-5 hours a day for 6 months, your odds jump dramatically. Thousands clear it every year-not because it’s easy, but because it’s learnable.

RRB NTPC: The Quiet Contender

RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories) is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most accessible government exams in India. The exam is for clerk, ticket collector, station master, and other railway jobs. The eligibility? Just a 12th pass. No degree needed.

The syllabus is even simpler than SSC CGL. Math is Class 10 level. Reasoning is straightforward. General Awareness is mostly current events and basic Indian history. The exam has two stages: CBT 1 and CBT 2. CBT 1 is qualifying-so you don’t need to score high. CBT 2 is where the real competition happens, but even then, the cutoffs are lower than SSC CGL because fewer people apply.

In 2024, over 12 million applied for RRB NTPC. But the final selection was around 35,000. That’s still less than 0.3%. Still, if you’re from a rural area, don’t have a college degree, or need a job fast, this is your best shot. Many candidates clear it in their first attempt because the pattern is repetitive and resources are abundant.

UPSC CSE: The Myth of "Easy"

People say UPSC Civil Services Exam is the hardest. And they’re right-but not for the reasons most think. The syllabus is massive. You need to read newspapers daily, remember constitutional articles, understand international relations, and write essays on climate change or digital governance. The interview is brutal. Only 0.1% of applicants make it.

But here’s what no one tells you: if you’re a history or political science graduate, or if you’ve grown up reading newspapers and discussing public policy, UPSC feels less like a test and more like an extension of your habits. One engineer from Jaipur cleared it in his second attempt because he’d been reading The Hindu since Class 11. He didn’t study for UPSC-he lived it.

So is UPSC easy? No. But if your interests align with the exam, it doesn’t feel as hard as it looks. The difficulty isn’t in the content-it’s in the time, consistency, and mental stamina required.

State PSC Exams: The Hidden Goldmine

While everyone’s obsessed with UPSC and SSC, state-level public service commissions (PSCs) fly under the radar. Exams like UPPSC (Uttar Pradesh), BPSC (Bihar), and TNPSC (Tamil Nadu) have far fewer applicants-sometimes just 100,000 to 300,000 per exam.

The syllabus? Mostly the same as UPSC, but focused on your state. History, geography, and current affairs are state-specific. Language papers are in the regional language, which helps if you’re fluent. The competition is lower. The cutoffs are lower. And the posts-like deputy collector, police inspector, or district officer-are just as prestigious as UPSC roles.

For example, in 2023, TNPSC Group 2 had a selection rate of 1.8%. That’s 18 times higher than UPSC. And the preparation time? Most clear it in 8-10 months with part-time study. If you’re from a state with a strong regional language and local awareness, this is your shortcut.

Bank Exams: PO and Clerk-Two Different Worlds

IBPS PO and SBI PO are seen as tough. But IBPS Clerk? That’s a different story. The eligibility is 12th pass. The exam has three sections: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English. No general awareness section. No interview. Just a single online test.

The math is basic-addition, subtraction, percentages, data interpretation. Reasoning is puzzles and seating arrangements you can master with 20 practice sets. English? Reading comprehension and grammar you’ve known since school.

Over 2 million apply for IBPS Clerk every year. But the cutoffs are often under 60 out of 100. And since it’s a clerical job, many candidates treat it as a backup. That means less pressure. If you’re good at basics and can sit for 60 minutes without zoning out, you have a real shot.

What Actually Makes an Exam "Easy"?

It’s not about the exam. It’s about you.

Here’s the real formula:

• Match your strengths-If you’re good at math, go for SSC CGL or bank exams. If you love reading and writing, UPSC or state PSC might suit you.
• Know your starting point-If you’re a graduate, SSC CGL and bank PO are natural. If you’re 12th pass, RRB NTPC or IBPS Clerk are your only realistic options.
• Assess your time-Can you study 6 hours a day for a year? Then UPSC is possible. Only 2 hours a day? Then focus on exams with shorter syllabi like RRB NTPC or IBPS Clerk.
• Check the competition ratio-A 1:1000 ratio sounds scary. But if 90% of applicants are just trying their luck, your real competition is the top 10%.

Many people waste years chasing "prestigious" exams they’re not suited for. They study for UPSC while struggling with basic English. They ignore state PSCs because they think "only UPSC matters." That’s not strategy-that’s ego.

What Not to Do

Don’t pick an exam because your friend cleared it. Don’t follow trends. Don’t assume that because a YouTube channel says "SSC CGL is easy," it’s right for you.

Here’s what actually works:

• Take a free mock test for 2-3 exams. See which one feels natural.
• Check past cutoffs on official websites. Don’t trust blogs.
• Look at the job profile. Do you want to sit in an office? Work in a railway station? Be a police officer? The role matters as much as the exam.
• Count how many attempts you’re willing to make. Some exams allow unlimited tries. Others have age limits.

Final Reality Check

There’s no magic exam. No shortcut. No "easy" way out.

But there is a smart way in.

If you’re a 12th pass student with basic literacy, RRB NTPC or IBPS Clerk gives you the best shot in the shortest time.

If you’re a graduate with decent English and can memorize facts, SSC CGL is your sweet spot.

If you’re passionate about governance, public policy, and can commit 12-18 months, UPSC or state PSC will reward you.

The easiest exam to crack is the one you’re willing to stick with. Not the one that looks easiest on paper.

Next Steps: What to Do Right Now

Stop reading articles. Start doing.

• Go to the official website of SSC, RRB, or your state PSC.
• Download the last 3 years’ question papers.
• Solve one paper under timed conditions.
• Check your score. Which section felt easiest? Which felt impossible?
• Based on that, pick one exam to focus on for the next 90 days.

That’s it. No more comparison. No more "which is easiest?" Just action. The exam that feels least scary to you today is the one you’re most likely to crack.