POSTGRADUATE EXAMS

TOP ENTRANCE EXAMS AFTER GRADUATION (2025)

Are you a graduate and unsure about the next step in your career? Whether you’re looking to pursue a master’s degree or aiming for a stable government job, several entrance exams after graduation can shape your future. These exams are conducted at the national, state, or university level and cover fields such as defence, medicine, management, law, engineering, and more.

Let’s explore the top entrance exams after graduation across various fields.

Defence Entrance Exams After Graduation

A career in the Indian Armed Forces is both prestigious and purposeful. Here are the main defence exams for graduates:

1. AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test)

• Conducted by: Indian Air Force
• Frequency: Twice a year
• Eligibility: Graduates in any stream (specific requirements for technical branches)
• Purpose: Recruitment into Flying, Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) branches
• Website: careerindianairforce.cdac.in

2. UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services Exam)

• Conducted by: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
• Frequency: Twice a year
• Purpose: Entry into IMA, OTA, INA, and AFA
• Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (engineering for INA, physics/maths for AFA)
• Website: upsc.gov.in

3. Indian Army University Entry Scheme (UES)

• For: B.E./B.Tech (Pre-Final Year) male students
• Commission Type: Permanent Commission
• Age Limit: 18–24 years
• Selection: Screening at Command HQ + SSB Interview

✅ Also See: Defence Entrance Exams after Graduation

 Medical Entrance Exams After Graduation

Medical graduates aiming to specialize further can consider the following postgraduate entrance exams:

4. NEET PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – PG)

• Conducted by: National Board of Examinations (NBE)
• Courses: MD, MS, PG Diploma
• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
• Website: nbe.edu.in

5. JIPMER PG Entrance Exam

• Conducted by: JIPMER, Puducherry
• Courses: MD/MS
• Frequency: Once a year
• Mode: Online

6. PGIMER MD/MS Entrance Exam

• Institute: PGIMER, Chandigarh
• Frequency: Twice a year (Jan & July sessions)
• Admission: Based on merit in all-India entrance test
• Website: pgimer.edu.in

✅ Also See: Other PG Medical Entrance Exams

Competitive Exams for Government Jobs After Graduation

If your goal is a secure government job, the following entrance exams can be your stepping stone:

7. UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE)

• Posts: IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, etc.
• Pattern: Prelims, Mains & Interview
• Eligibility: Any graduation degree
• Website: upsc.gov.in

8. SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission – Combined Graduate Level)

• Posts: Assistant, Inspector, Auditor, etc.
• Mode: Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4
• Eligibility: Graduate in any stream
• Website: ssc.nic.in

9. IBPS PO / IBPS SO / IBPS Clerk

• Banking Sector Exams
• Conducted by: Institute of Banking Personnel Selection
• Eligibility: Graduate in any discipline
• Website: ibps.in

Management & MBA Entrance Exams After Graduation

Business-minded students can opt for prestigious MBA and PGDM programs by clearing the following:

10. CAT (Common Admission Test)

• For: IIMs and top B-schools
• Eligibility: Graduation with 50% (45% for SC/ST)
• Website: iimcat.ac.in

11. XAT, SNAP, NMAT, CMAT

• Institutes: XLRI (XAT), Symbiosis (SNAP), NMIMS (NMAT), AICTE (CMAT)
• Mode: Online tests
• Most exams are held between November and January

Law Entrance Exams After Graduation

Aspiring legal professionals can appear for these law exams for post-graduate legal studies or judiciary roles:

12. CLAT PG

• Course: LLM
• Eligibility: LL.B. degree with 50%
• Website: consortiumofnlus.ac.in

13. Judicial Services Exam

• For: Civil Judge Junior Division posts
• Conducted by: State High Courts or PSCs
• Eligibility: LLB degree

Engineering & Science Entrance Exams After Graduation

Engineering and science graduates have specialized exams for higher education and research:

14. GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)

• For: M.Tech, PSU Jobs
• Conducted by: IITs and IISc
• Eligibility: B.E./B.Tech/B.Sc.
• Website: gate.iitkgp.ac.in

15. CSIR-UGC NET

• For: Research and Lectureship in Science
• Subjects: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences
• Website: csirnet.nta.nic.in

Chartered and Financial Exams After Graduation

Commerce and finance students can build careers in auditing, taxation, or finance:

16. CA (Chartered Accountant)

• Conducted by: ICAI
• Stages: Foundation, Intermediate, Final
• Duration: 4-5 years (approx.)

17. CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)

• Conducted by: CFA Institute (USA)
• Levels: 3 levels of exams
• Global recognition

Mass Communication & Media Entrance Exams

For a career in journalism or public relations:

18. IIMC Entrance Exam

• Course: PG Diploma in Journalism
• Conducted by: Indian Institute of Mass Communication
• Website: iimc.nic.in

19. Jamia Millia Islamia Mass Comm Exam

• Programs: MA in Mass Communication
• Eligibility: Bachelor’s in any stream

 Hospitality & Tourism Entrance Exams

For careers in hotel and tourism management:

20. NCHM JEE

• For: B.Sc. in Hospitality and Hotel Administration
• Conducted by: NTA on behalf of NCHMCT
• Eligibility: Graduation for PG Diploma/MBA in Tourism

Design, Performing Arts & Visual Arts Exams

Creative graduates can opt for:

21. NID PG Design Exam (M.Des)

• Institute: National Institute of Design
• Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree

22. FTII Entrance Exam (JET)

• Courses: Direction, Cinematography, Editing
• Institute: Film and Television Institute of India

 FAQs on Entrance Exams After Graduation

Q1. Which is the best government exam after graduation?

UPSC CSE, SSC CGL, and IBPS PO are top-tier exams for government jobs.

Q2. What are the entrance exams after B.Tech?

GATE, IES, CAT, and CDS are excellent options after engineering.

Q3. Are there medical PG entrance exams after MBBS?

Yes. NEET PG, AIIMS PG, JIPMER, and PGIMER are top exams.

Q4. Can arts graduates apply for competitive exams?

Absolutely! They can attempt UPSC, SSC, Bank Exams, CLAT PG, and more.

Q5. Is GATE mandatory for M.Tech admission?

For premier institutes like IITs and NITs, GATE is usually mandatory.

Conclusion

After graduation, students have a wide range of entrance exams for PG courses and government jobs to choose from. Whether you’re targeting a master’s degree or a reputed position in the public sector, strategic planning, preparation, and awareness of exam schedules and eligibility criteria are key to success.

Let your graduation be just the beginning of a brilliant career journey!