UPSC vs. IIT JEE: Anand Mahindra weighs in on exam toughness debate

Business tycoon Anand Mahindra recently delved into a discourse sparked by the film "12th Fail," expressing how it led him to investigate the challenges faced by aspirants preparing for exams. Mahindra, who had previously commended actor Vikrant Massey's performance in the film, shared insights from an IIT graduate engaged in a startup and UPSC exams. The revelation raised debates on the relative difficulty of the two prestigious exams.

Seeking Insights from Aspirants

After watching "12th Fail," Mahindra, intrigued by the narrative of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma's journey from poverty to becoming a police officer, reached out to the aspirant community. He revealed, "After seeing '12th Fail,' I checked around and spoke to a number of young people about the relative difficulty of our entrance exams." A conversation with an IIT graduate, who also took the UPSC exam, left a lasting impression.



"He stated EMPHATICALLY that UPSC is much tougher than the IIT JEE," Mahindra emphasized on X. Drawing from this, he shared a post spotlighting the world's toughest exams, where IIT JEE ranked second, UPSC third, and GATE eighth. Mahindra suggested a potential need for global rankings to reflect this feedback if proven true.

Differing Opinions on Social Media

The post stirred diverse opinions among X users, showcasing varying perspectives on the challenges posed by UPSC and IIT JEE. User Neetu Khandelwal (@T_Investor_) echoed her relative's sentiment, describing UPSC as the 'mother of all exams.'

In contrast, government official Rahman Sheikh (@rahmanology) pointed out the three-stage structure of UPSC, emphasizing the competition's intensity. He remarked, "One small mistake and you are out of the race. But if the difficulty level of question papers is compared, of course, JEE is much tougher."

As discussions on the toughness of UPSC versus IIT JEE continue, Anand Mahindra's exploration into the matter sheds light on the diverse opinions within the aspirant community. The discourse not only highlights the challenges faced by individuals aiming for these prestigious exams but also emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of the intricacies that make each examination unique.