This answer is about the Civil Service Exam conducted by the UPSC
The syllabus is not very tough. In fact it is pretty easy, I should say. However, the exam is tough in the following aspects.
- Vastness of the Syllabus: The number of topics that you will have to cover can almost drown you. After some time you might not know the end of it. It is humbling and frightening at the same time.
- Competition: Almost a million people apply for the prelims every year. Only a thousand get selected. Need I say more?
- A wide range of skills: You are tested for a wide range of skills like reading, writing, time management, comprehension, aptitude, logical reasoning, language, personality etc. You need to have a rounded personality to make it to the other side.
- Luck: Unless you have a fair amount of luck, you don’t stand a chance. Every single mark counts and even within the same marks the subject in which you score those marks too is important in determining your rank.
- Test of your Grit and Determination: When you are fighting against odds like this, unless you really have the grit and determination to see it to the end, you won’t make it.
All these factors goes on to make or mar an aspirant. Hence many perceive it as tough.