Candidates seeking higher education number less than 50,000
The first phase of the national access exam has seen a significant decrease in the number of participants over the past few years. However, recent data indicates that the number of candidates is now similar to what it was in 2018, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels.
Before the exceptional rules of the pandemic, a drop in candidates was already observed in the first phase of the national access exam. This trend continued even during the pandemic, but recent reforms in exam conduct have helped reverse this decline.
One of the key factors contributing to the stabilization of candidate numbers is the implementation of Aadhaar-based authentication to prevent impersonation. This measure was first noted in the SSC Phase XIII exam and has significantly increased exam integrity.
Another significant change is the new exam-first approach for credentialing processes, such as the CDA exam since August 2025. This approach requires candidates to complete all training before applying, streamlining and standardizing candidate readiness.
The return to stable exam administration policies and schedules after temporary shifts to remote or disrupted testing during the pandemic has also played a crucial role in restoring candidates' confidence and reducing fluctuations in exam participation seen during the pandemic years.
These combined efforts have helped explain why the number of candidates taking the initial phase of national exams is returning near to the levels observed before 2018. While no direct source explicitly compares 2025 candidate numbers to 2018 levels, the answer can be inferred from the reforms and exam scheduling trends documented in recent official updates and news regarding post-pandemic exam normalization.
In conclusion, the national access exam is seeing a positive trend with the number of participants returning to pre-pandemic levels. The successful implementation of new measures and policies is restoring candidates' confidence and ensuring a fair and transparent exam process.
The implementation of new measures, such as Aadhaar-based authentication and the exam-first approach, has played a significant role in stabilizing the number of candidates participating in online education platforms like the national access exam. Furthermore, the return to standard exam administration policies and schedules has helped increase candidates' confidence and reduce fluctuations in learning engagement observed during the pandemic years.
