According to officials, the rise in number of registrations is due to the new format of NET. However, registrations from Mumbai saw only a marginal increase of 1,400 aspirants.

Dr D Harichandan, NET/State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) co-ordinator in Mumbai said the number of NET aspirants has been steadily rising as the new format is less cumbersome and the pass percentage has also seen an increase in the June 2012 exam. “With the exam becoming more subject-specific, aspirants have to attempt questions only from the subject of their choice. Apart from that with NET/SLET qualification being stringently implemented by universities across the country, the aspirants want to take advantage of the easy format,” said Harichandan.

He added that while the number of registrations was a record, aspirants appearing for the December exam would also be permitted to take home question papers which was not allowed previously.

“Candidates attempting NET or SLET are usually unaware of the format of questions and hence unable to prepare accordingly. But the new initiative will allow them to get a proper reference point for preparing for the next NET in case they are unsuccessful in the December exams,” said Dr Harichandan.

When asked about the low registration from Mumbai, Harichandan said, “Only 10,452 candidates have registered from Mumbai. It is likely that others could be opting for the SLET.”