Even after the National Assessment Survey (NAS) was subjected to major opposition and criticism in Maharashtra, data shows significant response from students. While all selected schools agreed to participate in the survey, more than 90 per cent of the selected students appeared for the test held on November 12.

NAS, aimed at assisting learning skills among students from Std III, V, VIII and X, had come under the scanner after educationists criticised the state's decision to participate in the exam this year. Teachers had said it was unfair to gauge the understanding levels of students when they have been away from school for more than one-and-a-half years. They also pointed out that in many parts of Maharashtra in-person classes for standards III and V have not even started yet. A big part of the school education sector also questioned the timing of NAS as it clashed with Diwali vacation. Parents, too, had opposed it in view of the fear of the impending third wave of COVID-19. mid-day covered the issues in a news report on October 31.