The much-awaited Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and its equivalent examinations began on Sunday, maintaining health protocols. Some 22,27,113 students are taking part in the examinations this time while the number was 20,46,779 last time. The number of candidates has increased by 1,79,334 with a growth rate of 8.76 per cent. The examinations are being held with short syllabuses on three elective subjects on a group basis.