The state employment exchange in Tamil Nadu is becoming increasingly irrelevant as government agencies rely more on competitive exams for recruitment. The number of people registered with the exchange has decreased from 81.3 lakh in March 2017 to 64 lakh. The exchange has been used for recruitment in posts not covered by the Tamil Nadu public service commission since 1971, but a court ruling in 2013 deemed the selection process through the exchange as invalid. With the rise of exclusive recruitment boards and career opportunities in the private sector, employment exchanges are losing their significance.