The National Testing Agency (NTA) will implement a new exam centre allotment system for national entrance tests starting with JEE Main 2026 . From January 2026 , candidates will no longer choose their preferred exam cities. Instead, the NTA will assign test centres based on the residential address linked to their Aadhaar card. This significant policy shift aims to curb impersonation and enhance transparency across the examination process, according to NTA officials.
Aadhaar-Based Centre Allotment Explained
The new guidelines directly impact candidates for major national examinations: JEE Main , NEET UG , and CUET UG , commencing from the 2026 academic year. Previously, applicants had the flexibility to select their exam centres from a list of available cities during the application process. The updated policy ensures that students, regardless of their current study location, will receive centre assignments based strictly on the address recorded in their Aadhaar card.
The NTA explicitly states that an accurate and updated Aadhaar-linked address is now the sole determining factor for a candidate’s assigned test location. This change is designed to create a more standardized and verifiable system, reducing opportunities for fraudulent activities and ensuring fairness for all participants. It moves away from subjective choices to an objective, record-based allocation.
Key Dates and Essential Student Actions
The new centre allotment rules will first apply to the JEE Main 2026 examinations. Registrations for JEE Main 2026 session one are anticipated to open this month. The examinations for both sessions are scheduled for January and April 2026 .
Following the implementation for JEE Main , these Aadhaar-based allotment rules will extend to all subsequent national entrance tests. This includes NEET UG and CUET UG , which are set to commence in the months after JEE Main. Students must proactively verify and update their Aadhaar card details. The NTA confirms that no changes to Aadhaar information will be permitted once the application window opens for their respective exams.
Mandatory Identity Verification Process
In conjunction with the new centre policy, the NTA has introduced a more stringent identity verification process for all applicants. Candidates are now required to ensure that their personal details on the Aadhaar card, including their name and date of birth, precisely match those documented on their Class 10 mark sheet. This strict match requirement aims to prevent any form of identity misrepresentation.
Any discrepancies, even minor spelling errors or mismatches in details between the Aadhaar card and the Class 10 mark sheet, will flag an application. Such inconsistencies could lead to the rejection or cancellation of the application form. The NTA strongly advises students to visit their nearest UIDAI centre immediately to rectify any inconsistent personal information, safeguarding their eligibility for the upcoming examinations.
Student Concerns Over Travel and Logistics
The introduction of the Aadhaar-based centre allotment policy has generated concerns among students preparing for these highly competitive national entrance exams. Many candidates routinely reside in cities away from their Aadhaar-registered addresses, often for coaching, higher studies, or family circumstances. These students anticipate significant travel challenges and potential logistical inconveniences during exam periods if their assigned centre is far from their current study or temporary residence.
This policy shift necessitates that students plan their exam-day logistics based strictly on their official residential address as per Aadhaar. It eliminates the previous convenience of choosing a nearby centre. Students are encouraged to consider these practical implications and ensure their Aadhaar details reflect a convenient, permanent address where possible, or prepare for necessary travel arrangements.