NTA Clarifies Exam City Allocation for JEE Main, NEET, and CUET

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has clarified that Aadhaar cards will not be used for allocating exam cities for JEE Main, NEET, and CUET. This announcement follows concerns raised after a directive on updating Aadhaar cards. The NTA has advised candidates to rely on official information and has outlined the schedule for JEE Main 2026, which will be conducted in January and April. For more details on the NTA's advisory and exam schedules, read the full article.

By Sourabh Singh Oct 11, 2025, 12:46 IST

Clarification on Exam City Allocation

The recent discussions surrounding the allocation of exam cities based on Aadhaar cards for the National Testing Agency's (NTA) JEE Main, NEET, CUET, and other entrance examinations have gained significant attention. This follows the NTA's directive issued on September 29 regarding the updating of Aadhaar cards. In response, the NTA has provided a clarification.

According to the NTA Director, the allocation of exam cities will not utilize Aadhaar cards for JEE Main, NEET, and CUET.

Let's delve into the details of the NTA's clarification regarding the allocation of exam cities for JEE Main 2026.

Details of the September 29 Directive

The NTA has clarified its September 29 directive, stating that a public notice was released to assist candidates in updating and verifying essential identification documents, including Aadhaar, UDID cards, and category certificates, prior to the commencement of the application process. Importantly, this notice does not pertain to the allocation of exam cities or centers.

In previous years, some candidates encountered issues while filling out the online application forms due to inconsistencies between the information on their Aadhaar cards and other documents like the Class 10 certificate.

NTA Advisory for Candidates

The NTA has issued an advisory aimed at candidates and their parents, emphasizing the importance of relying on verified information. They are urged to avoid misinformation circulating online and to consult only the official NTA website for accurate details regarding NTA examinations.

JEE Main 2026 Schedule

The National Testing Agency organizes the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main biannually for admissions to engineering colleges nationwide. This examination serves as the preliminary test for IIT admissions. The NTA has announced that JEE Main 2026 will take place in two sessions: the first session is set for January 2026, while the second session will occur in April 2026.