NTA 2026 Exam Rules: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced new rules for exam centre allocation for JEE Main, NEET-UG, and CUET-UG. From 2026, candidates will no longer select their preferred exam cities.

Instead, centres will be assigned based on the candidate’s Aadhaar card address. This move aims to increase transparency and prevent cheating.

👉 Official Notice Here

Major Update in Exam City Allocation

Starting from the 2026-27 academic session, candidates for JEE Main, NEET-UG, and CUET-UG cannot choose their exam cities. Earlier, students could pick three to four preferred cities while filling out applications. Now, exam centres will be allocated strictly according to the address on their Aadhaar card.

This change ensures that candidates from smaller towns and villages get exam centres near their permanent address. The NTA says this step will reduce impersonation and maintain fairness during exams.

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Concerns Among Students and Parents

Many students and parents have raised concerns about this change. Those living away from their permanent address worry about travel difficulties during exams. If a candidate’s Aadhaar address is outdated, it may cause issues.

The NTA has advised all students to check and update their Aadhaar details before applying. No corrections will be allowed once the application window opens. The new rule will first apply to the January 2026 JEE Main session and later to other national-level exams.

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Strict Verification of Documents

The NTA has made document verification stricter. Candidates’ names, dates of birth, and other details on their Aadhaar card must match exactly with their Class 10 marksheet. Even small errors or mismatches could lead to application rejection.

Students are advised to visit the nearest UIDAI centre to correct any errors in their Aadhaar immediately. Ensuring that the Aadhaar-linked address is correct is crucial, as it will determine the exam centre allocation.

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Guidelines for Reserved Category Candidates

Candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or PwD categories should ensure that their category certificates match their Aadhaar and Class 10 records. Any mismatch could result in rejection of reservation claims or disqualification.

The NTA said the new policy is designed to streamline the exam process and ensure fairness in candidate verification. Candidates must make sure all details are consistent across documents to avoid losing their chance to appear in exams.

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