National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced important news for applicants of JEE Main 2026, which will simplify the online application procedures through Aadhaar-based verification, aimed at simplifying the application processes, reduce the errors, and allow for the effective verification of applicant eligibility.
In order to provide access across the nation, NTA will also introduce additional examination cities which will allow for greater access for engineering aspirants from remote and rural areas of the country. There will be a special focus on ensuring the needs of PwD/PwBD candidates are met through all stages of the examination process.
JEE Main 2026 – Exam Schedule Announced
NTA will conduct the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across two sessions (January 2026 and April 2026). The online application form for the first session will be available in October 2025 on the official portal (https://jeemain.nta.nic.in).Below is the tentative schedule for JEE Main 2026:
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Session 1 (January 2026) | |
| Online Submission of Application Form | October 2025 onwards |
| Dates of Examination | Between 21 – 30 January 2026 |
| Session 2 (April 2026) | |
| Online Submission of Application Form | Last week of January 2026 onwards |
| Dates of Examination | Between 01 – 10 April 2026 |
Aadhaar Authentication and Update Advisory
In an effort to reduce procedural headaches for candidates, NTA published a public notice on 29 September 2025, suggesting that aspirants update their Aadhaar information for an easier registration experience.
As a part of the application process NTA will automatically populate Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Photograph and Address from UIDAI, via Aadhaar authentication, in the interests of minimizing manual errors and discrepancies in candidate data.
However, since Father’s, Mother’s, or Guardian’s name is not recorded in Aadhaar, candidates will be required to enter these details separately while filling out the online application form.
Handling Aadhaar and Educational Certificate Name Mismatch
If there is some form of discrepancy regarding names in between a candidate’s Aadhaar card and Class 10 educational certificate/marksheet, NTA has the ability to assist candidates with this as part of the application process.
Please see NTA Public Notice dated 6 November 2024, “Advisory and Instructions on Aadhaar Card Name Mismatch while filling up application form for JEE (Main) 2025” which is readily available on the official website (https://jeemain.nta.nic.in) for your convenience.
Aadhaar Name Mismatch During JEE Main Application Process
National Testing Agency (NTA) has listened to multiple candidates that faced technical difficulties with the Aadhaar authentication process while completing the online application for JEE (Main) – 2026. Most of these challenges stemmed from a name mismatch between the Aadhaar Card and Class 10th Educational Certificate or Marksheet.
To ensure a better experience during the registration process, NTA has added some updates to the JEE (Main) application portal. They have done this to assist candidates in successfully completing their application without delays or technical difficulties.
New Procedure for Candidates Facing Aadhaar Name Mismatch
If a candidate receives a pop-up message containing a “Name mismatch during Aadhaar Authentication” message while verifying their details, he/she should carefully follow the steps outlined below:
- Close the Pop-Up Message
When the pop-up appears with the message (Name mismatch during Aadhaar Authentication. To update your name in Aadhaar Card, please visit your nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra), candidates should click the ‘Close (X)’ button in the pop-up box.
- Go to the Aadhaar Authentication Page
After closing the pop-up, a new prompt will automatically appear on the screen. Now, candidates must enter their name exactly as it appears on the Aadhaar Card to continue with the Aadhaar verification process.
- Dual Data Capture for Accuracy
The new module will now record both names, the name in the educational certificate and the name on the Aadhaar card. This will allow candidates to continue onto the registration even if there are minor discrepancies of the name between the two documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why has NTA added Aadhaar authentication for JEE Main 2026?
A. NTA added Aadhaar authentication in order to streamline the JEE Main 2026 application process, minimize data entry errors, and ensure the accurate identification of candidates. This will ultimately assist in streamlining the registration thus the verification of lakhs of engineering aspirants
Q. What will be fetched from Aadhar during authentication?
A. During Aadhaar authentication NTA will fetch a candidate’s Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Photograph and either Address directly from UIDAI. Thus removing the need to manually add this information to the JEE application process.
Q. Will candidates need to manually type in details even after Aadhaar verification?
A. Candidates will still need to manually type in candidates; Father, Mother or Guardian name, as this data is not held either in the Aadhaar database nor by UIDAI
Q. What if the candidate's name on their Aadhaar Card is different then the one provided on their 10th Marksheet?
A. If the candidate’s name on Aadhaar Card differs from their 10th certificate, the candidates will have the options provided on each online form to resolve this issue.
Q. How can candidates change their Aadhaar information (if applicable)?
A. Candidates requiring any corrections or updates in their Aadhaar information must adhere to UIDAI rules before applying for JEE Main 2026, if necessary.
Q. When will the JEE Main 2026 application form be released?
A. The online application form for Session 1 will be open in October 2025, and Session 2’s application form will be released in the last week of January 2026.
Q. What are the advantages of Aadhaar-based authentication for JEE aspirants?
A. Aadhaar-based authentication brings faster and error-free registration, helps reduce duplication, and assists NTA in maintaining accurate records for candidates. Additionally, it eliminates the possibility of inconsistencies during the exam stage for candidates and at counselling time and further.