National Testing Agency introduced a major new change for candidates who will be appearing in NEET UG , JEE Main , and CUET UG starting with the 2026-2027 academic session. In an important policy update, candidates will no longer be able to choose their exam city. Exam centres will instead be allocated strictly according to the addresses listed on the Aadhaar cards of candidates. This step is intended to increase transparency, reduce malpractice and ensure fairness when it comes to the allocation of exam centers across India ( India today).
Exam Centre Allocation: Key Changes
This new system will assign candidates exam centres near or at the Aadhaar registered address. It is important that students who live in smaller towns and rural areas are able to access exam centres near their home, thus reducing the travel burden for them and promoting equality.
The NTA's strategy aims to:
- Reduce the distance candidates travel to meet with you.
- Impersonation and cheating should be minimized.
- Standardize exam centre allocation across India, creating a fairer examination environment.
The policy is designed to ensure that all students are treated equally, regardless of their location or coach arrangements.
Update Aadhaar details is important
Candidates must make sure that their information is accurate and current, as exam centres are linked directly with Aadhaar. If there is a discrepancy, the candidate may be assigned an exam center far away from their residence.
Candidates must:
- Verify the Aadhaar Address and ensure that it matches their permanent address.
- Before the NEET application window, update your details on the official UIDAI Portal.
- Aadhaar can be used as a reference for registration and examination.
The NTA has warned applicants that no changes can be made once the application has been submitted. It is therefore important to double-check your details before submitting ( Jagran Joshua).
Students who study away from home are affected
Students who live in hostels, coaching cities or other places where they are not at their permanent address may find this new policy challenging. They may be assigned exam centres that are far away from their current locations, increasing travel time and costs.
The NTA advises students to plan ahead, and arrive at the exam centre on time. It is important to stay informed about any changes that may occur.
Implementation Timeline
The Aadhaar based allocation system will be implemented in stages.
- JEE Main session January 2026: The first exam to adopt the new system.
- NEET session 2026: All candidates will follow Aadhaar based centre allocation.
- CUET 2026 session: Same policies apply.
For detailed instructions and updates, candidates are encouraged to check the NTA official website regularly.
The New Policy has Benefits
- Fairness: Students of all regions have equal access to exam centers.
- Security Reduces the risk of impersonation, cheating and fraud.
- Convenience Candidates in rural areas and smaller towns will travel less.
- Standardization creates a uniform process of allocating exam centres for all national examinations.
Conclusion
The NTA’s decision to connect exam centres with Aadhaar addresses represents a significant step forward in improving the transparency, fairness and integrity of India's most prestigious entrance exams. The overall system is more equitable and secure, even though candidates are no longer able to select a city.
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