NEW DELHI: National Testing Agency (NTA) will now allot examination cities strictly based on the permanent or current address linked to candidates' Aadhaar cards, marking a shift toward greater transparency, fairness and smoother logistics. The reform is part of a wider digital upgrade that includes live photography during online registration and new accessibility features such as an enhanced magnifier tool and dark mode for candidates with disabilities.
The new e-KYC-enabled system, set to debut with JEE (Main) 2026 (session-1), aligns with the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee Report on NTA Reforms (2024), which called for a comprehensive digital overhaul of exam management and candidate verification. Under the upgraded process, candidates will have their Aadhaar details - including name, address, date of birth, gender and photograph - verified through e-KYC, subject to their consent. During registration, live photographs captured via laptop cameras or QR codes will be automatically matched with the Aadhaar database to ensure authenticity.
"Aadhaar is central to ensuring authenticity and convenience. With e-KYC, we are eliminating manual verification and paving the way for a digi-exam ecosystem," a senior NTA official told TOI. "If any mismatch is found between Aadhaar data and the uploaded photo, candidates will be notified to update their details. Those without Aadhaar can still apply but physical verification will be mandatory," the official said.
Beyond identity verification, NTA is also introducing assistive digital tools for candidates with disabilities. The magnifier function in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) interface will now zoom up to four times and can be toggled between normal and dark modes for better visibility, comfort and inclusivity.
"These digital inclusions are not cosmetic - they are about dignity, accessibility and equal opportunity in examination environments," the official added.
The new e-KYC-enabled system, set to debut with JEE (Main) 2026 (session-1), aligns with the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee Report on NTA Reforms (2024), which called for a comprehensive digital overhaul of exam management and candidate verification. Under the upgraded process, candidates will have their Aadhaar details - including name, address, date of birth, gender and photograph - verified through e-KYC, subject to their consent. During registration, live photographs captured via laptop cameras or QR codes will be automatically matched with the Aadhaar database to ensure authenticity.
"Aadhaar is central to ensuring authenticity and convenience. With e-KYC, we are eliminating manual verification and paving the way for a digi-exam ecosystem," a senior NTA official told TOI. "If any mismatch is found between Aadhaar data and the uploaded photo, candidates will be notified to update their details. Those without Aadhaar can still apply but physical verification will be mandatory," the official said.
Beyond identity verification, NTA is also introducing assistive digital tools for candidates with disabilities. The magnifier function in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) interface will now zoom up to four times and can be toggled between normal and dark modes for better visibility, comfort and inclusivity.
"These digital inclusions are not cosmetic - they are about dignity, accessibility and equal opportunity in examination environments," the official added.
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