NTA advises aspirants on how to update Aadhaar for JEE Main 2026 application, renew category and UDID certificates before registration begins. Check detailed eligibility, application timeline, and expert tips.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has advised candidates planning to appear for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 to ensure that their Aadhaar, category, and UDID certificates are updated well before the commencement of the registration process. According to the latest advisory, aspirants must complete all necessary document corrections in advance to avoid disqualification or delays during application verification. The registration process for the January session is expected to open in October 2025.
Regular updates, eligibility details, and the complete application procedure will be available on the official NTA website (nta.ac.in) and the JEE Main portal (jeemain.nta.nic.in). Candidates are strongly advised to check these portals frequently for accurate information, instead of relying on unofficial sources.
Key Updates from NTA for JEE Main 2026
The JEE Main is a national-level engineering entrance examination conducted twice a year for admission to prestigious institutes including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs).
The NTA advisory emphasizes that discrepancies in Aadhaar details, category certificates, or UDID certificates have led to numerous application rejections in previous years. For 2026, NTA is implementing stricter verification measures to ensure transparency and efficiency in the application process.
Candidates must take note of the following essential updates:
- The JEE Main 2026 registration window opening date is expected to be announced in the first week of October 2025.
- Aspirants should prepare all valid documents, including updated Aadhaar details, category certificates (EWS/SC/ST/OBC–NCL), and UDID certificates, before applying.
- The January session exam is likely to be conducted in January 2026, followed by the April session.
- The eligibility criteria remain unchanged from last year, with candidates required to have passed their Class 12 examination or equivalent in 2024 or appearing in 2026.
For free NCERT textbooks, mind maps, and syllabus resources to support preparation, candidates can explore NCERT Courses, NCERT PDFs, and Syllabus.
Importance of Updating Documents Before Registration
Over the past few admission cycles, one of the major reasons for application rejections has been mismatched Aadhaar details. Many candidates faced difficulties because their demographic information in Aadhaar did not match their Class 10 or 12 certificates. Therefore, understanding how to update Aadhaar for JEE Main 2026 application is crucial for avoiding errors during verification.
NTA has advised students to ensure that:
- Their name, date of birth, gender, and address in Aadhaar exactly match their academic certificates.
- Any spelling errors or outdated details should be corrected through the UIDAI self-service portal or Aadhaar enrolment centres well before registration opens.
- Photographs and biometric details should be recent and clear to avoid authentication failures.
These steps ensure smooth Aadhaar authentication during the application process and prevent the need for multiple corrections later.
UDID and Category Certificates: Essential Verification Documents
Another critical area of document verification involves UDID certificates (for candidates with disabilities) and category certificates (for EWS/SC/ST/OBC–NCL applicants). The NTA has clarified that these certificates must be valid, issued by competent authorities, and updated for the current financial year.
- For candidates under reserved categories, renew category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) for JEE 2026 well in advance to avoid last-minute delays.
- Certificates must mention the candidate’s name, caste/sub-caste, issuing authority, date of issue, and must be signed and stamped appropriately.
- UDID certificates must be obtained through the official UDID portal and carry the necessary QR code for authentication.
For additional preparation support, including topic-wise notes and practice material, candidates can visit Notes, MCQs, and Videos.
Application Timeline and Exam Sessions
The JEE Main 2026 application date and eligibility 2025–26 are expected to follow the same pattern as previous years. The January session registration is likely to start in October, while the April session will begin in February 2026.
Expected Schedule:
Event | Tentative Date |
---|---|
Registration (January Session) | 1st week of October 2025 |
Last date to apply | Last week of October 2025 |
Exam city intimation | December 2025 |
Admit card release | January 2026 |
JEE Main January session | Mid–January 2026 |
Registration (April Session) | February 2026 |
JEE Main April session | April 2026 |
Candidates must adhere to these timelines strictly. Late applications are typically not entertained by NTA.
Expert Insights: Avoid Common Mistakes
According to Ramesh Batla, Senior Academic Counsellor at FIITJEE, a large number of candidates lose valuable opportunities because of incorrect or incomplete document submissions.
“Every year, nearly 4–5% of JEE Main applications face delays due to Aadhaar–certificate mismatches. Candidates should not treat document verification as a last-minute task. Updating Aadhaar and certificates at least a month before registration can save them from unnecessary complications,” Batla explained.
His advice echoes NTA’s emphasis on early document preparation, especially for those planning to apply for both January and April sessions.
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FAQs: JEE Main 2026 Document Update & Application
Q1. What is the last date for Aadhaar update before JEE Main 2026 application?
Candidates should complete Aadhaar updates at least two weeks before the registration window opens in October 2025.
Q2. How to update Aadhaar for JEE Main 2026 application if details are incorrect?
Visit UIDAI’s self-service portal or an Aadhaar centre, update demographic details, and download the updated Aadhaar PDF.
Q3. Can I apply if my category certificate renewal is still in process?
No, category certificates must be valid and issued before the application date.
Q4. Where can I find JEE Main 2026 UDID certificate submission steps?
The steps are available on the official UDID portal and NTA’s website.
Q5. When will the JEE Main 2026 registration window opening date be announced?
It is expected in the first week of October 2025.
Q6. What documents are required to apply for JEE Main 2026?
Updated Aadhaar, category certificate, UDID (if applicable), Class 10 and 12 marksheets, and scanned photographs.
Q7. How can I renew category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) for JEE 2026?
Apply through the state/central issuing authority well before registration begins.
Q8. What happens if Aadhaar details don’t match academic records?
Your application may be rejected or delayed; correction must be done via UIDAI before applying.
Q9. Is Aadhaar mandatory for JEE Main 2026 registration?
Yes, Aadhaar is a key identity document for authentication.
Q10. Can Aadhaar updates be done after registration starts?
It is not recommended; corrections may not reflect in time, leading to errors during verification.