NTA Declares, Aadhar Not Compulsory for JEE Main Registration

JEE Main registration has been started from September 1. Now, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has declared that the Aadhaar card number is not mandatory for the JEE Main 2019 registration. This clarification comes after the NTA received queries about mandatory filling up of Aadhaar Number in the UGC-NET 2018 application forms.

NTA is the newly formed agency under the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), Government of India, which conducts all important national level exams like JEE Main and UGC NET. NTA has started the registration process for both JEE Main and UGC NET recently. In the application forms, they ask 12-digit Aadhar number of the candidate issued by UIDAI.

Now as per a recent statement by NTA, the Aadhaar number is not mandatory for JEE Main 2019 examination. NTA said, “It is hereby clarified that while filling the online Application Form and as per the ‘Replica of Application Form’ given in Annexure VIII (page 39-40) (UGC-NET Bulletin December 2018) in the drop down box regarding ‘Identification Type’ and also given on page 11, the Aadhaar number is only one of the types of identification and is not mandatory.”

What was the issue?

The registration process for both JEE Main 2019 and UGC NET 2018 started on the official website of NTA. Just like previous years, they asked Aadhar number in the application. Candidates, who were in possession of Aadhaar asked to fill their Aadhaar number, name, date of birth & gender in an online application for JEE Main 2019 for the purpose of identity and authentication.

The application forms also state that if candidates have not yet enrolled for Aadhaar, they may make application for Aadhaar enrolment by visiting any Aadhaar enrolment centre. Also, those who have enrolled for Aadhaar and have not received Aadhaar number should enter 14-digit Aadhaar Enrolment ID. So, this was the issue as many students were not able to fill the Aadhaar number or Enrolment ID.

Which documents can be used instead of Aadhaar?

NTA has now said that JEE Main 2019 application form, which is being filled in currently, clearly provides space for entering any valid government id number. The note on information bulletin also states that the candidates can enter Passport number, Bank Account number, Ration Card number, or any other valid Government identity number for the identification proof.

Aadhaar Mandatory on exam day?

The exam will be conducted online from January 06 to January 20. Candidates must bring some documents on the day of the exam at the exam centre and failing which they will not be allowed to sit in the examination. They should bring the print copy of Admit Card, 1 passport size photograph, any one of the authorized photo IDs including PAN card/ Driving License/ Voter ID/ Passport/ Aadhaar Card/ Aadhaar Enrolment No/ Ration Card.

About JEE Main 2019

JEE Main 2019 first attempt registration started on September 1, 2018, and it will last till September 30. To recall, the JEE Main will now be conducted twice for the admissions in the next academic session. So, the students will have benefits of this new pattern as it will give one more opportunity to the students to improve their scores in the examination.

The JEE Main 2019 first attempt will be held from January 6 to January 20, 2019, whereas the second attempt will be held in April 2019. The NTA will release the application form for the JEE Main 2019 the second attempt from February 08, 2019.

Candidates should fill all the required details while filling up the online form. After submitting the details, a confirmation page with Application Number is generated and candidates are required to take printout this page for reference. The application fee which is Rs.500 for general quota can be paid online via credit/debit card/Net Banking or via e-challan of State Bank of India.