Urgent Photo Verification Reminder for JEE Main 2026 Candidates

Important Notice for JEE Main 2026 Applicants

Candidates who registered for the JEE Main 2026 without an Aadhaar card have received a crucial notification from the National Testing Agency (NTA). The agency has set January 15, 2026, as the final date for completing the photo verification process. After this date, no further opportunities will be granted, and any pending verifications will not be accepted.

Consequences of Missing the Deadline

The NTA has made it clear that candidates who do not upload the necessary photo verification certificate by the end of the day may face serious repercussions, including the withholding of admit cards or denial of entry at the examination centre.

Who Needs to Complete Photo Verification?

This verification requirement is applicable only to certain candidates, specifically those who:

• Registered for JEE Main 2026 without an Aadhaar card, and




• Had a discrepancy between their uploaded live photograph and their identity document (like a PAN card or passport), or




• Received an official email from NTA requesting additional identity documents.

Only those flagged during the application review were given access to the photo verification upload link. If you did not receive such a notification, you are not required to complete this process.

Reason for the Photo Verification Requirement

The JEE Main 2026 will take place in two sessions, with Session 1 registrations occurring from October 31 to November 27, 2025. During the review of applications, the NTA identified that some candidates had:

• Used non-Aadhaar identity documents




• Uploaded unclear or mismatched photographs




• Submitted images that did not match official records.

To facilitate smooth identity verification at exam centres and prevent impersonation, the agency has implemented this additional photo verification process.

Changes in Attestation Rules

Initially, the NTA required the photo verification certificate to be attested by the school principal or college head. However, in response to numerous requests from students, this requirement has been relaxed.

Candidates can now have the certificate attested by any Class I Gazetted Officer, making the process more accessible, especially for those in remote locations.

Authorized Officers for Attestation

Candidates may have their photo verification certificate signed by any of the following Class I Gazetted Officers:

• Tehsildar




• Revenue Officer




• Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)




• District Magistrate (DM)




• Class I Gazetted Officer at an Indian Embassy (for NRI candidates)

The attestation must be clear, authentic, and properly stamped to avoid rejection.

Steps to Complete Before the Deadline

With the deadline approaching, affected candidates should take the following actions immediately:

1. Check your registered email for the official upload link sent by NTA.




2. Download and fill out the photo verification certificate accurately.




3. Get it signed and attested by an authorized officer.




4. Scan and upload the certificate in PDF format through the provided link.




5. Save a copy of the uploaded document for future reference.




6. Keep a physical copy ready for verification at the exam centre, if needed.

The NTA has stressed that incomplete, incorrect, or late submissions will not be accepted.

Consequences of Missing the Deadline

Candidates who do not complete the photo verification process by January 15, 2026, may experience:

• Delays or cancellation of admit card issuance.




• Disqualification from taking JEE Main 2026.




• Identity-related issues at the examination centre.

As JEE Main serves as a gateway to NITs, IIITs, and other prestigious engineering institutions, neglecting this step could significantly affect a student's academic trajectory.

Final Recommendations for Students

If you are among the affected candidates, act promptly. Complete the verification process without delay and ensure all documents are correctly uploaded. Regularly check official NTA notifications and emails for updates.

For those not impacted by this notice, it remains wise to carefully review application details and ensure compliance with all exam-related guidelines.

Taking timely action today can prevent future stress.