The National Testing Agency (NTA) has extended the deadline for submitting photo verification certificates for JEE Main 2026 to 15 January 2026. This extension comes after multiple requests from candidates facing difficulties during identity verification.
Background: Registration and Identity Verification Issues
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 registrations were conducted from 31 October 2025 to 27 November 2025. During application scrutiny, NTA identified identity discrepancies including:
- Candidates submitting documents other than Aadhaar.
- Mismatch between live photographs taken during registration and images stored in the UIDAI database.
To ensure smooth verification and fair examination conditions, affected candidates must submit a photo verification certificate.
Attestation Now Allowed by Gazetted Officers
Initially, the certificate required attestation only by school or college principals. Many students reported difficulty accessing these authorities, prompting NTA to relax the rule. Now, the certificate can also be attested by Class-I Gazetted Officers, including:
- Tehsildars
- Revenue Officers
- Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs)
- District Magistrates (DMs)
- Indian Embassy officers for NRI candidates
This change is expected to ease the verification process for all affected applicants.
Extended Deadline and Submission Guidelines
- The new deadline for uploading the certificate in PDF format is 15 January 2026.
- Affected candidates have received the upload link via email.
- The certificate must be accurately filled, signed, attested, and submitted before the deadline.
Candidates are also required to carry a printed copy of the certificate to the examination centre. It will be used for physical verification on the day of the exam. NTA has emphasized that candidates follow instructions carefully to avoid any last-minute issues at exam centres.
