Urgent important update for JEE Main 2026. NTA released an official notification on January 2, 2026. Some candidates faced an issue regarding a photo mismatch with the submitted photo ID in the JEE Main application. The revised last date for submitting the attested photograph with the document in PDF format is 15th January, 2026. Complete the verification process within the due date.
JEE Main 2026 Photo Mismatch Correction: NTA Issues Advisory
The NTA (National Testing Agency) issued a public notice on January 2, 2026, on its official website regarding the JEE Main 2026 application. Based on the urgent public notice, a recurring issue was found in the JEE Main 2026 application verification process. A photo-mismatch concern was observed.
To address this verification issue, NTA has given candidates a final opportunity to verify their identity. Candidates have to submit a signed and attested certificate along with a recent photograph. The last date has been revised from January 7, 2026, to January 15, 2026. Candidates are strongly advised to treat the deadline as an urgent issue and verify their identity to appear for JEE Main 2026 Session 1.
| Event | Date |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Dates | 21 January – 30 January 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 31 October 2025 |
| Online Application Last Date | 27 November 2025 |
Candidates are advised to check the updated JEE Main 2026 syllabus to stay exam-ready!
Reason Behind the Issued Notice
NTA noticed that discrepancies were found in the live photographs captured by candidates during the application process. The JEE Main exam conducting authority observed that certain candidates registered in the application process using identity proof documents other than the Aadhar card. And in several applications, it was noticed that the live photograph taken did not match the photograph in the submitted identity documents. Hence, NTA decided to give an opportunity to candidates to verify their identity and avoid being disqualified from the JEE Main 2026 exam.
Who is This Notification for?
The official NTA notification released for photo mismatch and document verification is for:
- Candidates live photograph does not match the submitted identity proofs as per the records available with UIDAI.
- Candidates who used other identity proof documents other than the Aadhar card in the JEE Main 2026 application form.
- Candidates must have received an email from NTA regarding document verification.
Set your exam strategy for the upcoming JEE exam. Check out the latest JEE Main exam pattern to understand the marking scheme and the type of questions.
Key Pointers to Note from the NTA Advisory for JEE Main 2026
To address the photo mismatch issue, JEE Main 2026 applicants are required to verify their identity by submitting attested documents along with updated photographs.
- The signed and attested certificate should be attached with an updated passport-sized photograph.
- The attested document should be submitted in a PDF format only.
- Candidates can submit the PDF on the verification link sent by NTA to the registered mail ID.
- Candidates can get their documents attested by their School/College Principal or Headmaster.
- Candidates who cannot get their documents assessed by the School/College Principal or Headmaster can get them done by Class 1 gazetted officers.
- Candidates are supposed to submit the PDF on the verification link sent to them on their registered email IDs.
- Along with this, candidates are also supposed to carry a printed copy of the attested verification document to the examination centre for physical verification on the exam day.
- The last revised date to submit is January 15, 2026.
List of Attesting Authorities
As candidates are supposed to get the documents attested, many students have raised concerns about the non-accessibility of verifying authorities, which are the School/College Principal or Headmaster. In such cases, candidates can get their documents attested by:
- Class-I Gazetted Officers
- Tehsildar
- Revenue Officer
- Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)
- District Magistrate (DM)
- Class-I Gazetted Officer of the Indian Embassy (for NRI candidates).
NOTE: Candidates must make sure that certificates are properly signed, stamped, and attested properly to avoid rejection of verification.
New Deadline and Submission Guidelines (JEE Main 2026)
The NTA (National Testing Agency) has revised the submission date of the attested document for identity verification for JEE Main 2026.
The new revised last date for submission is 15 January 2026.
Stay updated with the JEE Main 2026 exam dates, latest updates and notifications released by NTA.
NTA Contact Details
In case of any difficulties faced during the verification process, candidates can reach out to NTA at these available contact options:
NTA Helpline Numbers
- 011-40759000
- 011-69227700
NTA Official Email
NTA Official Website
Students are advised to stay updated with any latest notifications or information regarding the JEE Main 2026 exam by regularly checking the official website.
Also Read:
JEE Main 2026 Updated Exam Centres List
How to prepare for the JEE Advanced 2026
How to calculate the JEE Main percentile 2026
FAQs
If a candidate misses the identity verification deadline, they may face issues at the examination centre. This could lead to the disqualification of the candidate’s JEE Main 2026 application, and they will not be able to attempt the exam.
Yes, as per the notification released, candidates can get the verification document attested by Class-1 Gazetted officers. These include Tehsildar, Revenue Officer, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), District Magistrate (DM), and Class-I Gazetted Officer of the Indian Embassy (for NRI candidates).
No, only Aadhar is not mandatory to appear for JE Main 2026. Aadhar card is one of the identity proof is that candidates can submit in the application form. Apart from the Aadhar card, other identity proof documents can be submitted. But such candidates now have to go through an additional verification process due to issues with photo mismatch.
Yes, candidates have to carry the digital copy of the attested certificate submitted during the additional verification process to the examination centre for physical verification. This is clearly mentioned in the official notice released by NTA.
For candidates who have a photo-mismatch issue in their application, NTA has sent an email regarding the issue. For such candidates, NTA has sent a document upload and verification link to the registered email ID of the candidate. Check the spam folder and inbox.
The candidate will receive an official email from NTA in case of a photo-mismatch verification issue in their application. If you have not received any such email or any communication from NTA regarding the issue, this means no action is needed from your side.