The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued a clarification on category selection for candidates applying for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2027. The agency has explained which category Indian nationals, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), foreign citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders must select while filling out the application form.According to the NTA, Indian nationals, including NRIs who hold an Aadhaar card, must select the Indian Nationals category. Foreign citizens and OCI cardholders are required to select the Foreign Nationals category.The agency has also clarified that NRIs who hold an Indian passport but do not have an Aadhaar card must select the separate NRIs Having No Aadhaar category.This was shared through the agency’s official X account to help candidates avoid mistakes while completing their JEE Main 2027 registration.
JEE Main 2027 : Category selection rules explained
Candidates must carefully check their citizenship and Aadhaar status before selecting a category in the application form.The category selection rules are as follows:
- Indian nationals: Candidates who are Indian citizens, including NRIs holding an Aadhaar card, must select the Indian Nationals category.
- Foreign citizens and OCI cardholders: These candidates must select the Foreign Nationals category.
- NRIs without Aadhaar: Candidates who hold an Indian passport but do not have an Aadhaar card must select the NRIs Having No Aadhaar category.
The NTA has also clarified that NRI candidates who do not have an Aadhaar card can use their passport as identity proof during the JEE Main 2027 application process.
JEE Main 2027 registration underway
The JEE Main 2027 Session 1 registration process began on October 24, 2026. Interested candidates can submit their application forms through the official website at jeemain.nta.nic.in.The registration window will remain open until November 22, 2026. Candidates who miss the regular application deadline will also get an opportunity to apply during the late fee window from November 23 to November 26, 2026.The NTA will conduct JEE Main 2027 Session 1 on January 20, 21, 22, 23 and 28, 2027.The examination is conducted for admission to undergraduate engineering programmes at participating institutions, including the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) and other participating colleges.JEE Main is also the qualifying examination for JEE Advanced, which is conducted for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).Candidates are advised to check all the details carefully before submitting their application forms to avoid errors during the registration process.
