Big Rule Change for NEET 2026:
No More Choosing Your Exam City – Here’s What It Means and How to Prepare

A new rule from the National Testing Agency (NTA) is changing how students pick exam centres for NEET UG, JEE Main, and CUET UG starting next year. A recent advisory from the National Testing Agency (NTA) urging document updates for NEET UG, JEE Main, and CUET UG has led to widespread reports that you won’t be able to choose your preferred cities anymore. However, the NTA has clarified that this advisory is NOT related to the exam city choice. While the option to choose cities is currently expected to remain, the mandatory linking of the exam process to your exact Aadhaar address for verification is a crucial shift that students must act on now to avoid application rejection.

At VVT Coaching Centre in Chennai, Tamilnadu ranked #1 NEET institute by Times Now, we’re already helping students adjust, with our 96.6% success rate guiding over 1000+ to medical seats last year.
This guide, updated with NTA’s latest details as of October 10, 2025, breaks down the rule, why it’s happening, its impact on NEET 2026, and simple steps to get ready, solving concerns like “what if my Aadhaar is outdated?” or “how does this affect my prep?” with clear fixes.

The New Rule Explained: Aadhaar Takes the Wheel for Exam Centres

Under the old system, you could pick 3-4 cities. While NTA has urged a strict document match (Aadhaar address must be current and accurate), it has clarified that the new advisory on document updates is not a confirmation of the removal of the city choice option. The core shift is the move towards ‘streamlined verification and fairness’, where all details, especially the Aadhaar address, must be up-to-date and accurate to ensure eligibility and residency verification, even if city choice remains.

Why the Change? Transparency Over Convenience

NTA says the push for stricter document matching is to boost security, by ensuring the candidate’s name, DOB, and address details line up exactly with Class 10 marksheet and Aadhaar to spot impersonation and proxy tests. While the rule to remove city choice has been widely reported, NTA’s recent clarification suggests the immediate focus is on document consistency to prevent application rejection, not city selection change. Mismatches? Application rejected. Plus, strict document matching, Your name, DOB, and details must line up exactly with Class 10 marksheet and Aadhaar. Mismatches? Application rejected.

For reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD), certificates must match too, wrong, and you lose quota. It’s fair play, but it means updating now.

What This Means for NEET 2026: Travel, Prep, and Your Plan

Even though the NTA has clarified the city choice may remain, having an outdated Aadhaar address is a huge risk. Your centre could still be allotted based on your Aadhaar in future rounds, or an outdated address could cause application rejection due to discrepancy with other documents. If your Aadhaar address is home but you’re prepping in Chennai, the safest step is to update your Aadhaar address to your current residence to ensure smooth allocation and document consistency.

Here’s a quick table of impacts and fixes for NEET 2026.

Impact on Students	Why It Matters	Simple Fix
Travel Inconvenience	Centres far from prep spot	Update Aadhaar address ASAP
Document Mismatches	Risk of rejection or lost quota	Match name/DOB with Class 10/Aadhaar
Rural vs Urban Divide	Small towns get local centres	Verify eligibility for state quotas
Reserved Category Worries	Certificates must align	Renew if outdated
Overall Prep Adjustment	Less flexibility, more focus on scores	Build stamina with mocks

How to Get Ready: Steps for Aadhaar and NEET 2026

Don’t wait, act now to avoid 2026 surprises.

Verify Aadhaar: Log in to uidai.gov.in, check details. Mismatch? Visit the nearest centre with ID proofs.
Update if Needed: Use e-Aadhaar or offline, link mobile/email for alerts.
Match Documents: Cross-check Class 10 marksheet with Aadhaar. Fix spellings at school/board.
Boost Your Score: Strong NEET rank trumps location, VVT’s AI plans target 650+.

VVT Take: Turning the Rule into Your Advantage

This change pushes for better preparation to focus on scores, not spots. VVT AI analyzes mocks chapter-wise, with error exams fixing gaps like Physics numericals. Our small batches and remedy classes build resilience.

Conclusion

NTA’s rule change for exam cities from 2026 is about fairness, update your Aadhaar now to stay ahead. At VVT’s Chennai centres, we turn challenges into wins. Enroll at www.vvtcoaching.com or call +91 8122122333 for scholarships up to 100%. Your location changes, but your success doesn’t, let’s prepare for it.

Get to Know VVT’s Three Friendly Campuses: Always Nearby and Welcoming

VVT has three spots across Chennai, each easy to reach and full of support. No matter where you live, one is close by. Our campuses mix bright classrooms, helpful teachers, and a warm feel to keep you going. Here’s a quick look at each, with a focus on how they help with NEET and staying options.

Adyar Campus: Easy Access and Positive Vibes

Right on busy L.B. Road next to Adyar Ananda Bhavan, this spot is super convenient. Step inside, and you’ll see big, airy rooms where learning feels fun. Staff greet you with smiles, and the energy pushes you to turn weak areas like tough Physics problems into strengths.We also offer hostel facilities here for boys, with clean rooms, meals, and support to make your stay comfortable and focused. No distractions, just a safe place to rest and review after classes.

Adyar Campus (VVT Coaching Centre): “Nibav Buildings”, 4th & 5th Floor, No.23, Old No.11, L.B. Road, Adyar, Chennai – 600020. (Next to Adyar Ananda Bhavan)

Get Directions: Open in google maps!

Anna Nagar Campus: Focus in the City Centre

In Shanthi Colony, Anna Nagar, this campus feels like an extension of home. Good bus links make it simple for city kids. There is no on-site hostel, but nearby options are plentiful for those who need them.

Anna Nagar Campus (VVT Coaching Centre): No.1621, 9th Main Road, Shanthi Colony, Block AI, AI Block, Anna Nagar, Chennai – 600040.

Get Directions: Open in google maps!

Pallikaranai Girls Campus: Your Safe Place with Full Hostel

This is our special girls-only residential campus in a quiet area. It’s built as a true home away from home, with clean dorms, healthy meals in the canteen, and round-the-clock help.
We offer full hostel facilities here, clean rooms, study areas, and a community of girls supporting each other. It’s perfect if you’re from outside Chennai or just want a focused, safe space.

Pallikaranai (Saraswathi Girls Residential Campus): Plot No. 395 & 396, 1st Main Road, Kamakoti Nagar, Pallikaranai, Chennai – 600100.

Get Directions: Open in google maps!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the ‘No Exam City Choice’ rule officially confirmed for NEET 2026?
No, not confirmed yet. The NTA recently clarified that its advisory for updating documents (Aadhaar, Class 10) is not related to the removal of the exam city choice option. However, the rule is highly expected in the future, so updating your Aadhaar address now is the smartest preparation step.

2.How do I update my Aadhaar for NEET 2026?
Visit UIDAI centre with proofs 1-2 weeks.

3.What if my Aadhaar doesn’t match my Class 10 details?
Fix at board/school first mismatches cancel applications.

4. Why is my Aadhaar address so important now if I might still choose the city?
The NTA is enforcing strict matching of all details (Name, DOB, Address) between your Aadhaar, Class 10 marksheet, and Category Certificate. An up-to-date Aadhaar address is vital to verify your residency for any state quotas and to ensure your entire application is not rejected on a technical mismatch.