Pune: The Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE) recently released a notification stating that Aadhaar cards are mandatory for students registering for the National Eligibility Test (NET) scheduled for November 5 this year.

Students have to provide their Aadhaar card number mentioning date of birth and gender in the application form. The use of Aadhaar for UGC-NET candidates will result in ensuring accuracy of details provided by them. This will also help in ascertaining identities of applicants at the examination centres in a convenient and hassle-free manner as Aadhaar obviates the need for producing multiple documents to prove one’s identity, stated the notice.

However, aspirants have said that the move is unnecessary. “We are registered with the university and they also forward our documents, which are submitted with them to procure admit cards. I don’t see the necessity of giving an Aadhaar card copy,” said Sandip Mardhal, a second-year student of Department of Hindi of SPPU.

Naseer Shaikh, President of Students Federation of India (SFI), said, “They don’t understand that students who don’t posses Aadhaar cards will waste their time in procuring one for this process. This will affect those who are working, as one chooses to study on holidays. Now, they will have to run for Aadhaar applications. Also, the number of candidates appearing for NET is very low and so there is no need for such scrutiny.”