Study Abroad: Aadhar Card accepted as ID Proof for GRE, TOEFL ex

Aadhar Card can now be used as an identity proof for Indian students to apply for study abroad standard exams like GRE and TOEFL. Students aspiring to study abroad appear for standard exams Graduate Record Examination and Test of English as a Foreign Language. Too study abroad, Aadhar card is accepted to appear in these standard exams from July 1, 2021 onwards.

Educational Testing Service, ETC is the conducting body of these standard tests for various study abroad courses. The announcement considering Aadhar card as ID proof was made on June 29 considering the prevailing COVID-19 situation. The testing service said this decision has been taken students faced difficulties in getting passports due to COVID-19 lockdown in various states.

This is a temporary measure which will apply until further Notice from ETS. It will be applicable for TOEFL, GRE, iBT General home-based tests and the internet based tests iBT held at designated centres.

Also Read: Study in USA: When to apply to universities abroad? Application process explained

This measure will apply to the new TOEFL Essential Test which will be offered from August 21, and also on the GRE subject tests that will commence from October 2021. Students appearing for the exams will have to furnish an original full version of their Aadhar Card as ID proofs. Photocopies, printed documents or digital copy on any electronic device will not be accepted.

Ray Nicosa, Executive Director of the Office of Testing Integrity, ETS said that Aadhaar Card is amongst the widely accepted forms of identification in India. ETS is confident that accepting this form of ID will help Indian students who are interested for registration for TOEFL and GRE tests.

So far, passport has only been the accepted identification proof for Indian students interested to appear for standard tests. These tests are conducted for admission requirement of many universities situated in foreign countries like the USA. TOEFL and GRE tests can be taken at home or in-person from a third party test centre.