Indian students can now use their Adhaar Card as ID (Identification) proof for GRE and TOEFL exams. The rule has been implemented since July 01.

The ETS (Educational Testing Service) made the announcement and said that this step has been taken to resolve the issues being faced by many students in getting passports due to the ongoing COVID situation.

The Graduate Record Examinations and the Test of English as a Foreign Language are standardised tests conducted by the ETS for admission into many foreign universities. As per the ETS website, the only accepted ID proof so far was a passport to attempt the tests.

The Executive Director of the Office of Testing Integrity at ETS Ray Nicosia reported that many Indian students are not able to apply for a new passport or renew their existing one due to the imposed restrictions across many Indian cities. He added that they are confident in accepting this ID since it is now the most accepted ID proof in India.

This will help Indian students while registering for GRE and TOEFL exams, added Nicosia.

This is a short-term step which has been implemented from July 01 and will remain applicable until further notice. This measure will only be applicable for GRE (General Home-Based Tests) and TOEFL.

This measure will also be applicable for the TOEFL Essential Test starting from Aug 21 and GRE Subjects Tests starting from Oct 2021.