Srinagar: In a major step to strengthen the integrity of national-level entrance examinations, the National Testing Agency (NTA) will introduce facial biometric authentication during exams and live photography at the application stage, beginning with JEE (Main) 2026 scheduled in January.
The move aims to curb impersonation and other examination-related malpractices by ensuring real-time identity verification of candidates at multiple stages of the examination process. The new system will be implemented from the January session of JEE (Main), officials confirmed.
Secretary of Higher Education Vineet Joshi said the agency would deploy a facial recognition mechanism during examinations, while live photographs would be captured when candidates submit their applications. “This will be implemented from January, starting with JEE (Main),” he said during a media interaction.
Facial biometric authentication works by analysing distinctive facial features—such as the distance between the eyes and facial contours—to generate a digital identity template, which is matched with stored data using advanced AI-based tools. In addition, live photo capture through webcams or mobile devices at the application or exam stage will help prevent impersonation.
The JEE (Main) 2026, conducted by the NTA, is scheduled to be held from January 21 to January 30, 2026.
Established in 2017, the NTA conducts several key national entrance examinations, including JEE (Main) for engineering admissions, NEET-UG for medical courses, and the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in central universities.
The introduction of biometric verification is part of the recommendations made by the Radhakrishnan Committee, which was set up following reports of large-scale irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 examination.
The seven-member committee, chaired by former ISRO chief R. Radhakrishnan, has proposed a comprehensive overhaul of India’s entrance examination framework, with a strong emphasis on digitalisation, enhanced security, and streamlined processes.
The panel outlined a two-phase reform plan, with immediate measures including the restructuring of the NTA and multi-level biometric verification at registration, examination centres, and counselling stages. Long-term recommendations include the development of a biometric-based “Digi-Exam” platform, on the lines of DigiYatra, to enable secure digital examinations.
To further plug loopholes and prevent breaches, the committee has advocated end-to-end biometric authentication spanning registration, test centres, counselling, and admissions, aimed at creating a robust, transparent, and tamper-proof examination system. (KINS)
