NTA to roll out live photo, facial recognition checks from 2026
NTA to roll out live photo, facial recognition checks from 2026
From 2026, the NTA will use facial recognition for NEET-UG and JEE-Main after a successful Aadhaar-based pilot, with mandatory live photo capture to curb impersonation.
From 2026, the National Testing Agency will implement facial recognition for NEET-UG and JEE-Main to combat impersonation, following a successful pilot with Aadhaar-based authentication. These enhanced security measures were recommended by a government committee.
Live photo capture during the application process will be mandatory, paired with biometric verification to bolster exam integrity amid concerns about leaks and impersonation.
The proof-of-concept was conducted during NEET-UG 2025 at select examination centres in Delhi, where Aadhaar-based facial authentication was tested. If implemented nationwide, the policy would mark a major upgrade in how exams are administered and how candidate identity is verified.
Officials say the decisions reflect a concerted effort to safeguard the credibility of India’s two largest exams and respond to recurring concerns about exam integrity. The rollout is expected to begin in 2026, building on the lessons learned from the Delhi pilot.
This move outlines a significant shift in exam administration, reinforcing the role of technology in modernizing assessment and tightening identity verification for major national tests.
