NTA Likely to Introduce Facial Recognition in JEE, NEET Exams

• NTA to use facial recognition for secure JEE Main 2026 exams.
• UIDAI Aadhaar-linked face authentication trial in NEET-UG was successful.
• Biometrics to reduce impersonation and enhance exam credibility.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to implement facial recognition for candidates taking entrance exams it administers, including the forthcoming JEE Main in January, as stated by a senior official from the Education Ministry.

Facial recognition is anticipated to improve security protocols at examination centers. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) carried out face authentication during the NEET-UG exam in May of this year. It was a “proof of concept” - a trial - at chosen locations in Delhi. It used Aadhaar-linked facial recognition to confirm the candidates' identities.

A statement from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology following NEET-UG highlighted the possibilities for future applications and how it could greatly reduce impersonation attempts in entrance examinations.

In a public announcement made in September, the NTA instructed JEE Main 2026 candidates to verify that their Aadhaar card contains the accurate name, birth date, recent photograph, address, and father's name.

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In a different announcement in October, the NTA stated it would acquire information such as name, date of birth, photograph, and address from UIDAI via Aadhaar authentication. A panel led by ex-ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan had suggested improved security protocols in a report last year, including biometric verification to safeguard the credibility of examinations.

The move follows earlier recommendations to strengthen examination security and reflects ongoing efforts to use technology for accurate identity verification while maintaining the integrity and credibility of national-level entrance tests.