The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to roll out facial recognition-based verification for major entrance examinations, such as NEET and JEE, from 2026, sources told news agency PTI. The move aims
to tighten exam security and prevent impersonation in high-stakes national-level tests.
As part of the new system, candidates may also be required to capture live photographs during the application process. Officials said this step will help ensure that applications are being filled by genuine candidates and not through unfair means.
The plan follows a pilot project conducted during NEET 2025, where Aadhaar-based facial authentication was tested at select exam centres in Delhi. The trial, carried out in collaboration with UIDAI, NIC and NTA, assessed the feasibility of using facial recognition technology to verify candidates’ identities at exam venues.
Based on the outcome of this pilot, the agency is now preparing to extend the system to other major entrance exams from next year.
Facial biometric verification works by analysing unique facial features and matching them with stored data using AI-driven systems. At exam centres, real-time facial scans will be used to confirm a candidate’s identity before entry into the examination hall.
The proposed changes are part of wider reforms recommended by the Radhakrishnan Committee, which was constituted by the Centre following allegations of paper leaks, particularly during NEET-UG 2024. The committee, led by former ISRO chief R Radhakrishnan, suggested a two-phase reform plan focusing on stronger digital systems, improved security, and structural changes in exam conduct.
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Short-term recommendations include revamping the NTA and introducing multi-level biometric checks at the registration, examination and counselling stages. In the long run, the panel has proposed developing a “Digi-Exam” platform, similar to DigiYatra, to enable biometric-enabled digital examinations.
Founded in 2017, the NTA conducts several key entrance exams, including JEE (Main), NEET-UG and CUET. According to the official calendar, JEE (Main) 2026, scheduled from January 21 to 30, is expected to be the first exam to implement these new security measures.
