UIDAI successfully pilots face authentication for NEET UG 2025, marks major step in exam security
AI-generated image for representation
NEW DELHI: In a move to enhance examination security and ensure robust candidate verification, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has successfully conducted a
Proof of Concept
(PoC) for Aadhaar-based face authentication during the
NEET UG 2025 exam
in New Delhi on Sunday.
The successful pilot also reflects the government's broader push to integrate
Aadhaar-based authentication
into various public services to improve transparency, efficiency, and trust across high-stakes platforms.
The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the
National Testing Agency
(NTA), marks the first-ever deployment of
facial biometric authentication
in one of India's most competitive and widely taken entrance examinations.
The PoC aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of real-time face authentication using Aadhaar's biometric database to verify candidate identities in a contactless manner. The process involved capturing a live image of the candidate and matching it against the Aadhaar database—without the need for any physical interaction.
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This technology was deployed at select NEET examination centres in the capital, where it was seamlessly integrated with NIC's digital infrastructure and NTA's exam administration protocols. Officials involved in the pilot reported a high degree of accuracy and operational efficiency, validating the technology's potential for broader, nationwide implementation in the future.
The demonstration of this advanced biometric system also addressed long-standing concerns over impersonation and fraud in high-stakes exams. Its contactless, non-intrusive nature was seen as both secure and student-friendly, offering a more streamlined verification experience.
'This initiative represents a critical step in leveraging digital innovation to strengthen the integrity of large-scale public examinations,' a government official stated, adding that similar deployments could soon be adopted for other national-level exams.
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