**Policy Summary: Aadhaar-Based Face Authentication in National Examinations**
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, is considering expanding the use of Aadhaar-based face authentication technology to national-level competitive examinations beyond its current applications. This initiative aims to enhance transparency, build trust among aspirants, strengthen administrative accountability, prevent impersonation, and reduce examination malpractices.
Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) based on biometric and demographic data, serves as a digital identity for accessing various services. Face authentication, a biometric method with liveness detection, utilizes facial features for real-time identity verification and can be performed using any entry-level smartphone.
MeitY authorizes Ministries/Departments/Organizations, under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020, to use Aadhaar authentication for multiple use cases, including examination services. Currently, the Staff Selection Commission and Railway Recruitment Board are authorized to use face authentication in their examinations to verify the identity of candidates and other officials. The implementation of real-time face authentication during examinations is expected to prevent impersonation, reduce malpractices, enhance transparency, build trust among aspirants, and strengthen administrative accountability.
Key Entities Referenced
Aadhaar: A 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to residents of India, based on their biometric and demographic data. It serves as a digital identity for accessing various services.
Face Authentication: A type of biometric authentication that uses an individual's facial features to verify their identity in real time, often incorporating liveness detection features.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology: The Indian government ministry responsible for policies related to electronics, information technology, and the internet.
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI): The statutory authority responsible for issuing Aadhaar numbers in India.
Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge Rules, 2020: Rules authorizing Ministries, Departments, and Organizations to use Aadhaar authentication for multiple use cases including examination services.
Staff Selection Commission: An organization in India that conducts examinations to recruit staff for various posts in the various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and subordinate offices.
Railway Recruitment Board: An organization in India that conducts examinations for recruitment to various posts in the Indian Railways.
SHRI JITIN PRASADA: Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology
O.I.H.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2860
TO BE ANSWERED ON: 06.08.2025
USE OF AADHAAR-BASED FACE AUTHENTICATION IN NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS
†2860. SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:
SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA:
SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:
SHRI LUMBARAM CHOUDHARY:
SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:
DR. HEMANG JOSHI:
SHRI GODAM NAGESH:
SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA:
Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government plans to extend Aadhaar-based face authentication technology to other national-
level competitive examinations beyond its current applications;
(b) the steps being taken by the Government to scale up this technology infrastructure to prevent
impersonation and reduce examination malpractices effectively across different examination centres; and
(c) the manner in which digital identity verification systems including face authentication is expected to
enhance transparency, build trust among aspirants and strengthen administrative accountability in the
conduct of national examinations?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) to (c): The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) issues Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique
identification number, to residents based on their biometric and demographic data. It serves as a digital
identity for accessing various services through authentication carried out by respective organization
providing those services.
Face Authentication, is a type of biometric authentication, having liveness detection features, that uses an
individual’s facial features to verify his identity in real time. It provides anytime anywhere authentication
with any entry level smartphone, thus removing requirement of any additional biometric devices.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology authorizes Ministries /Department/ Organizations,
under Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020,
for use of Aadhaar authentication for multiple use cases including examination services. As of now, Staff
Selection Commission and Railway Recruitment Board have been authorised to use face authentication in
their examinations to verify identity of candidates and other officials.The real time face authentication during examinations helps in preventing impersonation and reduce
malpractices. It enhances transparency, build trust among aspirants and strengthen administrative
accountability.
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