New Delhi: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), in partnership with the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC), has conducted a pilot project to test Aadhaar-based face authentication during the NEET UG 2025 examination in Delhi.
The initiative aims to explore the use of facial recognition for candidate identity verification at high-stakes exams.
The Proof of Concept (PoC) was carried out at select exam centres during NEET UG 2025 to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of face authentication as a contactless verification method.
The technology uses real-time facial recognition matched against Aadhaar’s biometric database, integrated with digital systems managed by NIC and aligned with NTA protocols. Sources involved in the pilot said the move is part of broader efforts to reduce impersonation and strengthen examination integrity through digital verification tools.
According to UIDAI officials, the pilot showed a high level of accuracy in identifying candidates. The authentication process reportedly functioned efficiently without causing delays in the exam schedule.
While official data on error rates or authentication mismatches has not been released, authorities said the results support the possibility of wider implementation in future national-level entrance and recruitment exams.
Government agencies are viewing this trial as a test case for the use of biometric technologies in secure public service delivery. However, experts point out the need for transparent reporting of pilot data, including technical challenges, false rejection rates, and privacy safeguards, before scaling up the use of such technologies.
While the pilot is being seen as a step toward improving digital identity verification in examination settings, questions around consent, data storage, and transparency remain. Education and technology experts have urged that any future rollout be accompanied by clear policies on data protection and audit trails. The outcome of this pilot will likely inform future decisions on biometric applications in public-facing digital infrastructure, especially in high-risk or high-volume use cases like national examinations.
