India’s National Testing Agency is tightening identity verification measures for major entrance examinations, with public materials and media reporting pointing to expanded use of live photo capture and facial verification checks aimed at reducing impersonation and exam fraud.
An NTA Information Bulletin for 2026, published on an official government-hosted domain, confirms that applicants will be required to submit a live photograph during the registration process. The bulletin specifies that the image must be captured using a camera or webcam, with a QR-code-based fallback option for candidates whose devices lack a camera. Guidance in the document specifies composition requirements, including a light background, at least 80 percent face visibility, and no masks.
In parallel, Indian media outlets have reported that NTA plans to extend identity checks at exam centers using facial recognition or live photo verification. These reports describe the measures as part of a broader effort to strengthen exam integrity and prevent candidate substitution. Coverage from national broadcasters and major newspapers frames the initiative as an expansion of identity verification rather than a standalone pilot, although reporting relies on summaries and briefings rather than a dedicated NTA circular focused exclusively on biometric verification at exam centers.
What remains clear from official materials is that live photo capture is now embedded in the application workflow, while reporting suggests additional checks may be applied during exam entry. Media accounts describe these checks as comparing the candidate appearing at the exam center with previously captured images, though specifics around matching methodology, data sources, or operational thresholds have not been detailed in official bulletins.
The reporting also notes that NTA has not publicly confirmed whether Aadhaar-based e-KYC is required for these processes or whether alternative identity pathways will remain available. Historically, NTA has operated exam workflows that support both Aadhaar-linked and non-Aadhaar verification methods, depending on exam type and candidate circumstances.
The changes are being introduced ahead of large-scale national exams administered by NTA, including engineering and medical entrance tests that involve millions of candidates annually. Any expansion of biometric or image-based verification at this scale represents a significant operational shift for exam administration in India.
The move builds on India’s expanding use of Aadhaar-based biometric verification in education. UIDAI successfully piloted Aadhaar facial authentication during the 2025 NEET medical exam, and the government has expanded Aadhaar face authentication access to private sector apps for use cases including exam registrations. India’s medical schools also transitioned to face-based Aadhaar attendance systems in 2025.
Sources: NTA Information Bulletin, Times of India, Economic Times
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By Cass Kennedy
