NMC Mandates Aadhaar-Based Facial Authentication for Faculty Attendance from May 1, 2025
NEW DELHI, April 24, 2025 — In a significant step toward promoting transparency and eliminating fraudulent practices in India’s medical education system, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced that Aadhaar-based facial authentication will become mandatory for faculty attendance in all medical colleges starting May 1, 2025.
The move will replace the existing biometric fingerprint systems with a facial recognition mechanism linked directly to Aadhaar, India’s national identity system.
Aadhaar-Based Attendance: What Changes?
The NMC’s new mandate requires all medical faculty members to use the Aadhaar Face Authentication app, available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, for logging their daily attendance.
Key features of the new system:
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Elimination of biometric fingerprint devices
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Live facial scan synced with Aadhaar database for authentication
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Daily digital attendance logging via personal smartphones
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Real-time data integration with institutional and NMC monitoring systems
Addressing Ghost Faculty and Proxy Attendance
This overhaul comes in response to long-standing concerns over “ghost faculty” — individuals listed on college rolls but absent in practice — and the use of proxy attendance mechanisms.
By tying attendance directly to Aadhaar, the NMC aims to:
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Ensure only genuine, physically present faculty are counted
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Promote greater transparency in staffing
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Improve regulatory compliance across medical institutions
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Eliminate fictitious data entries and strengthen monitoring
In its public notice, the NMC stressed that this transition is part of a broader strategy to reinforce integrity and improve the overall quality of medical education in the country.
Implementation Guidelines and Support
To prevent disruptions, the NMC has urged all institutions and faculty to:
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Download and install the Aadhaar Face Authentication App immediately
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Test the application prior to the official start date
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Ensure smartphone compatibility and secure login credentials
Further operational guidelines, including troubleshooting protocols and compliance documentation, will be issued by the NMC shortly.
Institutes have been directed to provide support to faculty during the transition phase and report technical issues to designated NMC helpdesks.
Summary and Outlook
The NMC’s Aadhaar-based attendance initiative marks a pivotal shift toward digitization and accountability in India’s medical education infrastructure. With implementation set for May 1, 2025, this move is expected to curb manipulation, improve faculty monitoring, and ensure that medical education standards remain uncompromised across the nation.