Karnataka Examinations Authority to deploy AI to prevent impersonation; 6 lakh apply for 1,000 village administration posts 

KEA to use biometric and facial recognition systems to prevent impersonation for all future recruitment and competitive examinations, including CET

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has decided to implement biometric verification and facial recognition to prevent impersonation in examinations.

This is the first time KEA, which conducts recruitment examinations for various government departments, boards, and corporations, as well as the Common Entrance Test (CET) for various courses, will be using AI.

On June 15, KEA floated tenders inviting bids for “palm fingerprint biometrics and facial recognition of candidates on a real-time basis” and “frisking solution equipped with live monitoring and attendance management”.

“We will be using AI technology to prevent impersonation for the recruitment examinations for three departments (Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board, and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation) scheduled from July to September,” H Prasanna, Executive Director of KEA, told Moneycontrol.

“We have also sent a proposal to the state government for approval to use biometric and facial recognition systems to prevent impersonation for all future recruitment and competitive examinations, including CET," he added.

"Recruitments are very important for the government, but a few people are trying to take undue advantage, indulge in impersonation or malpractices like sending someone else to appear for examinations. So, we thought we should be one step ahead of them," Prasanna said.

According to the tender documents, the use of palm fingerprint and facial recognition technologies will verify candidates' identities during examinations and the appointment process.

The system will be able to cover around 18,000 candidates spread across various districts of Karnataka. KEA will provide candidate data (including roll numbers, photos, exam dates/shifts) to the selected firm, which will utilise this information for palm fingerprint and facial recognition using handheld devices.  The firm will deploy handheld devices with integrated QR code scanners to capture palm fingerprints and conduct facial recognition at security gates before each examination session.

Facial recognition processes will involve comparing two images: one from online registration and another taken on the examination day. Physical verification of candidate photos against the KEA-provided application database will also be conducted at security gate entries. “Once the examination is over, we will share the data with the appointing authority so they can also check thumb impressions to ensure that the same person appeared for the examination,” Prasanna said.

Live monitoring

Officials said they will also implement an advanced frisking solution with live monitoring and attendance management to enhance the examination process's robustness. The selected firm will provide handheld metal detectors alongside frisking guards and enclosures. "Cameras will be set up the day before the examination, with dry runs conducted under KEA supervision, ensuring the camera's view remains fixed throughout the event" according to the tender document.

"Webcasted video feeds will be streamed live using 4G/3G facilities onto a portal, with links provided in advance and displayed on video monitors at KEA offices. The entire feed will be recorded and submitted to KEA on an external hard disk in unedited condition," the document said.

Prasanna said KEA will conduct webcasting much like the Election Commission of India, which conducts polls. "We will be able to monitor examination rooms from Deputy Commissioners' offices in respective districts or the KEA's head office in Bengaluru,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru-based Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) has also been planning to use technology to curb malpractices, reducing human intervention in the invigilation process.

Also, read: Body cameras, facial recognition, analytics: Govt institutions tap AI to fight exam cheating

Speaking to Moneycontrol, MK Ramesh, vice-chancellor of RGUHS, said: "We are now in the process of implementation. Digi tabs are now being provided for students and AI will soon be incorporated into the examination process.”

6 lakh applicants for 1,000 posts

As many as 6 lakh applicants have applied for 1,000 Village Administrative Officer (VAO) posts in Karnataka, according to KEA.

KEA will conduct recruitment examinations for VAO posts in the revenue department on October 27, 2024. VAOs are responsible for maintaining revenue administration, land records, and other related tasks.

"We will use technology for examinations for VAO once we get approval from the government since a large number of candidates are appearing for it," said Prasanna.

KEA officials said they are planning to conduct recruitment examinations for Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (4,080 applicants for 36 positions, including assistant accountant, assistant traffic inspector, constable, and technical assistant) on July 13 and 14.

Other examinations being conducted by KEA are: Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (27,237 applicants for 64 positions, such as first division accounts assistant (Group-C) and assistant engineer (civil), on August 11; Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (28,422 applicants for 2,500 conductor (Grade-III) positions, on September 1; and the Police Department (45,000 applicants for 402 Police Sub Inspector posts), on September 22.