The Ministry of Electronics and IT stated that using Aadhaar’s facial recognition can build trust among aspirants and reduce malpractices in recruitment exams. SSC (Staff Selection Commission) and RRB (Railway Recruitment Board) are already using this method to verify examinees.
What is Aadhaar Face Authentication?
- It matches a person’s face with their original Aadhaar photo using phone cameras.
- Includes a “liveness” check to ensure the face is real-time and not a photograph or video.
- Useful where fingerprints are worn out or difficult to read (e.g., elderly, labourers).
Recent Developments
- EPFO now requires facial verification to generate Universal Account Numbers (UANs).
- India Post Payments Bank has also adopted facial authentication, supporting Digital India and financial inclusion goals.
- UIDAI is promoting face and iris scans for residents who face issues with fingerprint authentication.
Regulatory Framework
- Aadhaar authentication (including face ID) needs approval from the IT Ministry.
- As per SWIK Rules, 2025, proposals can be submitted via the SWIK Portal.
- Over 312 government bodies have received approval since 2020.
Use Cases Beyond Exams
- Recently, Sports Authority of India was allowed to use Aadhaar verification for athletes, coaches, and DBT schemes like Khelo India and TOPS.
STATUS OF AADHAAR IN INDIA – AS PER SUPREME COURT JUDGMENTS
Constitutionally Valid (2018 Judgment)
- In the landmark K.S. Puttaswamy (Aadhaar) case (2018), the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of Aadhaar.
- It ruled that Aadhaar does not violate the right to privacy when used reasonably and for legitimate purposes.
Mandatory Only for Welfare Schemes
- Aadhaar can be made mandatory for availing government subsidies and welfare schemes, like LPG subsidy, PDS, MNREGA, etc.
- This helps ensure that the benefits go only to genuine beneficiaries.
Not Mandatory for Private Services
- Private companies (like banks, telecom operators) cannot force people to link Aadhaar for services.
- This means no compulsion to link Aadhaar with mobile numbers or bank accounts.
Voluntary for PAN and ITR
- Linking Aadhaar with PAN and for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) is allowed and currently mandatory under law.
- This is upheld by the Court to prevent tax fraud and duplication of PANs.
Children’s Aadhaar Use Restricted
- Aadhaar is not mandatory for school admissions or exams.
- Children can’t be denied benefits for lack of Aadhaar but can be enrolled voluntarily.
Data Protection Emphasized
- The Court directed the government to strengthen data security and prevent misuse of Aadhaar information.
- UIDAI must ensure robust protection of biometric and personal data.
Conclusion:
Facial recognition under Aadhaar is emerging as a secure, inclusive, and transparent tool for identity verification in various public services, especially exams.
