In a decisive move to curb the long-standing issue of ‘ghost’ faculty in medical institutions, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced that face-based Aadhaar authentication will be mandatory for faculty attendance starting May 1, 2025.
This new system will replace the existing fingerprint-based Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS). Faculty members will be required to use a face-authentication app, available on both Android and iOS platforms, to mark their attendance. According to the NMC, this change aims to enhance accuracy, ensure real-time monitoring, and eliminate the scope for manipulation.
Key Changes Introduced
- Face authentication to replace fingerprint-based attendance.
- Attendance will only be recorded within a 100-meter GPS radius of designated campus locations.
- The mobile app is mandatory for all faculty members.
The NMC has clarified that these steps are being taken to prevent fraudulent practices, particularly the presence of ‘ghost’ faculty — staff who appear only during inspections but are otherwise absent. Such issues have been reported frequently in non-clinical departments like anatomy, pharmacology, forensic medicine, biochemistry, and microbiology.
In 2024, several institutions, including government-run colleges in Karnataka, faced penalties for failing to meet faculty norms. The NMC hopes this face-ID-based system will enhance transparency and bring greater accountability across India’s medical education system.
