Aadhaar face ID can ensure exam Transparency

• Aadhaar Authentication:
  • A process wherein a resident’s Aadhaar number, along with biometric (fingerprint/iris/face) or demographic data, is submitted to UIDAI for verification.
  • Returns a “Yes/No” response to confirm identity.
• Aadhaar Face Authentication:
  • Uses facial recognition by matching the user’s live face image with their photograph in the UIDAI database.
  • Involves a “liveness” check to prevent spoofing using photos/videos.
  • Useful where fingerprints/iris fail (e.g. aged, manual laborers).
• SWIK Rules (2020 & 2025 Amendment):
  • SWIK = Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge.
  • Under these rules, government/private organisations can apply for permission to use Aadhaar-based authentication for “good governance” purposes.
  • 2025 amendment clarified procedural vetting through UIDAI and portal-based application via the SWIK Portal.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance, Education)

KEY OBJECTIVES

• Combat Impersonation in competitive exams (e.g. SSC, RRB).
• Reduce fraud in welfare delivery (e.g. DBT schemes).
• Improve accuracy in identity verification (e.g. attendance, recruitment).
• Strengthen accountability of authorities via transparent processes.
• Enable access to digital services for those with worn-out biometrics.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS (As of August 2025)

• Ministry of Electronics and IT to Parliament:
  • Facial authentication to boost transparency in competitive exams.
  • Aims to build aspirant trust and enhance administrative accountability.
• Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) & Staff Selection Commission (SSC):
  • Already authorized to use Aadhaar face authentication for exam candidates.
• Sports Authority of India (SAI) – August 2025:
  • Approved to use face authentication for:
    • Verifying athletes, coaches, staff under schemes like Khelo India, TOPS, and NCOEs.
    • Processes include registration, attendance, and DBT payments.
• EPFO Circular (July 2025):
  • Aadhaar Face Authentication now mandatory to generate Universal Account Numbers (UANs).
• India Post Payments Bank (July 2025):
  • Adopted face authentication for its services.
  • Framed as supporting Digital India and Financial Inclusion.
• UIDAI’s push:
  • Promoting face and iris authentication to support:
    • Elderly and laborers with damaged fingerprints.
    • Inclusion of underserved sections.
• SWIK Portal Performance:
  • Around 1–6 proposals approved per month.
  • Cumulative: 312 Union and State organisations approved since 2020.

GOVERNANCE & POLICY IMPLICATIONS

• Transparency & Accountability:
  • Real-time face verification discourages impersonation, especially in exams and recruitment.
  • Greater public trust in examination processes and welfare systems.
• Inclusion:
  • Ensures access for elderly, disabled, and workers who suffer biometric degradation.
  • Supports DBT, digital identity, and service delivery.
• Privacy Concerns:
  • Use of facial recognition raises questions on data security, consent, and surveillance.
  • Requires robust data protection frameworks and UIDAI compliance.
• Legal Framework:
  • Use of Aadhaar (especially biometric) tied to Section 4 and 8 of Aadhaar Act, 2016, amended via Aadhaar & Other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2019.
  • Voluntary use stressed post Puttaswamy (2018) privacy judgment.

CHALLENGES & CRITICAL ISSUES

• Authentication Failures:
  • Though facial authentication helps, it still faces tech limitations (lighting, quality, camera resolution).
  • Infrastructure gaps in rural/low-income areas.
• Consent & Voluntariness:
  • Concerns that authentication might be de facto mandatory, violating privacy norms.
• Surveillance Risk:
  • Potential for misuse or overreach of facial recognition tech if not regulated properly.
• Need for Oversight:
  • UIDAI vetting helps but independent audits and citizen grievance redress mechanisms are essential.