NEET, JEE Main 2026: NTA to Introduce Facial Recognition, Live Photo Checks to Curb Impersonation
NTA plans to introduce facial recognition and live photo capture for NEET-UG and JEE Main 2026 to strengthen identity verification and curb impersonation during exams.
National Testing Agency is preparing to introduce facial recognition and live photo verification for candidates appearing in NEET-UG and JEE Main from 2026. New system will change how students register for exams and how their identity is verified at test centres.
Live Photo to Be Captured During Application
For 2026 exams, candidates will no longer be allowed to rely only on uploaded photographs. While filling application form, students will have to capture a live photograph using a webcam or mobile camera. Image will be recorded instantly and linked to candidate’s application data.
Facial Verification Planned at Exam Centres
In addition to application-stage check, facial recognition will be used at exam centres. Facial data captured during registration will be matched again before candidates are allowed to enter exam hall. This will act as an extra layer of verification along with admit cards and identity documents.
JEE Main 2026 Likely to Be First to Implement Changes
This new verification system is expected to be introduced first with JEE Main 2026, starting January session. NEET-UG 2026 and other NTA conducted exams are likely to adopt same process after that. Similar technology has already been tested on a limited scale in earlier exams.
Aadhaar Details May Need to Be Updated
Candidates may be required to ensure that their Aadhaar photograph matches their current appearance, as mismatches between Aadhaar records and live images could cause issues during verification. NTA is expected to issue detailed instructions before registrations begin.
NTA announced the NEET 2024 exam date on September 19, 2023. NEET 2024 exam was conducted on May 5. The result of NEET 2024 was declared on June 4, 2024. After the result declaration, several irregularities and anomalies were found in the result and the scoring system. Hence, NTA is reconducting NEET 2024 on June 23, 2024, for 1,563 candidates who were awarded grace marks. The result will be declared on June 30, 2024. The NEET 2024 counselling process for the 15 per cent All India Quota (AIQ) seats is likely to be conducted from July 6, 2024 onwards.
The NEET 2024 application process was conducted from February 9, 2024, to March 16, 2024. The last date of application was extended from March 9, by a week. The application and correction windows were reopened in April. While the NEET exam dates were scheduled in September and July a couple of years ago owing to the pandemic situation, it took a toll on the medical admission schedule. To bridge this gap, NTA conducted NEET in May last year. The trend is being continued for NEET 2024 as well.
The duration of NEET exam is three hours. The exam timing is 2 PM to 5 PM. Test takers needed to report to the exam centre latest by 1 PM. They could not leave the exam hall before 5 PM.
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Abhay Anand is an experienced education journalist with over 15 years in print and digital media. Currently serving as Manager- Editorial at Shiksha.com, he specializes in higher education policy, student mobility,
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JEE Main city intimation slip 2026 will be available on the NTA official website jeemain.nta.ac.in tentatively in the third week of January for the session 1 exam. JEE Mains City slip have details about the JEE Main exam city in which the candidate is allotted the centre to appear in the exam and the date of exam. It helps candidates to plan their travel to the JEE Main exam centre in advance. JEE Main city intimation slip is different from the admit card.