NMC Mandates Face-Based Aadhaar Attendance System in Medical Colleges From 1 May

The National Medical Commission has directed all medical colleges to adopt face-based Aadhaar authentication for attendance starting 1 May 2025, replacing the current biometric system. Colleges must share GPS data and install a dedicated mobile app. The move, aimed at streamlining attendance monitoring, has faced backlash from doctors, who call it humiliating and question the Commission's priorities.

- SUBHENDU MAITI

In a bid to tighten monitoring of attendance among doctors and students in medical colleges and institutions across the country, the National Medical Commission (NMC)—the sole regulatory body overseeing medical education—on Wednesday directed all states and Union Territories (UTs) to implement a face-based Aadhaar authentication system from 1 May.

At present, attendance in all private and government medical colleges across states and UTs is being recorded through AEBAS (Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System) for teaching faculty and other employees.