CAT 2026 Candidates To Undergo AI-based Facial Recognition Check At Exam Centres

NEW DELHI: Candidates appearing for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 have to undergo an AI-based facial recognition check as part of their identity verification at the examination centres.

IIM Indore has decided to introduce the system at all its CAT examination centres. AI-based facial recognition check will be introduced for the first time for CAT. The new mechanism will be used to match candidates appearing for the examination with the photographs submitted during the application process, IIM Indore Director Himanshu Rai said.

However, there will also be physical verification of candidates’ admit cards like earlier. “So, students need not to worry about denial of entry into the centres due to any glitches or the AI system failing to recognise the candidate’s face,” Rai said.

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IIM Indore is testing the technology this year for accuracy and whether any modifications are necessary to improve it, the director said.

He has made it clear that no database of the candidates will be stored.

“The facial recognition mechanism will be used solely to match the candidate present at the examination centre with the photograph submitted at the time of application,” Rai said.

“Decisions concerning the conduct, processes and technological interventions for CAT are taken by the CAT Committee. It is not an independent decision of a particular institution,” he added.

The move is in line with IIM Indore’s embracing of AI across all its domains, especially learning.

“At IIM Indore, we are progressively integrating AI into our academic framework to ensure that students are equipped to understand and adapt to the rapidly evolving technological landscape. AI has become an integral part of most courses across our programmes,” Rai highlighted.

IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2026 on November 29. About 2.89 lakh candidates have registered for the exam this year.