From June 2025, government and aided schools in Karnataka will implement an AI-driven facial recognition system to track student attendance. The initiative, named ‘Nirantara’, was introduced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the 2025-26 state budget as part of the plan to modernize the education sector.

The Department of School Education and Literacy is in the process of developing a mobile application powered by AI, which will enable teachers to capture attendance through facial recognition. Teachers will install the app on their smartphones, eliminating the need for extra equipment. A tender will be floated for the app’s development, with a planned rollout by June 2025.

How It Works:

  • Easy Operation: Teachers will take multiple images of students in the classroom, capturing specific facial features such as the eyes and nose to mark their attendance.
  • Efficiency: The system will allow teachers to record attendance for up to 50 students within seconds, ensuring quick and accurate tracking.
  • No Additional Hardware Required: The app will be directly installed on teachers’ smartphones, making the process more convenient.

Key Benefits:

  • Precise Attendance Tracking: The goal is to ensure accurate attendance records and identify students who are frequently absent.
  • Improved Government Program Monitoring: This data will help in analyzing the success of government schemes like mid-day meals, Ksheera Bhagya, and egg distribution.

Privacy and Pilot Testing:

Student privacy will be safeguarded, as no photos will be stored. The app was successfully trialed in Uttara Kannada district, leading to its state-wide implementation.

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