Facial Recognition Debuts Smoothly in KCET 2025 Kannada Test

The Common Entrance Test (CET) 2025 kicked off on Tuesday with the Kannada language exam for border and overseas Kannadiga students, witnessing the successful rollout of facial recognition technology for the first time. A total of 1,958 candidates appeared for the test, held across five centres in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Vijayapura, and Belagavi, while 542 students remained absent.

In a move mirroring national-level exams like JEE, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) introduced AI-powered facial scanning to curb impersonation and streamline the entry process. Candidates had their QR codes scanned, followed by real-time facial verification via a mobile app, before being granted access.

Many welcomed the tech upgrade. Aadarsh Patil, who came from Hyderabad, said the process was “quick and far better than manual ID checks.” Aparna Shyam, a parent, noted the stark difference from her CET days, applauding the AI integration.

However, some minor glitches were reported. Candidate Puneeth Agasmath faced a photo error on his admit card, causing a 15-minute delay. In other cases, QR codes failed, but officials resolved issues using students’ register numbers.

KEA confirmed that the facial recognition system worked in tandem with manual checks to ensure fairness and efficiency.

The main CET exams for Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology (PCMB) will take place on April 16 and 17, with 2.6 lakh students expected. The test will be held at 775 centres statewide, with webcasting and tight security measures in place.

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