CAT 2026: AI-based facial recognition to verify candidates at all exam centres, physical admit card checks to continue

The Indian Institute of Management conducts the Common Admission Test each year to select candidates for postgraduate management programmes across the country. For the 2026 cycle, the testing authority announced the addition of an artificial intelligence driven facial recognition system that will scan each candidate as they enter the test hall. This technology is intended to confirm that the person presenting the admit card is the same individual who registered for the exam, reducing the risk of impersonation.

The new system will work alongside the existing requirement for candidates to present a physical admit card that bears their photograph and a barcode. Test centre staff will still verify the card manually before the facial scan is performed. Organisers emphasized that the combination of both checks provides a layered approach to security, allowing any mismatch to be flagged instantly. While the AI tool can quickly match faces against a database, the physical card remains a legal document that can be used for audit purposes.

Experts note that the move reflects a broader trend in Indian education to adopt digital verification methods while respecting established procedures. Candidates can expect a brief pause at the entrance as the scanner processes the image, but officials assure that the added step will not significantly lengthen the check‑in time. The implementation is being watched closely by other testing agencies that may consider similar upgrades to protect the integrity of high‑stakes examinations.