Tech Thwarts Exam Fraud: Bengaluru’s Facial Recognition App Nabs Impersonator in CET
Bengaluru, April 18, 2025 – In a bold but failed attempt to cheat the system, an impersonator was caught red-handed at a Bengaluru examination center—thanks to a cutting-edge facial recognition app deployed by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). The incident, which unfolded at Silver Valley Public PU College, marks the first major success of the state’s new anti-cheating tech in the ongoing Common Entrance Test (CET).
The Great Escape (That Didn’t Happen)
The drama began when a woman, claiming to be Tuba Fatima Jameel, arrived to take the mathematics paper. But instead of heading to the exam hall, she made a beeline for the restroom—and stayed there for nearly an hour. Suspicion grew among invigilators, and when she finally emerged, the facial recognition app delivered the knockout blow.
As she scanned her admit card’s QR code, the app flagged a mismatch between her live image and the registered photo. Before authorities could confront her, the imposter bolted, leaving behind a forged admit card bearing the name of the actual candidate, Tabu Naaz.
“She altered the exam dates and pasted her photo over the original—but the tech was smarter,” said H. Prasanna, KEA’s Executive Director. “This is why we invested in this system.”
Big Brother Is Watching
The KEA’s facial recognition app, introduced this year, cross-references real-time candidate photos with their registration records. Officials demonstrated its effectiveness during surprise checks at Malleshwaram’s government PU college, where they manually verified students using the app.
“First time, first success,” Prasanna remarked. “We’re sending a clear message: cheating won’t fly anymore.”
What’s Next?
- Evidence Hunt: The college has been asked to submit CCTV footage.
- Legal Action: Once the imposter’s identity is confirmed, police complaints will follow.
- Broader Rollout? Education officials are now considering expanding the tech to other exams.
The Bigger Picture
With exam fraud becoming increasingly sophisticated, Karnataka’s move to AI-driven verification could set a national benchmark. As Prasanna put it: “Fair exams aren’t just about vigilance—they’re about smarter vigilance.”
