Karnataka to roll out centralised facial recognition attendance system for PU college staff
Bengaluru: The Director for School Education and Literacy (Pre-University) will reportedly be introducing a facial recognition system to record the attendance of lecturers and principals in PU colleges across Karnataka from December 2025.
At present, a biometric system is used to track the attendance of lecturers in colleges, but it operates on a decentralised basis. Attendance is recorded individually at each college, rather than being centrally managed.
“The current facial recognition system is a centralised one which means the director of PU department can access and keep a tab on the attendance of lecturers and principals. An app called Karnataka Attendance Management System (KAMS) has to be downloaded by lecturers, principals and clerical staff of a college,” The New Indian Express quoted an official from the Department of Pre-University Education as saying.
The official explained the process that when lecturers arrive at college, they need to log in, take a picture that captures the address or geotag of the college location, and upload it to KAMS. For lecturers on deputation to two different colleges, they must upload a picture each time they visit either college on their assigned days.
This isn't the first time the facial recognition system has been introduced in colleges. Earlier this year, the system was tested on a pilot basis in one of the PU government colleges in Gadag, where it produced positive results, added the report.
The official noted that the centralised system eliminates the hassle of spending money on the maintenance of biometric systems. Since each college in the state has purchased its system from different vendors, the vendors charge whatever they wish, and when the machines break down, they often fail to address complaints, particularly in rural areas, the official added.
Karnataka has approximately 2,000 government and aided PU colleges, employing around 7,627 lecturers. The introduction of the facial recognition system was also announced in the State Budget for 2025–26.
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Former India hockey coach Michael Nobbs dies
Melbourne (PTI): Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men's team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a prolonged illness.
He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women's international and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos star.
"Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport," Hockey Australia said in a statement.
Nobbs represented Australia as a defender, playing across the half-back line and at fullback, and was renowned for his reliability, fitness and professionalism. He earned 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring one goal, and was a member of one of the strongest eras in Australian men’s hockey, said Hockey Australia on its website in its tribute.
Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 Hockey World Cup in Bombay and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
While part of a generation widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest, he consistently held his place through hard work, discipline and trust earned from teammates and coaches, Hockey Australia wrote.
Nobbs took over the coaching of the Indian men's team in 2011 after it had failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. While India were brilliant in the qualifiers, the team finished last at the London extravaganza which also expedited the Australian coach's sacking.
Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.
