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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Withdraw 'disrespectful' remark against Rahul Gandhi and apologise: Pilot asks Rijiju
Mumbai (PTI): Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday hit out at Union minister Kiren Rijiju for passing a "disrespectful and inappropriate" remark against Rahul Gandhi, and asked him to apologise for it.
He was answering a query regarding Rijiju's reported statement in which he described Gandhi as the "most dangerous person" for India's security, and a purported video of a man claiming to be from Karni Sena issuing death threats to the Congress leader.
Addressing a press conference here, Pilot said, "When ordinary journalists criticise the government, they face FIRs and jail. But when threats are issued against the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi), there is silence. This shows the government's intention. LoP is a constitutional position. To describe him as a security threat is inappropriate and disrespectful. Even as such open threats are being made, the government is not taking any action."
"The statement 9against Gandhi) should be withdrawn and an apology should be issued," the Congress general secretary said, adding that it is the job of the LoP to seek accountability from the government and ask questions.
To a query on the plane crash in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on January 28, Pilot said, "I do not want to speculate. There should be a transparent, time-bound inquiry. If there are doubts, a high-level investigation should clarify facts."
When asked about the demand for leadership change in the opposition INDIA bloc, he said, "Leadership decisions are internal matters. The alliance worked remarkably well in the last Lok Sabha election. The gap in numbers between the INDIA bloc and the NDA was not very wide. We are working together strongly and will continue to do so."
The Congress has been helming the INDIA bloc, a coalition of Opposition parties formed before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to counter the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, voices from disgruntled Congress members and those associated with the UPA dispensation suggested that the leadership of the opposition alliance should be given to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin.
On Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Indian economy, Pilot said, "India is a major IT power. We have talent and capability. Many countries see India as a natural partner. But we must use our strengths wisely and not compromise our sovereignty under pressure."
"India should have the freedom to decide where to buy oil from. That is a sovereign decision," Pilot said.
On the issue of illegal migration, he said anybody staying illegally in India should be removed regardless of religion or caste.
"But this issue should not be politicised. If the border has been under control for 11 years, how did illegal immigrants enter? The government should provide data on how many people have been deported," he said.
"This government's intent and policies are anti-farmer and there is no accountability. The opposition will continue to demand answers from the government and stand with farmers and the people of India," he said.
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