Fake fingerprints for Biometric Attendance: NO data on defaulter medical colleges, 1 found guilty- NMC in RTI response

New Delhi: In response to a Right to Information (RTI) application, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has revealed that one medical college was found guilty of using fake fingerprints in AEBAS biometric system.

As per NMC's response to the RTI filed by Dr. Lakshya Mittal, the National President of the United Doctors' Front (UDF), only Rawatpura Sarkar Institute, Chandigarh, was found using fake fingerprints in the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS).

Terming it as "strange", the association has urged the Apex Medical Commission to ensure strict audits in the recently implemented face-based AEBAS. It has also urged the Commission to take proper action to ensure integrity in the system.

Filing the RTI application, Dr. Mittal had sought the list of defaulter medical colleges/institutes found violating the notice dated 23.07.2024, regarding impersonation in AEBAS biometric attendance using fake fingerprints.

He also sought the list of faculty members found involved in impersonation in AEBAS attendance, action taken reports against the defaulter medical colleges and faculty members till January 2025, and he also sought the attested copies of any warnings, penalties, or further communications issued by NMC to such institutions.

In response, NMC informed, "As per available information in record, complaint has been received against shri Rawatpura Sarkar Institute of medical Sciences and Research, Chhattisgarh. However no such list of defaulter medical colleges/institutions has been been maintained/available."

Regarding the details of action taken reports and other data sought under the RTI application, the Commission stated, "The matter is under Examination."

Speaking to Medical Dialogues regarding the issue, Dr. Mittal said, "It is both alarming and disappointing that, according to the recent RTI findings, only one institution—Rawatpura Sarkar Institute, Chhattisgarh—was held accountable for engaging in fraudulent practices using fake biometric fingerprints under the AEBAS (Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System). This issue is not an isolated incident, and many within the medical community have long raised concerns regarding the vulnerability of the AEBAS system to manipulation, especially given the alarming number of proxy attendances and fingerprint cloning."

"The fact that no comprehensive list of other potentially defaulting institutions has been provided raises significant questions about the effectiveness and transparency of the monitoring processes in place. It also highlights the possible systemic loopholes that continue to be overlooked, despite the system’s intended purpose to ensure accountability, transparency, and accuracy in faculty attendance. As a representative body of medical professionals, UDF firmly believes that such fraudulent activities undermine the integrity of our medical education system and tarnish the reputation of institutions that are committed to fostering high standards of teaching and learning. These unethical practices not only compromise the training of future doctors but also jeopardize the quality of healthcare in the country," he added.

However, Dr. Mittal expressed hope that with the implementation of face-based biometric attendance. He said, "With the face-based AEBAS system now being implemented, we remain cautiously optimistic. This move, scheduled for full implementation from May 1, 2025, has the potential to drastically reduce such fraudulent practices, as face recognition technology is much harder to manipulate than fingerprint-based systems."

"However, we strongly urge the National Medical Commission (NMC) to take immediate steps to audit all institutions thoroughly and ensure that no institution escapes scrutiny. In addition, there should be regular audits and transparent reporting mechanisms in place to guarantee that biometric systems are being used correctly. UDF calls on the NMC and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to provide a clear and publicly accessible record of institutions found to be violating the AEBAS system and to take appropriate actions to ensure accountability," he further mentioned.

Also Read: Fake Fingerprints for attendance! NMC Warns Faculties Against Impersonation in AEBAS