CAT 2026: IIM Indore to Test AI-Based Facial Recognition at Exam Centres; Candidates Won't Be Denied Entry

Candidates appearing for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 will encounter a new identity verification process at examination centres, as the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore plans to introduce artificial intelligence (AI)-based facial recognition technology for the first time.
The technology will be used alongside the existing manual verification process to check candidates' identities before they enter examination halls. However, IIM Indore has clarified that the AI system will not determine whether a candidate is allowed to appear for the examination. Anyone whose face is not recognised by the software will still be permitted to enter after the regular identity checks.
IIM Indore Director Himanshu Rai confirmed the development in an interview with Hindustan Times on November 12, 2026. He said the technology would initially be tested to examine its accuracy and identify areas that may require improvement.
How Will AI Facial Recognition Work at CAT 2026?
Under the proposed arrangement, AI-based facial recognition will serve as an additional identity check at examination centres. The system will compare candidates' faces with the photographs submitted during the CAT registration process.
Examination officials will continue checking candidates against their admit cards and conducting the existing physical verification procedures. The AI system will work alongside these checks rather than replace them.
The institute plans to assess whether the technology can identify candidates accurately and reduce the time required for verification, particularly when large numbers of students arrive at examination centres. However, IIM Indore has not disclosed the name of the software provider or the technical details of the facial recognition system.
Candidates Will Not Be Denied Entry If AI Fails
The introduction of facial recognition may raise concerns among candidates about technical errors, particularly if the software fails to match their photographs correctly.
Addressing these concerns, IIM Indore Director Himanshu Rai clarified that no candidate would be stopped from entering the examination centre solely because the AI system fails to recognise their face.
Manual verification will remain in place, with examination officials checking the candidate's identity against the admit card and other required documents.
The institute will review the results after the examination to identify differences between the machine-generated matches and human verification. This will help determine whether the technology is accurate enough for wider use.

IIM Indore Says No Additional Data Will Be Collected
The use of facial recognition has also brought attention to questions surrounding candidates' personal information and privacy.
According to Rai, the institute will use photographs and personal details already submitted by candidates during the CAT application process. He said the exercise would not require the collection of additional information for facial matching.
However, the institute has not publicly disclosed the software's technical specifications or detailed data-handling arrangements.
CAT 2026 Facial Recognition Trial to Be Reviewed After Exam
IIM Indore is introducing the technology on an experimental basis this year. Its performance will be assessed after the examination before the institute considers whether further changes or wider adoption are necessary. The review will focus on identification accuracy, possible mismatches and whether the technology can make entry procedures more efficient.
The institute has not announced facial recognition as a permanent feature of future CAT examinations. Its continued use will depend on the results of the trial.
CAT 2026 Exam Date, Registrations and Other Details
CAT 2026 will be conducted on November 29, 2026, across more than 350 examination centres in approximately 170 cities. The examination will take place in three sessions.
The CAT scores will be used by 22 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), along with other participating business schools, for admission to MBA and other management programmes. The results are expected in the first week of January 2027.
Candidates should carry their printed admit cards and the original photo identification documents specified in the examination instructions. They should also check their reporting time and examination centre details before travelling.
The introduction of AI-based facial recognition marks a new step in the use of technology in India's major entrance examinations. While the system could eventually make candidate verification faster, IIM Indore's decision to retain manual checks ensures that a technical failure will not become a barrier for students appearing for CAT 2026.