IndiaAI Launches ₹2.5 Crore Face Authentication Challenge to Strengthen Fairness in Public Examinations

New Delhi, October 15: IndiaAI, an Independent Business Division (IBD) under the Digital India Corporation (DIC) of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), has launched the IndiaAI Face Authentication Challenge with a ₹2.5 crore prize pool to promote transparency and integrity in public examinations.

The challenge, part of the IndiaAI Application Development Initiative (IADI), invites startups and companies to develop highly accurate, secure, and scalable AI-enabled solutions for image verification and application de-duplication. The goal is to ensure just, fair, and merit-based selection by preventing impersonation and multiple applications in large-scale recruitment or examination processes.

Participants are tasked with creating end-to-end AI systems capable of one-to-many image matching and automated de-duplication against historical applicant databases. Solutions are expected to leverage advanced facial verification algorithms, moving beyond traditional logic-based models, to ensure that each candidate receives a unique authenticated identity.

Prizes and Support:

• Up to 10 shortlisted teams will receive ₹5 lakh each to refine and test their models on a sample dataset.
• Up to two winning teams will be awarded a two-year deployment contract and up to ₹1 crore each for implementation.

The initiative aligns with the government’s vision of “AI for All”, promoting responsible and inclusive AI innovation. Entries are open until October 25, 2025, through the official portal at indiaai.gov.in.

IndiaAI, the implementing agency of the IndiaAI Mission, seeks to democratize the benefits of artificial intelligence, foster technological self-reliance, and establish India as a global leader in ethical AI innovation.