New strict security rules are coming for students taking the NEET UG exam from 2026 . The National Testing Agency (NTA) will introduce live photo capture during application and facial biometric verification at exam centres. These steps aim to stop cheating and ensure only the correct student takes the test, following major issues with the NEET UG 2024 results .
The NTA's decision is part of a bigger plan to make national entrance exams more secure and trustworthy. The new system will help prevent someone else from taking the exam on behalf of a real student, which is called impersonation.
Key Changes for NEET UG 2026
| Change | When | What It Means |
| Live Photo Capture | During application for NEET UG 2026 | Students must take a real-time photo using a webcam or phone camera. This photo will be stored with their application. |
| Facial Biometric Verification | At exam centres for NEET UG 2026 | Before entering the exam hall, a student's face will be scanned and matched with their live photo taken during application. |
Live Photo Mandatory for Application
Starting from the 2026 admission cycle , all NEET UG students will need to take a live photograph while filling out their application form online. This is an important step beyond just uploading a saved photo. The live photo will be captured instantly using a webcam or mobile camera and will be directly connected to the student's application details. This method helps the NTA confirm that the person applying for the exam is truly the same person who registers.
Facial Scans at Exam Centres
On the day of the exam, another important check will happen. Facial biometric verification is planned at all exam centres. This means a scan of the student's face will be taken at the entrance of the exam hall. This facial data will be compared with the live photo and other details saved during registration. This extra check adds another layer of security, making it harder for anyone to pretend to be someone else. This will be done in addition to checking admit cards and other identity documents.
Why These Changes? Looking Back at NEET UG 2024
The introduction of these strict biometric checks comes after a very challenging time for the NEET UG exam . The results for NEET UG 2024 led to widespread concerns across the country. Many students scored unusually high marks, and several even achieved a perfect score of 720 out of 720 . There were strong allegations of question papers being leaked before the exam. Reports also pointed to other problems at various exam centres and the controversial decision to give grace marks to some students. These issues led to protests by students and their parents in many states.
While the Supreme Court decided not to cancel the entire NEET UG 2024 examination , it closely questioned the way the NTA operates. The court noted that there was no strong proof of a large-scale or organized paper leak that would justify cancelling the whole exam. However, the controversy put a lot of pressure on the NTA to improve its processes. Following this, the central government formed a high-level committee. This committee's main job is to review how national-level entrance exams are conducted and to suggest ways to make them more transparent, responsible, and secure.
Future Ready: Pilot Tests and Guidelines
Facial recognition and other biometric tools have been key recommendations in discussions about improving entrance examinations. To test this technology, a trial run using Aadhaar-linked facial authentication was reportedly carried out during the NEET UG 2025 exam at certain centres. This pilot helped the NTA understand how the system works in real exam settings before rolling it out widely.
The NTA will soon release detailed instructions for the NEET UG 2026 registration process . These guidelines will clearly explain how students must take their live photos, how the facial biometric checks will be done, and what exact identity documents are required. Students may also be advised to ensure their Aadhaar details and photographs are up-to-date well before the application window opens. This will help avoid any last-minute difficulties for applicants.
