IndiaAI Launches Face Authentication Challenge to Boost Transparency and Integrity in Public Examinations with ₹2.5 Crore Prize Pool ; Applications open till 25th October 2025

IndiaAI, an Independent Business Division (IBD) under the Digital India Corporation (DIC) of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), today launched the IndiaAI Face Authentication Challenge, as part of the IndiaAI Application Development Initiative (IADI). This challenge invites startups and companies to develop a highly accurate, secure, and scalable AI-enabled solution for image verification and application de-duplication. The core objective is to leverage AI to strengthen the integrity of large-scale public examinations, ensuring a just, fair, and impartial merit-based selection of candidates. Solutions should have cross-sectoral applicability for deployment across various government departments and State organisations.

The Challenge requires participants to develop an application capable of robust photo verification and de-duplication using one-to-many matching techniques against historical applicant databases. This end-to-end AI solution must move beyond traditional logic-based methods, utilizing advanced facial verification algorithms for automated duplicate detection. The goal is to guarantee the issuance of a single, unique ID for every authorized applicant, safeguarding institutional integrity.

Exciting Prizes for Challenge Participants:

Up to 10 shortlisted teams will receive INR 5 Lakhs each to refine and test their solutions on a sample dataset.

Up to two top teams may be awarded a two-year contract and up to INR 1 Crore for final solution deployment.

This initiative aligns with the Government of India's vision of leveraging AI for inclusive growth and responsible development of AI. Interested participants can find the application portal and submission guidelines on the IndiaAI website: indiaai.gov.in. The last date for form submission is 25th October 2025.

IndiaAI is the implementation agency of the IndiaAI Mission, which aims to democratize AI's benefits across all strata of society, bolster India's global leadership in AI, foster technological self-reliance, and ensure ethical and responsible use of AI.

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Dharmendra Tewari\ Navin Sreejith