New Delhi: Using AI algorithms on face comparison, the National Testing Agency (NTA) identified around 56 candidates whose images match with some of the 20,000 top-ranked candidates of 2019 and 2020 exams. NTA has shared the information and images with test centres.

Ministry of  Education (MoE) has said that the details of these candidates will be shared with the institutions, so that, their entry is not allowed if the impersonation is proved.

Talking to TOI, an education ministry official said, “This is the third year NTA is conducting the computer-based JEE (Main). We have been hearing that some of previous years’ toppers would impersonate, score high and help secure a seat for someone else. Therefore, NTA decided to improve the system and alert institutions of such fraud. So it decided to monitor candidates. ”

The official said that after registration, NTA matched the images of candidates with those of previous years’ toppers. He added, “There may be repeat candidates but their details will remain the same. However, based on AI algorithms, we found that there are 56 such candidates whose image matches with someone from the top 20,000 of either 2019 or 2020 exams, but their credentials are different,” said the official.

JEE Mains 2021 will be conducted till 26th February, a total of 6.6 lakh candidates have registered for the engineering exam.