CAT 2026 to use AI face recognition at centres, no entry denial if it fails

By TUF News Desk · Published 11 November 2026 · 3 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

CAT 2026 candidates will face a new check at the exam centre gate on November 29: AI-based face recognition. IIM Indore, the institute conducting this year’s Common Admission Test, will trial the technology for the first time. It works as an extra check next to the usual admit card verification, and no candidate will be turned away if the system fails to recognise them.

How the face recognition check will work

The human check stays in place. Every candidate must still show a printed admit card to an official at the centre, who matches the face on the card with the person standing in front of them. The AI system runs alongside that process. IIM Indore director Himanshu Rai told Careers360 the check is being introduced on an experimental basis, and the institute will study the system’s diagnostics after the exam to see how well it worked.

“Normally what would happen is that a human being would check the face against the admit card. But this time we are going to use AI,” Rai said.

Rai was clear about the limit of the trial. “We are not going to stop anyone from entering if the machine says no,” he said. The institute wants to find out whether AI can cut the time taken for face verification, especially when candidates arrive at centres in quick succession. If the experiment works, IIM Indore may rely less on manual verification in later years. It has not disclosed which AI tool or backend technology it is using.

Why IIM Indore is trying it

Large entrance exams have to stop impersonation while moving lakhs of candidates through centre gates quickly. IIM Indore already uses AI tools for classroom attendance, a practice it started last year, and is now extending the same idea to the CAT process. The face recognition trial sits alongside other security steps for this year’s exam, including mobile jammers at some centres.

The trial is limited on purpose. The machine only advises, and staff keep the final say. How IIM Indore reports the results after the exam, including accuracy and how candidate images are handled, will shape whether other national tests follow.

What candidates should do before November 29

For candidates, the exam day routine stays the same, with one addition at the gate. The test is a computer-based exam held on Sunday, November 29, in three sessions across about 170 cities. CAT 2026 admit cards have been available to download since November 6, and candidates can get them from the official CAT website until the day of the exam. A mock test with sample questions is also available on the site, and our admission documents checklist covers what exam portals usually ask candidates to keep ready.

This year 2,89,961 candidates have registered, slightly fewer than last year’s figure of about 2.95 lakh. Scores will stay valid until December 31, 2027.

Frequently asked questions

Will I be denied entry to CAT 2026 if the AI face recognition fails to match my face?

No. IIM Indore has said no candidate will be stopped from entering if the machine fails to recognise them. Staff will still verify each candidate against the admit card.

Do I still need to carry my CAT 2026 admit card?

Yes. The AI check is an extra step on top of the usual process. Every candidate must still show a printed admit card to an official at the centre.

When is CAT 2026 and how many candidates have registered?

CAT 2026 is on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in three sessions across about 170 cities. This year 2,89,961 candidates have registered.

Where can I download the CAT 2026 admit card?

From the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in. Admit cards can be downloaded from November 6 until the day of the exam.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: Careers360, Elets digitalLEARNING, NDTV