Hyderabad– The Telangana Government Doctors Association (TGDA) has raised strong objections to the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) decision to roll out the Aadhaar-enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) using facial recognition technology across all medical colleges and institutions, starting May 1, 2025.
The current AEBAS system, which has been in place for several years, utilizes fingerprint-based authentication for tracking attendance. However, the NMC’s new directive to incorporate facial recognition has sparked controversy among medical professionals.
Privacy Concerns and Technical Challenges Raised
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of NMC and the Telangana Health Secretary, the TGDA expressed deep concerns about the privacy and data protection implications of linking the system with Aadhaar. The association pointed out that the move raises serious questions about the security of sensitive data, particularly in the absence of a comprehensive data protection law in India.
“We fully support accountability and transparency in public service, but mandatory facial recognition linked to Aadhaar creates significant privacy risks,” the TGDA stated in its letter.
Operational Issues and Unjust Penalties
The association highlighted recurring technical glitches in the system, including issues with poor internet connectivity, server downtimes, and errors in facial recognition. These problems, they claim, have already led to unjust penalties and disruptions in the daily operations of doctors, adding undue stress to an already demanding profession.
Concerns Over Professional Autonomy
The TGDA also criticized the rigid nature of the attendance system, arguing that it fails to account for the complexities of government medical duties, which often include night shifts, emergency services, and fieldwork. They noted that existing administrative mechanisms are already in place to monitor attendance and performance, and adding an invasive layer of surveillance was unnecessary.
Call for a Consultative Approach
The TGDA has urged the authorities to reconsider the mandatory rollout of the facial recognition system and to adopt a more consultative approach. They emphasized that such sweeping changes should be introduced only after discussions with all relevant stakeholders, including medical professionals.
