Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 25: The Karnataka government is preparing to roll out an AI-driven attendance system across all its departments, replacing traditional methods such as biometric fingerprint scanning and ledger-based signatures.
The new system, called the Karnataka Advanced Attendance Management System (KAAMS), is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and geolocation technology. Employees will be required to mark their attendance by taking a selfie using their mobile phones while inside their office premises. The system will capture the attendance in real-time, making it nearly impossible to manipulate.
Karnataka has over 70 government departments with more than five lac employees. While many departments currently use biometric systems where employees swipe an ID card or scan their fingerprint, some still rely on the traditional ledger-based signing method—especially in government schools and colleges.
Sources indicate that biometric systems have often been misused, with employees finding ways to tamper with devices or bypass the system. However, the new AI-based system, designed with geofencing technology, ensures that attendance cannot be faked or manipulated.
Pankaj Kumar Pandey, principal secretary of the department of personnel and administrative reforms (DPAR - e-governance), stated that KAAMS captures attendance in real time and leaves no room for misuse.
The system was initially tested in some government hospitals and primary health centers under the health department. During the trial, it was observed that some doctors were not present at designated locations when marking attendance, said Srivyas HM, project director of the artificial intelligence division at CEG, in an interview with The New Indian Express. However, with the new system requiring employees to physically verify their presence through selfies, such discrepancies have been eliminated.
How KAAMS works
Employees must download the KAAMS mobile application and register once using their Aadhaar details. The government will integrate this system with its Human Resource Management System (HRMS) database, ensuring accurate records.
Employees need to click a selfie within 100-200 meters of their office premises.
The AI tool will compare the selfie with the employee’s Aadhaar photo to verify identity.
HRMS data provides location details of employees' workplaces, which are geofenced, ensuring they cannot mark attendance remotely.
The application automatically alerts department heads if an employee arrives late or leaves early.
Officials clarified that the system does not track employee movements beyond attendance verification. Employee data will remain securely stored with the state government and will not be shared with private entities.
Microsoft’s interest in AI collaboration
Meanwhile, IT minister M B Patil revealed that Microsoft has expressed interest in partnering with the Karnataka government to enhance AI-related initiatives in governance.
With KAAMS, Karnataka is set to become the first state in India to implement an AI-driven attendance system in government offices.