July 3, 2025

Governor C P Radhakrishnan has directed all vice-chancellors in Maharashtra to enforce biometric attendance for staff and students in universities and affiliated colleges. The directive aims to address concerns over declining attendance rates. While some universities use biometric systems for staff, no such arrangement exists for students. The directive has faced opposition from university staff, with challenges in implementation highlighted. The directive emphasizes regular attendance monitoring, with Mumbai University already linking staff salaries to attendance. However, no directive has been issued for students yet. Public universities in Maharashtra are yet to issue circulars to implement the directive. Some officials express concerns over the practicality of monitoring attendance in numerous colleges. A city college principal mentioned existing biometric systems for campus entry but lacks lecture attendance monitoring. There are issues with enforcing attendance norms in colleges, especially in unaided institutions. An expert suggests government intervention to ensure adherence to attendance norms, including setting up flying squads for surprise checks. This systemic issue requires collaborative efforts to resolve. Poor attendance has been cited as a reason for low exam results post-pandemic. The situation underscores the need for stricter attendance regulations and monitoring mechanisms in higher education institutions.

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Tags: Biometric attendance, College, Governor, Directive,