IndiaAI, the independent business division under the Digital India Corporation (DIC) and the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), has launched the IndiaAI Face Authentication Challenge, inviting startups and technology firms to develop secure, scalable, and highly accurate AI-enabled solutions for facial verification and application de-duplication.
The challenge, part of the IndiaAI Application Development Initiative (IADI), carries a total prize pool of ₹2.5 crore and aims to ensure transparency, fairness, and integrity in large-scale public examinations across India.
According to IndiaAI, the competition seeks to leverage artificial intelligence for safeguarding merit-based selection processes and enhancing accountability in government recruitment and educational exams. The solutions developed will also have cross-sectoral potential for deployment across various ministries, state agencies, and digital governance systems.
Challenge Structure and Prizes
Participants must create an end-to-end application capable of photo verification and duplicate detection using advanced one-to-many facial matching algorithms. The goal is to ensure the issuance of a unique digital ID for every candidate, eliminating impersonation and fraud.
Up to 10 shortlisted teams will each receive ₹5 lakh to refine and test their models using sample datasets. The top two winning teams stand a chance to secure contracts worth up to ₹1 crore each for nationwide deployment of their final solutions.
Applications are open on the official IndiaAI website — indiaai.gov.in — and submissions will be accepted until October 25, 2025.
Strengthening India’s Responsible AI Ecosystem
The challenge supports the government’s broader IndiaAI Mission, which aims to democratize access to AI, foster innovation, and encourage the ethical and responsible use of technology.
By focusing on scalable and transparent solutions, the initiative aligns with India’s long-term vision of using AI to improve governance, service delivery, and citizen trust. It also underscores India’s position as a global leader in AI-driven digital public infrastructure, combining innovation with social accountability.
