West Bengal’s Higher Education Department is implementing a new AI system to identify fraudulent applications. This is a bold attempt to make college admissions more transparent. The system will work through the centralised admission portal and has already shown promise in a pilot test last year. It can verify identification documents, detect mismatched photos, and track suspicious patterns.
With over five million applications submitted in the first phase alone last year, this solution comes at a crucial time. Additionally, officials think AI will reduce administrative workloads and boost admissions process trust.
How West Bengal Plans to Stop Fake Entries?
The new AI system is designed to scan personal details like ID proofs, names, mobile numbers, and photos for signs of fraud. Furthermore, image recognition software is used to ensure that the uploaded images match the entered name and credentials. Several fraudulent applications were detected during its test run last year. Their source was identified as cybercafés, implying that stricter regulations are required.
This move follows a string of embarrassing incidents that exposed loopholes in the earlier system. In one case, a Kolkata college mistakenly placed actress Sunny Leone’s name on a merit list due to a prank submission. Other apps used the names of famous football players from around the world. These events burdened the system and delayed genuine college admissions.
AI System Makes College Admissions More Secure
The AI system has been integrated into the centralised admission portal and will be used across all government colleges. This move has received strong support from college principals. According to them, the new system lessens the amount of manual labor while also guaranteeing equity in college admissions. Since then, merit lists have been cleaned up, and fraud is less likely to impact worthy students.
These kinds of digital tools are crucial because the state processes applications from about 400,000 candidates. According to experts, the use of this technology in higher education reflects a larger trend. Thus, AI is being used more to increase administrative effectiveness and data security.
Higher Education Steps into a Smarter Era
The department intends to make minor adjustments in the future to further enhance the AI system. The goal is to detect even more fraud cases while maintaining an easy-to-use interface for legitimate applicants. Additionally, officials are looking into integrating advanced pattern-recognition tools that can monitor suspicious behavior over time.
This initiative reflects how higher education institutions are adapting to digital change. AI is changing education in a number of ways, including automated grading and smart classrooms. However, to prevent bias and mistakes, experts caution that appropriate data protections and human oversight must continue. Therefore, as these systems develop, accountability and transparency will be essential.
AI Systems Building a Fairer Admission Process
West Bengal’s adoption of an AI system to detect fake applications is a timely step in ensuring fair college admissions. The program aims to increase public confidence in higher education, decrease fraudulent entries, and ease administrative burdens. As a result, other states may use the system as a model as it is developed and expanded. Such AI technology could transform how universities handle admissions if ethics and protections are in place.
It also highlights the growing role of digital governance in shaping education policy. Over time, the system’s performance will need to be improved through constant observation and feedback. Above all, this initiative represents a change in admissions procedures worldwide toward greater accountability and transparency.
About The Author
