Dental commission warns college faculty over biometric attendance fraud, launches digital audit

The National Dental Commission (NDC) has warned dental colleges' faculty members for allegedly manipulating attendance by displaying photographs or videos on mobile phones to the biometric device to mark attendance. Following this, the NDC is also conducting a digital audit of the biometric attendance system installed in dental colleges across the country.

In a letter to dental colleges, NDC said that if any institution or faculty member is found to have manipulated or falsified biometric attendance records, strict action will be taken.

NDC may initiate action under the provisions of the National Dental Commission Act, 2023 and the Information Technology Act, 2000.

The online audit of the Online Faculty and Student Attendance Monitoring System (OFSAMS) will be for dental colleges. The Commission has directed all colleges to strictly comply with the rules and refrain from indulging in any such malpractice.

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Dental Colleges: Penalty for attendance fraud

According to the NDC statement, faculty members found could face penalties including suspension of admissions, cancellation of registration, blacklisting for up to six months, or a monetary fine under Section 25(1)(f) of the National Dental Commission Act, 2023.

The NDC has recently instructed all dental universities and colleges to ensure that postgraduate students fulfill biometric attendance norms before being allowed to sit for university exams.

As per Regulation 18(a)(i) of the DCI MDS Course Regulations, 2017, institutions are required to ensure that each PG student maintains at least 80% biometric attendance.