AI Proctoring in Exams: A Game-Changer or a Privacy Nightmare?
Formfees
20/03/2025
Table of Contents
New Delhi, March 20, 2025 – The future of exam invigilation is shifting rapidly, with AI-based proctoring emerging as a potential replacement for human invigilators in high-stakes exams like JEE, NEET, CUET, and university entrance tests. As educational institutions experiment with AI surveillance, concerns over fairness, privacy, and errors are fueling a heated debate among students, teachers, and policymakers.
AI Proctoring: How It Works
AI-powered proctoring systems monitor candidates during exams using webcams, microphones, and machine learning algorithms. These systems can detect:
✅ Unusual eye movements or head turns (potential cheating behavior)
✅ Background noise or additional voices (indicating external help)
✅ Multiple faces in the frame (unauthorized assistance)
✅ Browser activity (attempts to open other tabs or applications)
Platforms like Mettl, ProctorU, and Examity are already being used by universities and online certification programs. Now, discussions are intensifying about whether AI proctoring should be expanded to national-level entrance exams.
Which Exams Are Experimenting with AI-Based Invigilation?
While CUET UG 2025 and JEE Mains are reportedly considering AI-based monitoring in select exam centers, some universities have already conducted pilot projects. For instance, Delhi University and IIT Madras have tested AI invigilation in remote exams.
However, many students and experts remain skeptical. Some universities in the US and UK have faced backlash after AI falsely flagged students as cheaters, leading to mental stress and appeals against unfair accusations.
Privacy and Accuracy Concerns
AI proctoring might seem like a foolproof solution, but it has serious limitations:
❌ False Flags: AI sometimes misinterprets nervous behavior (like looking around) as cheating.
❌ Privacy Issues: Continuous webcam and microphone surveillance raises ethical concerns.
❌ Bias in AI: AI systems have been criticized for misidentifying students based on skin tone, lighting, and facial expressions.
In 2023, a student from Johns Hopkins University reported that AI flagged him for “suspicious behavior” just because he moved his head frequently due to ADHD. This raises questions about AI’s fairness in diverse student populations.
Can AI Fully Replace Human Invigilators?
While AI can assist in monitoring, experts believe that completely replacing human invigilators is risky. The ideal solution may be a hybrid model, where AI detects anomalies but human supervisors make final decisions.
Student and Teacher Reactions
Students are divided on the issue:
🎓 Some welcome AI proctoring, saying it will make exams more secure.
⚠️ Others fear being falsely accused, leading to unnecessary stress.
👨🏫 Teachers and coaching centers argue that AI should not be the sole judge of cheating cases.
The Road Ahead
With AI’s role in education increasing, AI proctoring in national exams could become a reality in the coming years. However, balancing security, fairness, and student rights will be crucial. The NTA and UGC are expected to release guidelines soon on AI use in examinations.
