In a significant step towards transparency and accountability in higher education, the Odisha Higher Education Department has launched a pilot Student Biometric Attendance System through the Higher Education Information Management System (HIMS).
Starting 25 August 2026, ten selected higher education institutions across the state will implement the new digital attendance mechanism.
The move aligns with the Operational Guidelines of the “Gyanodaya – Shikshya Ru Samruddhi” scheme. Beneficiaries under the scheme must maintain a minimum of 75% classroom attendance, which will now be verified through biometric or other digital modes recorded on HIMS.
Joint Secretary Mousumi Nayak, OAS (S), has directed the pilot institutions to complete student enrolment and mapping, capture biometric credentials, record daily attendance, and synchronise data with HIMS strictly as per the enclosed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
The ten pilot institutions are:
- MPC Autonomous College, Mayurbhanj
- Vikram Dev University, Jeypore
- Utkal University, Vani Vihar
- Model Degree College, Boudh
- Government Degree College, Tentulikhunti
- Udayanath Autonomous College, Adaspur
- B.J.B. Autonomous College, Bhubaneswar
- Kantabanji Vocational Degree College, Balangir
- Bhadrak Autonomous College, Bhadrak
- Prananath Autonomous College, Khordha
Under the HIMS Mobile Attendance Module, colleges must first complete one-time geo-tagging of their campus by the College Administrator. Staff (teaching and non-teaching) can mark their own attendance only when physically present on campus, verified by live GPS location and a real-time photograph. Teaching staff can then mark student attendance for scheduled classes after completing their self-attendance, selecting the relevant timetable details, marking Present (P) or Absent (A), capturing a classroom photograph, and submitting the record — all while remaining within the geo-fenced campus.
Each institution has been asked to nominate a Nodal Officer and report any technical or operational issues immediately to the HIMS technical team. Feedback from the pilot phase will guide refinements before a proposed statewide rollout.
The Department has termed the implementation “Most Urgent” and directed the HIMS team to ensure the module is fully functional with all necessary configurations completed before the pilot begins.
This location-based, photo-verified system is expected to curb proxy attendance, improve monitoring, and create a reliable digital record of student presence — strengthening both academic discipline and the integrity of scholarship schemes.
