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Maharashtra government plans to strengthen biometric attendance in junior colleges to curb rising absenteeism as many Class 11–12 students opt for integrated coaching for JEE and NEET. Officials say students often skip lectures while staying enrolled. The move aims to ensure accountability, verify attendance digitally, and enforce compliance, with action against non-compliant institutions.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is set to strengthen the use of biometric attendance systems in junior colleges as part of efforts to address the growing trend of students opting for integrated coaching programmes for competitive examinations such as JEE and NEET.

Education department officials have expressed concern that a large number of students enrolled in Class 11 and 12 spend most of their time at private coaching centres while remaining absent from regular college lectures. The practice, commonly known as the integrated coaching model, allows students to focus on entrance examination preparation while maintaining enrolment in a junior college.

To ensure greater accountability, the state is considering stricter monitoring of student attendance through biometric systems. Officials believe that digitally recorded attendance will help verify whether students are regularly attending classes and meeting prescribed attendance requirements.

The move is expected to be accompanied by enhanced supervision of colleges to ensure compliance with attendance regulations. Authorities have indicated that institutions failing to maintain proper attendance records or permitting large-scale absenteeism could face action.