Patna: The Bihar Education Department has tightened its monitoring of biometric attendance in aided intermediate and affiliated degree colleges, seeking attendance records from 235 institutions across the state.
The department has indicated that grant funds used for the salaries of teachers and employees could be withheld if the prescribed biometric attendance requirements are not followed.
College principals have been directed to submit details of biometric attendance maintained by their teaching and non-teaching staff. The department will examine the reports before deciding on further action.
Officials have also warned that employees who fail to comply with the attendance requirements could face disciplinary action.
Biometric attendance linked to grant distribution
The move follows an order issued by the department in May 2026, under which grant funds in aided colleges were to be distributed among teachers and employees based on their biometric attendance.
The system has been made applicable from the 2026-27 academic session. The latest demand for attendance records is part of the implementation of this system.
The department is now seeking records from the concerned colleges to assess compliance with the biometric attendance requirement.
Schools also covered under attendance-based grant system
The biometric attendance-based grant mechanism is not limited to colleges. A similar system has been prescribed for aided secondary and higher secondary schools that receive grants based on examination results.
The department has issued directions to secretaries, principals and headmasters of aided secondary and higher secondary schools that have received establishment permission and recognition.
Under the system, the grant amount is to be distributed among teachers and employees according to their posts and a prescribed formula.
Teachers and employees divided into four categories
For the purpose of distributing the grant, the department has classified teachers and employees into four categories.
- Category 1: Principals and headmasters
- Category 2: Teachers and lecturers
- Category 3: Laboratory technicians, computer assistants, librarians and office assistants
- Category 4: Caretakers, office attendants and guards
Under the prescribed formula, principals and headmasters will receive the largest share of the grant, followed by teachers and lecturers.
The department has directed institutions to distribute the grant strictly according to the prescribed system and formula, with biometric attendance forming a key basis for the process.
