Key facts
- Karnataka government launched an AI-powered attendance system called Kartavya.
- The system uses geofencing and AI-based facial recognition to monitor employee attendance.
- Kartavya was developed entirely within the government's ecosystem without external private company assistance.
- The number of registered employees increased by over 25% in a week, with daily attendance rising.
- The system is monitored daily by the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and district-level officials.
The Karnataka government has launched 'Kartavya', an advanced AI-powered and geofencing-based attendance management system aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public administration. This initiative follows directives from Chief Minister D K Shivakumar for 100% employee attendance and prompt response to public grievances.
The new system is designed to overcome the limitations of the previous biometric system, which allowed employees to mark attendance digitally and then leave the premises. Kartavya accurately tracks employees' physical presence and geographical location within their workplace.
Developed entirely within the government's own ecosystem by the Centre for e-Governance and the Karnataka AI Cell, the system has saved significant vendor costs while enhancing data security and technological autonomy. Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh described Kartavya as a symbol of Karnataka's commitment to innovation-driven governance, leveraging AI and digital innovation to strengthen institutions and improve public services.
Kartavya features AI-based facial recognition, geofencing, an integrated employee database, and mobile applications for attendance marking, leave applications, and out-of-office duty registration. The system is being rapidly implemented across government departments. In just one week, registered employees increased by over 25% to more than 3.01 lakh, with average daily attendance also seeing a substantial rise. Currently, over 4.78 lakh employees across 42 departments are part of the system, with more than 3.01 lakh registered. Employees have reportedly welcomed the mobile-based system, which eliminates the need to queue at biometric machines. The system's dashboard is actively monitored by top officials at state and district levels.