Digital Attendance System of Lok Sabha

Why In News?

Recently, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced that starting from the Budget Session 2026, Members of Parliament (MPs) will be required to mark their attendance digitally from their designated seats inside the House.

This move marks the discontinuation of the traditional practice where lawmakers signed a physical register or used digital tablets located in the lobbies outside the main chamber.

1. Mechanism and Technology

Seat-Based Recording: Unlike the previous system where attendance was marked in the lobby, the new system uses Multimedia Devices (MMDs) installed directly on the desk of every MP’s designated seat.
Authentication Methods: MPs can record their presence using three secure methods:
- Biometric Thumb Impression: A thumb scan on the console.
- Smart ID Card: Tapping their official identity card on the device.
- Personal Identification Number (PIN): Entering a unique PIN for login.
Real-time Integration: The MMDs are linked to the Parliament’s internal digital portal, allowing for instant logging and preventing the possibility of marking attendance after the House has been adjourned.

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2. Objectives and Significance

Ensuring Physical Presence: The primary aim is to ensure that MPs are actually present inside the House during proceedings rather than merely “signing and leaving.”
Financial Accountability: Under the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, MPs are entitled to a daily allowance only if they sign the attendance register. The digital system makes this process foolproof.
Enhanced Productivity: By requiring attendance from the seat, the system encourages participation in debates and reduces crowding in the lobbies.
Paperless Parliament: This initiative is a core component of the Digital Sansad project, aimed at eliminating the use of paper for attendance, agenda papers, and division (voting) lists.

3. Key Rules and Exemptions

Adjournment Constraint: Once the Speaker adjourns the House (due to disruptions or completion of business), the digital consoles are locked, and no further attendance can be marked for that session.
Exempted Members: It is important to note that Ministers and the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) are generally not required to sign the attendance register as their presence is recorded through other official parliamentary duties.
Hybrid Transition: While the digital system is now the primary mode, a manual register may be maintained temporarily to assist members during the transition phase.

4. Broader Context: Digital Sansad

Digital Sansad App: Launched in 2022, this platform provides a 360-degree view of legislative activities, including live telecasts, archival data, and personal dashboards for MPs to track notices and payments.
AI Integration: The Lok Sabha Secretariat is also testing Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for real-time translation and transcription of House proceedings to improve accessibility.

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Q. With reference to the recently implemented Digital Attendance System in the Lok Sabha, consider the following statements:
I. MPs are required to mark their attendance only from their designated seats inside the House using Multimedia Devices (MMDs).
II. The system allows members to mark their attendance even after the House has been adjourned for the day to ensure full daily allowances.
III. Ministers and the Leader of the Opposition are mandatory participants in this digital attendance marking to maintain uniform records.
IV. The system utilizes biometric thumb scans and smart card tapping for authentication.

Which of the statements given above are correct? 
(a) I and II only
(b) I and IV only 
(c) II and III only 
(d) I, III and IV only

Solution: (b)
Statement I Is Correct: The new rule mandates that attendance be marked from the designated seats inside the chamber, replacing the lobby-based system.
Statement II Is Incorrect: One of the key features is that the system is locked upon adjournment; if an MP arrives after the House is adjourned, they cannot mark attendance and will lose their allowance for that day.
Statement III Is Incorrect: Ministers and the Leader of the Opposition are typically exempted from the requirement to sign the attendance register.
Statement IV Is Correct: The MMD terminals support biometric scans, smart card (I-card) tapping, and PIN-based logins for secure authentication