Why in news?
The Lok Sabha Secretariat announced that Members of Parliament will mark attendance digitally from their seats using a new Multi‑Media Device (MMD) starting from the Monsoon Session beginning 21 July 2025. The system is part of efforts to modernise Parliament and move toward paperless procedures.
How the new system works
- Each MP’s seat in the Lok Sabha chamber is equipped with an MMD terminal that already provides access to the day’s agenda and legislative documents.
- To record attendance, MPs can choose between three methods: scanning their biometric thumb impression, entering a personal identification number (PIN) or tapping their smart identity card.
- The system instantly logs their presence, eliminating the need to queue at lobby registers.
Additional digital initiatives
- The Lok Sabha is experimenting with artificial intelligence for real‑time transcription of speeches and interpretation into multiple Indian languages. This will improve accessibility and record‑keeping.
- The existing attendance tablets in the lobby will remain available for a short transition period.
- The Rajya Sabha is expected to adopt similar digital attendance systems soon.
Benefits
- Efficiency: Saves time previously lost in registering attendance manually and reduces congestion in the lobbies.
- Transparency: Creates an accurate record of MP attendance, which is linked to daily allowances and public accountability.
- Paperless governance: Supports the broader Digital Parliament initiative by integrating documents, voting and attendance on a single platform.
Conclusion
Digital attendance marks another step toward modernising India’s parliamentary processes. Integrating biometric verification, secure PINs and AI‑based transcription shows how technology can enhance efficiency and transparency in governance.