How Attendance Tracking Actually Works in Somaiya

Every Somaiya student knows the number: 75%.

That's the minimum attendance threshold. Fall below it, and things get complicated. Stay above it, and life is peaceful.

But have you ever wondered how the system actually works? What happens when you tap that card? Where does the data go? How accurate is it really?

Let me break down everything behind the attendance system.

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📅 December 2025 Update: What's Changed

The attendance system has evolved this academic year:

#OPINION: The hybrid system is actually fairer - you can now prove attendance even if the card reader failed. But it also means fewer excuses work!

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Part 1: The Methods of Attendance Tracking

Somaiya uses multiple methods to track attendance, depending on the college and the situation:

Method 1: Manual Roll Call

The old-school way (still used in some classes).

Teacher calls names. Students respond "Present" or "Yes sir/ma'am." Teacher marks attendance in register or system.

How it works:

• Teacher has a list of enrolled students
• Names are called at the start (or end) of class
• Responses are recorded
• Data enters the central system within hours (2025 - faster than before)

Accuracy factors:

• Depends on teacher's attention
• Class size matters
• Timing of roll call matters (early = catches latecomers, end = catches early leavers)

Student strategies (not recommended, but known):

• Answering for absent friends (risky - teachers now cross-check faces)
• Coming just for roll call
• "I was here, you didn't hear me"

Method 2: Attendance Sheets

The paper trail method.

A sheet is passed around. Students sign next to their name.

How it works:

• Sheet with student names circulates
• Each student signs in their row
• Sheet is collected and entered into system

Accuracy factors:

• Easy to sign for absent friends (if not monitored)
• Handwriting verification possible but rarely done
• Sheet can go missing or have issues

Method 3: Digital/Biometric Systems

The modern method.

Students use ID cards, fingerprints, or other biometric data to mark presence.

How it works:

• Students tap ID card at readers
• Or use fingerprint scanners at entry/exit
• Data is automatically logged with timestamp
• Central database records entries

Accuracy factors:

• Harder to proxy (but not impossible)
• Technical issues can occur
• Timing matters (tap too late = marked absent)

Method 4: App-Based Attendance

The smartphone era method.

Some courses use apps where students mark attendance via their phones.

How it works:

• Teacher generates a code or opens a session
• Students mark attendance on app within time window
• Location/IP verification may apply
• Data syncs to central system

Accuracy factors:

• Location spoofing attempts (risky)
• Network issues
• Device problems
• Time window limitations

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Part 2: The Backend — Where Data Goes

When you mark attendance (by any method), here's what happens behind the scenes:

Step 1: Data Collection

Each attendance event creates a record:

• Student ID
• Date and time
• Course/Lecture code
• Teacher code
• Method used

Step 2: Central Database

All records flow to a central database. This database maintains:

• Your overall attendance percentage
• Per-subject attendance
• Historical data
• Patterns and anomalies

Step 3: Calculations

The system calculates:

• Total lectures conducted per subject
• Lectures you attended
• Percentage = (Attended ÷ Conducted) × 100

This updates in real-time or near-real-time.

Step 4: Reporting

The data generates:

• Student-facing reports (you can check your attendance)
• Faculty dashboards (teachers see class-wise data)
• Administrative reports (for policy enforcement)
• Parent notifications (in some cases)

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Part 3: The 75% Rule

Why 75%?

The 75% minimum attendance requirement comes from:

• University guidelines
• Regulatory requirements
• The belief that physical presence aids learning
• Administrative standardization

What Happens Below 75%?

If your attendance falls below 75%:

First level: Warning from department Second level: Communication to parents/guardians Third level: Potential exam detainment (you may not be allowed to sit for exams)

The exact consequences vary by college and situation, but the risk is real.

The Buffer Zone

Smart students aim for 80-85%, not exactly 75%. Why?

• Calculation errors happen
• Medical emergencies occur
• Data entry mistakes exist
• You want buffer room

Aiming for the minimum with zero room for error is a risky strategy.

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Part 4: How Students Game the System (Theoretically)

Disclaimer: I'm not recommending any of these. But understanding the game helps understand the system.

Strategy 1: Proxy Attendance

How it (supposedly) works:

• Friend marks attendance for absent student
• For manual: Answering when name is called
• For sheets: Signing someone else's name
• For digital: Using someone's ID card

Why it's risky:

• Teachers often know their students
• Repeated proxy patterns are detectable
• Getting caught has serious consequences
• Some systems have additional verification

Strategy 2: The Late Entry/Early Exit

How it (supposedly) works:

• Come just for attendance
• Leave after marked
• Miss the actual lecture content

Why it's problematic:

• You miss actual learning
• Some teachers mark at random times
• Creates a false sense of "maintaining attendance"

Strategy 3: Strategic Subject Selection

How it (supposedly) works:

• Track which subjects you're low on
• Attend those selectively
• Skip subjects where you have buffer

The problem:

• Creates an attendance optimization game
• Misses the point of education
• Often backfires due to miscalculation

Strategy 4: Medical Certificate Usage

How it (supposedly) works:

• Get medical certificates for absences
• Medical absence doesn't count against you (in some policies)
• Use this to cover extended absences

The reality:

• Legitimate medical needs are valid
• Fake certificates are fraud
• Medical leave limits often exist
• System has checks for abuse

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Part 5: The Technology Deeper Dive

Biometric Fingerprint Systems

How they work:

• Your fingerprint is encoded as a mathematical template
• Not an image, but a pattern of ridge endings and bifurcations
• When you scan, your print is compared to stored template
• Match = attendance marked

Technical details:

• False Acceptance Rate (FAR): How often wrong person is accepted
• False Rejection Rate (FRR): How often right person is rejected
• Most systems balance these for practical use

Common issues:

• Wet or dry fingers read poorly
• Injuries affect readings
• Database sync delays
• Hardware malfunctions

ID Card/RFID Systems

How they work:

• Your ID card contains an RFID chip
• Chip stores your unique student ID
• Reader detects chip within range
• ID is matched to database

Technical details:

• Passive RFID: No battery in card, powered by reader
• Read range: Usually 1-10 cm
• Each tap creates timestamped log

Common issues:

• Card damage
• Demagnetization (rare with RFID)
• Reader hardware problems
• Someone else using your card

App-Based Systems

How they work:

• App installed on student phones
• Teacher generates session code
• Students enter code within time/location window
• Location verified (sometimes)

Technical details:

• GPS location checking
• Session timeout limits
• One device per student (usually)
• IP address logging

Common issues:

• Network connectivity
• GPS accuracy indoors
• Device compatibility
• Battery issues

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Part 6: The Human Element

Despite all technology, attendance systems have human factors:

Teacher Discretion

Many teachers have flexibility in:

• When to mark attendance
• Whether to accept late entries
• How to handle borderline cases
• Whether to give second chances

Administrative Flexibility

In genuine hardship cases:

• Medical committees review extended absences
• Dean can make exceptions
• Documentation matters
• Individual circumstances considered

The "Humanity" Factor

Good teachers notice patterns:

• Students who are always present but struggling
• Students who are absent but performing well
• Genuine emergencies vs. patterns
• Individual situations

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Part 7: Common Myths Debunked

Myth 1: "The System Always Knows"

Reality: Systems have errors. Data entry mistakes happen. Technical glitches occur. Always verify your attendance records yourself.

Myth 2: "One Day Won't Matter"

Reality: Attendance math can be cruel. If you have 60 total lectures and need 75%, you can only miss 15. Each absence counts more than you think.

Myth 3: "I Can Fix It Later"

Reality: Once marked absent, changing it is difficult. Prevention is easier than correction.

Myth 4: "Proxies Are Undetectable"

Reality: Over time, patterns emerge. Inconsistencies appear. Risk is higher than perceived benefit.

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Part 8: How to Actually Manage Attendance

Instead of gaming the system, here's the real strategy:

1. Track It Yourself

Don't rely solely on the system. Keep your own record:

• Note every class you attend
• Calculate your percentage weekly
• Know exactly where you stand

2. Build Buffer Early

Semester start = attend everything possible. Build a cushion.

Later in semester, you'll have room for genuine emergencies.

3. Communicate Proactively

If you need to miss class:

• Inform in advance when possible
• Provide documentation for legitimate reasons
• Don't wait for consequences

4. Understand Your Specific Rules

Each college/department might have variations:

• Different minimum percentages
• Different makeup policies
• Different medical leave provisions

Know your specific situation.

5. Make Attendance Worth It

If you're going to be there anyway, actually engage:

• Sit where you can focus
• Take notes
• Participate
• Learn something

The best attendance strategy is making class worth attending.

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Part 9: The Bigger Picture

Here's what nobody says about attendance:

The Point Isn't the Percentage

The attendance requirement exists because:

• Being present gives exposure to material
• Questions happen in class
• Peer learning matters
• Discipline translates to professional life

Gaming the system gets you the number, not the benefit.

Corporate Reality

In jobs, "attendance" translates to:

• Showing up for meetings
• Being present for team needs
• Reliability and predictability
• Following through on commitments

The attendance habit you build now carries forward.

The Flexibility Future

Remote work has changed things, but the principle remains:

• Being present (physically or virtually) when expected
• Communicating absences professionally
• Understanding that presence has value

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Conclusion: Work With the System

Somaiya's attendance system is:

• Technologically varied
• Administratively enforced
• Imperfect but functional
• Based on reasonable intentions

Your options are:

1. Fight the system (stressful, risky, exhausting)
2. Work with the system (predictable, manageable, peaceful)

Most successful students choose option 2.

Understand the rules. Track your status. Build buffer. Handle exceptions professionally.

And maybe, just maybe, find value in actually being present.

The attendance system is just measuring whether you showed up.

What you do when you're there — that's up to you.

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This article is part of 7K's Somaiya technology series. For more insights on campus systems and student life, explore the other articles about Somaiya.