UPSC Mandates Face Authentication for Candidates to Ensure Examination Integrity and Prevent Impersonation
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced that all candidates appearing for its examinations must undergo face authentication at venues. This initiative, following a successful pilot project in Gurugram and Gujarat, aims to strengthen the integrity of the examination process and prevent fraud, cheating, and impersonation. The AI-enabled technology reduces verification time to an average of 8-10 seconds per candidate. This move comes in the wake of the Puja Khedkar case, where a probationer allegedly used forged identity and disability certificates to obtain extra attempts beyond the prescribed limit, prompting stricter verification protocols.
Key Points
- The new system uses AI-enabled facial recognition to match candidates with photographs submitted during registration.
- The initiative was developed with the assistance of the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) to streamline entry processes.
- Verification time is significantly reduced to an average of 8 to 10 seconds per candidate, adding an extra layer of security.
- The move follows controversies regarding forged identity and disability certificates in the Civil Services Examination (CSE).
Exam Facts
- National e-Governance Division (NeGD) assisted in the project.
- UPSC conducts 14 major examinations and numerous recruitment tests annually across 3,000 venues.
- The pilot project for AI-enabled facial authentication was carried out in Gurugram and Gujarat.
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