The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is taking significant steps to modernise its examination system by incorporating advanced digital biometric technologies. This move comes in response to recent controversies, including an incident involving trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who allegedly impersonated another candidate to gain multiple attempts in the Civil Services Examination (CSE).
The UPSC conducts around 14 exams annually, including the highly prestigious Civil Services Examination and various recruitment tests for Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ posts in the Indian government.
To address issues of impersonation, cheating, and fraud, the Commission is now focusing on integrating Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication, facial recognition systems, and CCTV surveillance powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
The decision to revamp the examination system follows allegations that Puja Khedkar engaged in fraudulent practices by falsifying personal information. According to the UPSC, she manipulated details such as her name, her parents’ names, photograph, signature, email ID, mobile number, and address to gain additional attempts at the examination, beyond the allowable limits. In light of these accusations, the UPSC has issued a show cause notice to potentially cancel her appointment.
In response to such incidents, the UPSC plans to implement state-of-the-art verification methods. The new system will utilise Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication and facial recognition technology to ensure that the individual taking the exam is the registered candidate. Additionally, AI-driven CCTV surveillance will monitor the examination process to further deter and detect any attempts at fraud.
For the CSE 2023 alone, more than 1 million candidates applied, with approximately 590,000 appearing for the test. The CSE is crucial for selecting candidates for top positions in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. Ensuring the integrity of this examination is of paramount importance, given its role in shaping the country’s administrative framework.
The UPSC will share data and images submitted by candidates during the online registration process with service providers responsible for implementing the new biometric systems.
This collaboration aims to streamline the verification process on exam day and prevent impersonation effectively. Fingerprint scanners and facial recognition devices will be installed at examination centres to facilitate this process.
By integrating these advanced technologies, the UPSC seeks to uphold the credibility and fairness of its examinations, safeguarding the system against malpractices and ensuring that only eligible candidates are selected.
This technological overhaul represents a significant shift towards a more secure and transparent examination process, reflecting the Commission’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in its recruitment procedures.
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