New Delhi: In a major step to strengthen the integrity and security of examinations, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced that all candidates appearing in its exams will undergo face authentication at exam venues. The update was officially posted on UPSC’s website on Friday, January 9, 2026.
The initiative follows a successful pilot programme conducted in September 2025 using AI-enabled facial recognition technology, aimed at swift and secure candidate verification.
Pilot Programme Demonstrates Efficiency
The pilot programme, carried out at select centres in Gurugram, Haryana, involved digitally matching candidates’ facial images with the photographs submitted during registration.
Key findings from the pilot include:
- Verification time reduced to 8–10 seconds per candidate.
- Streamlined entry process at examination centres.
- Added an extra layer of security against impersonation or fraud.
The pilot was implemented in collaboration with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD).
Background: Steps to Prevent Fraud
Over the past two years, UPSC has been actively introducing measures to ensure the credibility of its examinations, particularly after incidents that raised questions over exam integrity.
Puja Khedkar case: Ms. Khedkar allegedly forged identity documents and a Person with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) certificate to secure entry into the IAS beyond the permitted number of attempts. UPSC has registered a criminal case against her for misrepresentation during CSE-2022.
NEET 2024 lapses: Several procedural issues in the conduct of NEET 2024 prompted scrutiny of testing mechanisms. The National Testing Agency (NTA) was taken to the Supreme Court over these lapses.
Biometric and AI Measures to Enhance Security
In a tender published on July 10, 2025, UPSC sought bids from public sector undertakings (PSUs) to implement a robust biometric verification system, including:
- Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication or digital fingerprint scanning.
- Facial recognition of candidates.
- QR code scanning of e-admit cards.
These measures aim to prevent impersonation, cheating, and use of unfair means.
Scope of Implementation
The new face authentication system will apply across all UPSC examinations, which include:
- 14 major examinations conducted annually.
- Multiple recruitment tests and interviews.
- Exams held at around 3,000 venues across 180 centres, accommodating up to 12 lakh candidates.
For civil services exams, rules were also amended in 2024 to mandate online submission of educational, caste, and disability certificates at the preliminary stage, rather than waiting until the Mains stage, further strengthening candidate verification.
UPSC’s Vision: Integrity and Efficiency
The UPSC stated that the move to AI-enabled face authentication is intended to:
- Enhance the ease of entry for candidates at exam centres.
- Reinforce the credibility and integrity of the examination process.
- Introduce modern, technology-driven measures that reduce human error and procedural delays.
With these steps, UPSC aims to modernize its examination system and safeguard its reputation as India’s premier recruitment body.
