UPSC Introduces Biometric Authentication and AI Surveillance from June 2025: A Step Toward Exam Integrity
In a decisive move aimed at enhancing transparency and curbing exam malpractices, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is set to roll out Aadhaar-based biometric authentication and AI-powered surveillance for its examinations beginning June 2025. While this significant shift will not impact the Civil Services Preliminary Examination scheduled for May 26—expected to witness the participation of 9.5 lakh candidates—it will apply to all other UPSC exams thereafter.
This landmark initiative, which has been in the pipeline since June 2024, follows the high-profile case of IAS probationer Puja Khedkar. Khedkar’s dismissal due to allegations of document forgery and exceeding the allowed number of attempts prompted a system-wide review. The result: a renewed commitment to exam integrity through advanced technology.
The Scope of the New Measures
The biometric system will incorporate several layers of identity verification:
- Fingerprint and facial recognition, based on Aadhaar credentials
- QR code scanning of e-admit cards
- Live AI-powered CCTV surveillance during examinations
These tools aim to eliminate impersonation and cheating, which have historically been difficult to detect and prevent on a large scale. UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar confirmed that these technological measures will be operational across all exams conducted by the commission starting June 2025.
This includes not only the prestigious Civil Services Examination (CSE) but also 14 other recruitment tests and interviews for Group A and Group B posts under the Union Government.
Project Origins and Official Approvals
The groundwork for this transition began in June 2024 when the UPSC issued a tender inviting bids from public sector undertakings to implement the biometric and AI-based surveillance system. The tender explicitly called for services related to:
- Aadhaar-based fingerprint and facial authentication
- Digital fingerprint capturing
- QR code-enabled scanning of admit cards
- AI-monitored live CCTV footage during exam sessions
Later, on August 28, 2024, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) officially granted the UPSC permission to perform Aadhaar authentication on a voluntary basis. This approval included both simple Yes/No validation and e-KYC options, applicable at the registration stage via the ‘One Time Registration’ portal as well as at various stages of the recruitment process.
Why Now? The Catalyst: Puja Khedkar Case
The urgency to implement these reforms gained momentum following the controversy involving former IAS probationer Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar. In July 2024, the UPSC cancelled her candidature for the CSE 2022 after discovering she had appeared under multiple names—hers and her parents’—and had exceeded the maximum number of permitted attempts. Subsequently, the DoPT dismissed her from service.
Khedkar has denied these charges and has contested the decision in court. Nevertheless, the case exposed vulnerabilities in the system’s existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), especially in identifying repeated candidates using different identities.
To determine the scope of the issue, the UPSC launched a comprehensive review of data covering over 15,000 recommended candidates from 2009 to 2023. The analysis confirmed that Khedkar’s case was an isolated one, but it underscored the pressing need to fortify the system against similar future incidents.
In a public statement dated July 31, 2024, the UPSC admitted that the failure to detect Khedkar’s multiple attempts stemmed from her strategic name alterations. As a corrective step, the Commission pledged to strengthen its SOPs and integrate advanced identity verification technologies.
Implications for Future Candidates
The upcoming reforms signal a shift in how competitive examinations in India are conducted. While the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025 remains exempt, candidates for other exams from June onward must be prepared to undergo biometric checks and AI surveillance. The integration of such technology aims not only to prevent cheating but also to streamline the overall verification process.
Additionally, Aadhaar-based authentication will be voluntary but is highly recommended to ensure smooth registration and participation. Candidates will need to ensure their Aadhaar details are up to date and should familiarize themselves with the registration process on the One Time Registration portal.
Conclusion
The UPSC’s decision to implement biometric authentication and AI surveillance represents a proactive effort to safeguard the integrity of one of India’s most prestigious examination systems. With over 14 major examinations under its purview, the Commission's adoption of cutting-edge technology sets a precedent for other public sector bodies.
By leveraging Aadhaar-based verification and AI tools, the UPSC not only addresses existing loopholes but also builds a more transparent, accountable, and efficient examination environment for the future. This change marks a pivotal step forward in India's administrative recruitment process, prioritizing merit, fairness, and trust in public institutions.
