From surveillance using AI to facial recognition: UPSC to revamp exam system after Puja Khedkar episode

UPSC

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has invited tenders for the latest digital biometric technologies to enhance measures against impersonation, cheating, and fraud during its examinations.

The Commission is all set to revamp its own examination system through technological solutions such as Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication and facial recognition systems, and closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance using artificial intelligence (AI).

The decision comes after the premier recruitment body found that trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar allegedly faked her identity to appear in civil services exam. Last week, it issued a show cause notice to cancel her appointment.

The controversial IAS officer "fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limit under the Examination Rules by faking her identity by way of changing her name, her father’s & mother’s name, her photograph/ signature, her email ID, mobile number and address,” UPSC said in a statement.

The Commission conducts 14 examinations every year, including the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and a number of recruitment tests and interviews for induction to Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ posts of the Government of India.

Over 10.1 lakh people applied for CSE 2023, and around 5.9 lakh candidates appeared for the examination. The UPSC conducts the CSE to recommend candidates for appointment to the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS), and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.

The UPSC will provide the data and images submitted by applicants during the online registration process to the service provider for the Aadhar-based fingerprint authentication and facial recognition systems to verify candidates on the day of the exam. To rule out attempts at impersonation, fingerprint scanners and facial recognition devices will be used at the examination centres, it said.