Amid the NEET-UG and Puja Khedkar disputes, UPSC is updating its test methodology

In order to stop "cheating, fraud, unfair means, and impersonation" during its examinations, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) now plans to implement Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication, candidate facial recognition software, and real-time artificial intelligence-based CCTV surveillance.

This follows the case of Puja Khedkar, a trainee IAS officer, who is being investigated by the UPSC for allegedly "faking her identity" in order to violate the requirements for attendance for the Civil Service Examinations. UPSC's proposal also follows closely on the heels of a controversy surrounding the way the National Testing Agency (NTA) administers exams, particularly the NEET-UG exam.

PSUs are now being asked to submit proposals to UPSC in order to supply technological services for its examinations. The Commission has put out a tender for services that includes live AI-based CCTV surveillance, face recognition for candidates, Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication (or digital fingerprint capture), and QR code scanning of e-admit cards.

Additionally, the tender documents state that two to three weeks before to the exam, the UPSC will supply the provider of these technology services with the exam schedule, a comprehensive list of exam venues, and the number of candidates for each venue "for making on-site preparation." Additionally, seven days before to the exam, UPSC will send candidate information (name, roll number, photo, etc.) for use in fingerprint and facial recognition.

At each exam location, the service provider will need to set up portable devices with integrated QR code scanners and enough staff. The candidate's information will be automatically retrieved from the UPSC database by scanning the QR code on the admit card.

The paper further stated, "The service provider shall verify the identity of the candidates from the candidate data captured during the initial stages of the examination at the time of mains examination/interview/verification process as scheduled by UPSC."

Every exam room and hall must have CCTVs installed "to monitor various activities of the candidates and other persons deployed to conduct the Commission's examinations."

According to the tender documents, the UPSC administers 14 exams annually, including the Civil Services Examination (CSE), in addition to recruiting exams and interviews for induction to Group 'A' and Group 'B' posts of the Government of India.