From facial recognition to QR code: UPSC to revamp exam system to curb cheating, fraud

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has decided to use advanced digital technologies to revamp its examination framework in response to recent instances of fraud and cheating in official government exams. Modern Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication and facial recognition for candidates are features that the commission intends to implement.

To prevent fraud and impersonation during exams, technological solutions including artificial intelligence (AI)-powered closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance and QR code scanning of e-admit cards are also being planned.

The UPSC conducts fourteen exams annually, which include the Civil Services Examination (CSE) as well as several recruitment exams and interviews for high-level government positions.

Public sector undertakings (PSUs) are invited to submit proposals to the UPSC to supply technology services for its examinations.

"The bidder should be a profit-making entity having an average annual turnover of at least Rs 100 crore from examination-based projects during the last three financial years," the tender said.

According to the tender documents, the provider of these services would receive the exam schedule, venue list, and candidate count two to three weeks before to the exam.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) was recently suspended by the Supreme Court following the discovery of multiple irregularities in the administration of the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) 2024.

The controversy over trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who reportedly falsified paperwork to stand for the civil service test on twelve occasions—more than the number of allowed attempts—also occurred at the same time as this occurrence. Delhi Police has also opened a complaint against Khedkar, which was brought by the UPSC.

She has also received a show-cause notice from the UPSC, which might result in the annulment of her selection and a ban from taking any more exams.