UPSC begins using AI for candidate verification in exams

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is now trying out a new system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify exam-takers by their faces. This will help make the verification process faster, safer, and more trustworthy.

What Happened

• UPSC carried out a pilot project with AI-based facial authentication during the NDA & NA II and CDS II exams on 14 September 2025.
  
• This trial was done at some exam centres in Gurugram, in collaboration with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD).
  
• The system matches a candidate’s live facial image at the exam centre with the photo they submitted during registration.

What the Pilot Showed

• The verification took only 8-10 seconds per candidate, which is much faster than manual checks.
  
• In total, around 2,700 successful scans were done for about 1,129 candidates across different sessions.
  
• The technology helped reduce delays and added an extra layer of security.

Why This Matters

• There have been concerns about impersonation and exam fraud. AI facial recognition can help stop people from using fake identities or letting others sit exams for them.
  
• Faster entry at exam halls means less crowding and less waiting for students.
  
• It also increases fairness and transparency in exam processes, which is very important for high-stakes tests like UPSC’s.

What’s Next

• UPSC plans to use facial recognition in all its future examinations, including the Civil Services exams.
  
• To make this work well everywhere, they must ensure good internet/WiFi connections, train staff, and set up proper standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  
• Data privacy and accuracy will also be important to address, so the process remains fair and secure.