UPSC To Revamp Exam System With New Tech After Pooja Khedkar ‘Fraud’ Case: Facial Recognition And QR Codes…

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has called for tenders to acquire the latest digital biometric technologies to strengthen measures against impersonation, cheating, and fraud in its examinations.

This decision follows an incident involving trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who is alleged to have used a false identity to sit for the civil services exam. Last week, UPSC issued a show cause notice proposing to cancel her appointment.

According to UPSC, 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.”

How are UPSC exams likely to change?

UPSC, a constitutional body, conducts 14 major examinations and numerous recruitment tests and interviews for Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ posts in the central government each year.

To maintain the integrity of its exams, UPSC plans to implement advanced digital technologies to verify and cross-check candidates’ biometric details and monitor exam activities to prevent cheating, fraud, and impersonation.

The planned security enhancements include:

• Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication or digital fingerprint capture
• Facial recognition for candidates
• QR code scanning for e-Admit Cards
• Live AI-based CCTV surveillance during exams

In the tender issued to Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) on July 18, UPSC has not detailed whether these measures will be in place for upcoming exams. The commission noted that it may use any or all of these services, either partially or fully, at its discretion during its examinations.