UPSC to revamp examination system among cheating allegations

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) of India is set to examine its examination system after the allegations of cheating in the NEET-UG exam for medical college admissions and the controversial appointment of Puja Khedkar as a civil servant. As the body responsible for conducting 14 major examinations in a year, including the Civil Services Examination (CSE), the UPSC to revamp its processes aims to introduce advanced technological solutions to maintain the integrity of its examinations.

To enhance the security and fairness of its exams, the UPSC will implement Aadhar-based fingerprint authentication and facial recognition systems. The Commission has invited bids from Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to supply the necessary technology. “The Commission intends to make use of the latest digital technology to match and cross-check the biometric details of the candidates and to monitor various activities of the candidates during the examination to prevent cheating, fraud, unfair means and impersonation,” stated the UPSC in its tender document.

Under this new system, details of exam venues and the number of candidates will be provided to the technology service providers two to three weeks before the examination for on-site preparation. Additionally, candidate details, including name, roll number, and photo, will be made available seven days in advance for fingerprint authentication and facial recognition.

In 2023, over a million people applied for the CSE, with nearly 600,000 candidates appearing for the examination. UPSC is known as one of the world’s toughest exams, clearing the CSE clears the way for entry into prestigious services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS).

The UPSC’s decision to revamp its examination system comes during the scandal involving trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar. Reports revealed that Khedkar allegedly forged documents to sit for the Civil Services Exam twelve times. She also manipulated her category and disability status to secure an easier entry into the top tiers of Indian bureaucracy. These events have intensified scrutiny on the UPSC’s examination processes and integrity.

Adding to it, UPSC Chairman Manoj Soni recently resigned, giving for personal reasons, five years before the end of his tenure. Sources indicated that Soni was initially reluctant to take on the role of chairman and had previously requested to be relieved, a request that was not accepted at the time. Media reports suggest that Soni’s resignation was influenced by a desire to focus on “socio-religious activities” and was not related to the controversies surrounding Puja Khedkar.

The introduction of biometric and facial recognition technology is a step towards increasing the transparency and security of the UPSC’s examination process. By using advanced digital tools, the Commission aims to prevent instances of cheating, fraud, and impersonation, and ensure a fairer and more reliable selection process for candidates.

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