The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the launch of a pilot facial authentication program aimed at preventing impersonation and cheating in its examinations. The initiative follows a broader trend of AI-powered examination security measures being adopted across India’s education sector. The program uses a mobile application developed in collaboration with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) that verifies identity by comparing candidates’ photographs taken at exam centers with those submitted in their application forms.
The pilot program will be implemented at five examination centers during the upcoming National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination on September 14, 2025. The system incorporates QR code scanning of admit cards as an additional authentication measure, similar to the QR-based verification systems being implemented in other government initiatives.
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar detailed the verification process, explaining that the NeGD-developed mobile application will match photographs taken at examination centers with application form photos, while also scanning QR codes printed on admit cards. Examination center staff will receive training on the system’s operation. The Commission plans to expand the authentication system to all UPSC examinations if the pilot proves successful.
The initiative responds to an increase in reported cases of impersonation and cyber fraud involving mismatched photographs on admit cards. The situation reflects similar challenges faced by other examination bodies, leading to the Staff Selection Commission’s recent adoption of Aadhaar-based biometric authentication for its recruitment examinations. The Commission previously considered private vendors for photo verification services, which would have cost approximately Rs 30 crore. The NeGD-developed solution is being provided at no cost to the UPSC.
The program is part of India’s broader adoption of biometric authentication technology. Recent data shows Aadhaar face authentication transactions reached 18.6 crore in August 2025, marking significant growth from 6.04 crore in August 2024. The AI-based facial authentication technology, compatible with both Android and iOS platforms, is currently used by more than 150 entities, including government ministries and financial institutions. The expansion follows the government’s recent decision to extend Aadhaar face authentication capabilities to private sector applications.
Sources: ThePrint, PendulumEdu, Press Information Bureau
