Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has successfully conducted a pilot programme to test AI-enabled facial authentication technology for swift and secure candidate verification during various examinations. The pilot programme was conducted during the NDA and NA II EXAMINATION and CDS II EXAMINATION, held on the 14th of this month. The pilot was carried out at select centres in Gurugram, where candidates’ facial images were digitally matched with the photographs submitted in their registration forms.

The new system reduced verification time to an average of just 8 to 10 seconds per candidate. Highlighting the cutting-edge technology adopted by UPSC in a social media post, UPSC Chairman Dr Ajay Kumar said that the process was smooth and seamless, which is a step towards smarter, secure, and efficient exams. This initiative was undertaken in collaboration with the National e-Governance Division. It seeks to strengthen the integrity of the examination process and enhance the ease of entry for candidates at examination centres.