Amidst ongoing controversies over alleged irregularities in NEET and NET exams, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has decided to adopt advanced technology to safeguard the integrity of its examinations.Changes in Examination The premier recruitment body will employ facial recognition and an AI-based CCTV surveillance system to prevent cheating and impersonation in its various tests. Recently, the UPSC issued a tender seeking bids from experienced public sector undertakings to develop two technological solutions: Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication (or digital fingerprint capturing) and facial recognition of candidates and QR code scanning of e-admit cards and Live AI-based CCTV surveillance service. The tender document, dated June 3, 2024, emphasizes, that the prestigious exam focuses a great deal on the way exams are being held and the necessity of it being fair and impartial. Joining hands with TechnologyThe document elaborates that the Commission intends to leverage the latest digital technology to verify and cross-check candidates biometric details and to monitor their activities during the examination to prevent cheating, fraud, unfair means, and impersonation. To enhance the examination process, the UPSC plans to implement Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication, facial recognition of candidates, QR code scanning of e-admit cards, and live AI-based CCTV video surveillance.The selected service provider will use data provided by the UPSC to authenticate candidates and perform facial recognition during the exam. According to the tender, facial recognition will involve a stateless transaction of two images: one provided during online registration and the other captured on the day of the exam.Add-ons to the systemAdditionally, a real-time attendance monitoring system with GPS coordinates and timestamps will ensure enrolment is completed during the designated shift. The UPSC will deploy CCTV/video surveillance with recording and live broadcast systems to monitor candidates and exam personnel at various centers nationwide.The system will generate alerts for any detected movement at entry/exit gates, improper arrangement of furniture, offline cameras, or inactivity of invigilators, ensuring zero blind spots and real-time monitoring.This initiative comes as the Central government faces scrutiny over alleged irregularities in the UGC-NET and NEET-UG exams. The UPSCs move aims to strengthen the integrity of its examination process, prevent malpractices, and ensure a secure environment for candidates.
