UPSC Introduces Facial Recognition for Exam Candidates: A New Era of Security

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has implemented facial recognition technology for candidates in its recruitment examinations. This new measure aims to enhance the integrity of the examination process and streamline candidate verification. Following a successful pilot program, the UPSC is set to ensure quicker and more secure entry for candidates, reducing verification times significantly. This initiative marks a significant step towards modernizing the examination process and ensuring fairness in candidate assessments.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 10, 2026, 19:34 IST

Enhanced Security Measures for UPSC Exams

New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced that all candidates participating in its recruitment exams will now be subjected to facial recognition checks at examination centers, as confirmed by officials on Saturday.

This initiative aims to bolster the integrity of the examination process.

According to a statement on the Commission's website, "All candidates appearing in the UPSC examination will undergo face authentication at the venue."

The UPSC is responsible for conducting various recruitment tests for government positions, including the civil services examination, which selects candidates for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.

Recently, the UPSC successfully piloted an AI-driven facial recognition technology during the NDA (National Defence Academy) and NA (Naval Academy) II Examination, 2025, as well as the CDS (Combined Defence Services) II Examination, 2025, which took place on September 14, 2025.

This pilot program was implemented at select centers in Gurugram, where candidates' facial images were matched digitally with the photos they submitted during registration.

The new verification system has significantly reduced the time taken for candidate authentication to an average of just 8 to 10 seconds, thereby streamlining the entry process while enhancing security, as noted by UPSC chairman Ajay Kumar.