As of June 4, approximately 2.65 lakh candidates had registered on the new platform. Among them, 1.13 lakh completed the universal registration process, with around 1.05 lakh opting for Aadhaar-based identity verification. This adoption rate, exceeding 92 percent, demonstrates the willingness of candidates to embrace secure and streamlined processes that emphasize transparency and authenticity.
The overhaul comes in response to recent controversies that have raised serious concerns over examination malpractice and identity fraud. The revised system introduces a series of sophisticated measures including fingerprint and facial recognition through Aadhaar, QR code scanning for electronic admit cards, and the deployment of AI-powered CCTV cameras at examination centers. These features are designed to prevent impersonation, detect suspicious behavior, and ensure a smooth and fair examination experience for all participants.
Candidates registering through the updated portal now follow a simplified four-step process: account creation, universal registration, submission of a standard application form, and exam-specific applications. This structure reduces redundancy by allowing candidates to reuse their information across multiple examinations, thereby saving time and minimizing the potential for errors. According to official statements, the repetitive nature of earlier data entry requirements has been completely removed.
The commission had initially introduced Aadhaar authentication as a voluntary step in August 2024, using Yes/No confirmation or electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) options. While still not mandatory, the high rate of adoption in recent registrations suggests that Aadhaar verification is fast becoming a de facto standard in the process. It plays a vital role not just in registration but also on the day of the examination, where candidates’ identities are verified through biometric scans before they are allowed entry into the venue.
To support this effort, a tender has been issued inviting public sector companies to implement and manage the advanced verification system. The selected agency will enter a three-year contract, with access to candidates’ names, photographs, and roll numbers provided one week prior to each exam. Biometric verification using fingerprint and facial recognition devices will be conducted at the entry points of exam centers, while agency personnel will not be permitted to enter the actual examination halls.
Surveillance within the exam venues will be handled by AI-enabled CCTV systems. Each room will be equipped with a minimum of one camera per 24 candidates. These cameras are programmed to detect irregular activities such as prolonged presence of invigilators near candidates, unusual movements during the test, improper seating arrangements, or unauthorized activities occurring either before or after the scheduled examination period.
The reforms have also streamlined the application intake for UPSC’s 14 major examinations, including the Civil Services Examination, the Combined Defence Services Examination, and the National Defence Academy Examination. About 60,000 candidates have already submitted their standardized application forms through the new portal, with around 55,000 more currently under review. This reflects rapid adoption and growing confidence in the new system’s ability to deliver both security and user convenience.
By investing in technology-driven solutions, UPSC is not only addressing existing security gaps but also setting a precedent for examination bodies across the country. These updates aim to restore public confidence in competitive exams and ensure that only genuinely eligible and qualified candidates advance through the recruitment process.
In a landscape where the credibility of examinations is increasingly under scrutiny, these measures stand as a decisive response to systemic challenges. The introduction of Aadhaar-based verification, facial recognition, and AI monitoring represents a significant leap forward in the modernization of examination management, reinforcing the principles of fairness, merit, and trust.
With continuous improvements and oversight, this model may serve as a blueprint for broader reforms in educational and recruitment assessments, ultimately contributing to a more robust and reliable public service selection system in India
