The Union Public Service Commission( UPSC) has taken a bold step to modernise its examination process by piloting an AI- enabled facial authentication system aimed at securing seekerverification. The move, blazoned by UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar, reflects growing sweats to reduce impersonation and fraud, speed up verification, and make the entry process into examination halls smoother and further transparent. 

In mid-September 2025, UPSC ran a airman test of this facial recognition technology during two of its major reclamation examinations the NDA & NA II( National Defence Academy and Naval Academy) and the CDS II( Combined Defence Services) examinations. The trials were conducted on September 14 at select test centres in Gurugram. 

The system works by matching a live facial image of the seeker( taken at the examination centre) with the snap uploaded by that seeker during registration. However, the seeker is allowed entry, If the match is successful. However, fresh checks may be needed, If not. 

Results from the airman suggest significant advancements in speed verification time per seekerdropped to about 8- 10 seconds on average. In total, around 2,700 successful reviews were carried out for 1,129 campaigners across multiple sessions during the trials. 

The technology was developed in collaboration with the Nationale-Governance Division( NeGD). UPSC has emphasised that the airman is part of its larger plan to integrate more advanced tools in its examination process to uphold norms of fairness, translucency, and security. 

Still, it isn’t just about planting the technology. Chairman Ajay Kumar refocused out that logistics and root ahead of any wider rollout remain pivotal. crucial considerations include icing dependable internet( Wi- Fi) at test centres, training of staff involved in facial recognition processes, and creationof standard operating procedures( bribes) to coverdata sequestration and manage exceptions. 

The UPSC plans, subject to airman results and logistical readiness, to extend this facial authentication system to all its examinations this includes civil services examinations along with other reclamation tests. 

Spectators say the move could be transformative. Examination campaigners frequently spend considerable time in entry verification lines, and cases of impersonation or misidentification — whether purposeful or accidental have long posed challenges to fairness. An AI- grounded verification tool, if enforced duly, could reduce mortal error, speed up entry, and discourage implicit infidelity. 

At the same time, there are enterprises to be-addressed. Data sequestration is one storing, transmitting and matching photos and biometric or facial data must misbehave with legal protections. icing that false rejections are minimised( for illustration, due to lighting, camera quality, look- changes) will be important. Also, for remote or pastoral centres, icing that specialized structure is dependable is critical, lest the system cause detainments or deny genuine campaigners entry because of connectivity or tackle issues. 

In conclusion, UPSC’s AI grounded facial authentication airman marks a significant corner in how high- stakes examinations may be managed in India. However, this invention has the implicit to make reclamation examinations more effective, moresecure, If the technology is rolled out after fine- tuning. But the success of such an action will depend heavily on careful perpetration, balancing integrity with fairness, and securing seeker rights and data sequestration.