UPSC Uses Face Authentication to Prevent Exam Impersonation

The system was developed by UPSC with technical support from the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has successfully introduced real-time face authentication during the Civil Services and Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination 2026, marking a major step toward strengthening the security and integrity of one of India's most competitive examinations. The technology was used across all 2,072 examination venues nationwide to verify that the person appearing for the examination was the same candidate who submitted the original application and photograph.

The system was developed by UPSC with technical support from the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Officials said the initiative was designed to eliminate impersonation and reduce the risk of malpractice during the examination process.

Mobile-based verification enables fast and secure identification

Under the new process, every candidate was required to undergo face authentication before being allowed entry into the examination hall. Invigilators used a mobile-phone-based application to carry out live verification at the venue. One of the key advantages of the system was that it did not require specialised equipment. The application worked on standard Android smartphones, allowing invigilators to use their own devices and reducing the need for costly hardware and complex logistics.

UPSC also developed a detailed standard operating procedure and shared it with state governments, district authorities and examination centres across the country. Multiple training sessions were conducted to ensure invigilators could use the technology effectively. Officials said the authentication process was completed within six to eight seconds per candidate, helping maintain smooth entry procedures and preventing long queues outside examination centres.

Nearly 5.5 lakh candidates verified during examination

The scale of the operation was one of its most notable achievements. More than 7,000 invigilators used the application simultaneously during the examination, while the system handled approximately 12,000 authentications every minute during peak entry periods.

UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar described the initiative as an important step towards ensuring impersonation-free examinations. He said the technology was developed in-house with support from NeGD and praised the efforts involved in implementing the solution across thousands of centres within a limited timeframe. According to Kumar, the project successfully managed the authentication of nearly 5.5 lakh candidates across more than 2,000 examination venues nationwide.

The successful rollout of the system reflects UPSC's growing focus on using technology to enhance transparency, fairness and accountability in public examinations. Officials believe the initiative could serve as a model for future large-scale examinations conducted across the country.