UPSC to revamp its exam system with new technology to curb cheating, fraud

UPSC to revamp its exam system with new technology to curb cheating, fraud

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, July 25, 2024: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has decided to leverage advanced digital technologies to revamp its exam system amid recent cases of cheating and fraud in government examinations. The commission plans to incorporate state-of-the-art Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication and facial recognition for candidates.

Technological solutions like closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance using artificial intelligence (AI), QR code scanning of e-admit cards are also being planned to prevent fraud and impersonation during examinations.

The UPSC conducts 14 examinations every year, including the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and a number of recruitment tests and interviews for top government posts.

The UPSC has floated a tender inviting bids from public sector undertakings (PSUs) to provide technology services during the examinations conducted by it.

"The bidder should be a profit-making entity having an average annual turnover of at least Rs 100 crore from examination-based projects during the last three financial years," the tender said.

The tender documents mentioned that the exam schedule, list of exam venues, and the number of candidates would be provided to the provider of these services two to three weeks before the examination.

Recently, the Supreme Court pulled up the National Testing Agency (NTA) after several lapses were flagged in the conduct of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2024.

The development also coincided with the controversy over trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who allegedly forged documents to appear for the civil service exam on 12 occasions, more than the number of permitted attempts. The UPSC has lodged a criminal case against Khedkar and a case has been registered by Delhi Police.

The UPSC has also issued her a show cause notice for the cancellation of her selection and debarment from future examinations.