UPSC rolls out face authentication at exam centres to curb impersonation: Here's how it works

Key points

• In a major move to enhance the credibility of the civil services examination system and prevent cases of impersonation, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has successfully rolled out a face-authentication mechanism.
• The technology was deployed during the recently held Civil Services Examination and Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination 2026. The system verifies that the photograph submitted by a candidate while filling out the application form matches the individual appearing at the examination centre with the admit card.
• According to the UPSC, the platform facilitated live, real-time verification of candidates at examination centres through a mobile-phone-based authentication process carried out by invigilators.
• The mechanism ensured accurate identification of candidates and effectively eliminated opportunities for impersonation and other malpractices.
• The commission conducted the real-time face-authentication exercise across all 2,072 examination centres that hosted this year's Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, covering venues nationwide.