 "CCTVs, QR code & more: How UPSC is trying to revamp its exam system")
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has decided to revamp its examination system amid allegations of irregularities in the 2024 NEET-UG paper. The measures, which will be introduced to prevent “cheating, fraud, unfair means and impersonation” during the exams, come in the wake of the row involving trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar.
The UPSC is all set to use technology to ensure exams are conducted in a “free, fair and impartial manner”. The commission has invited tenders for digital biometric technologies to overhaul the way it conducts exams.
Let’s take a closer look.
CCTV and more
The UPSC will deploy technology, including Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication, facial recognition of candidates and closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance powered by artificial intelligence (AI), to ensure its exams are conducted fairly.
The commission floated a tender on June 20 seeking bids from public sector undertakings (PSUs) to provide technology services for its exams.
“The Commission intends to make use of the latest digital technology to match and cross-check the biometric details of the candidates and to monitor various activities of the candidates during the examination to prevent cheating, fraud, unfair means and impersonation,” The Hindu cited the tender document as saying.
The services sought include Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication (or Digital Fingerprint Capturing), facial recognition of candidates, QR code scanning of e-Admit Cards, and live AI-based CCTV surveillance service during exams, reported Indian Express.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“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, as per India Today.
How will it work?
The UPSC will give the data and images of the candidates submitted by them during the online registration process to the service provider for fingerprint authentication and facial recognition on the day of the exam, as per The Hindu report.
This will help to verify the applicants and eliminate impersonation attempts. Fingerprint scanners and facial recognition devices will be deployed at the examination centres.
According to the tender documents, the service provider of the technology will receive the exam schedule, list of exam venues, and the number of candidates per venue two to three weeks before the paper “for making on-site preparation”.
The commission will also provide candidate details, including name, roll number and photo, seven days before the exam for fingerprint authentication and facial recognition, reported Indian Express.
The service provider will deploy QR code scanner-integrated devices at every exam centre. The QR code on the candidate’s admit card will be scanned to get the details from the database provided by the UPSC.
“At the time of mains examination/interview/verification process as scheduled by UPSC, the service provider must verify the identity of the candidates from the candidate data captured during the initial stages of the examination,” the document was quoted as saying by Indian Express.
CCTVs will be installed in every exam room “to monitor various activities of the candidates and other persons deployed to conduct the Commission’s examinations.”
What is the need for these reforms?
The UPSC organises 14 examinations in a year, including the Civil Services Examination (CSE). It also conducts several recruitment tests and interviews for induction to Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ posts in the Indian government.
More than 10.1 lakh people applied for CSE 2023, while about 5.9 lakh candidates turned up for the exam. The UPSC suggests candidates for appointment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and others.
The overhaul comes amid myriad controversies surrounding India’s exam system. The Supreme Court recently pulled up the National Testing Agency (NTA) over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.
The UPSC’s move is also close on the heels of the row over trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar allegedly forging documents to appear for the civil service exam 12 times, much more than the allowed limit. She has been accused of “faking her identity” to violate appearance norms for the CSE.
UPSC registers case against Puja Dilip Kedkar, IAS, for alleged forgery and issues show cause notice for cancellation of her candidature. pic.twitter.com/QPEubTPeVB
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 19, 2024
The UPSC has filed a criminal case against her. The commission has also issued a show-cause notice for the cancellation of her selection.
It is amid these controversies that the UPSC is ramping up efforts to secure its examinations and prevent cheating.
With inputs from agencies
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