Centre Permits UPSC To Carry out Aadhaar-Based mostly Authentication For Candidates’ Verifications

In a primary, the Centre on Wednesday allowed the Union Public Service Fee (UPSC) to carry out Aadhaar-based authentication to confirm candidates’ identification on a voluntary foundation, each on the time of registration and through numerous phases of examinations and recruitment. The transfer assumes significance because the fee final month cancelled the provisional candidature of probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar and debarred her from all future examinations for fraudulently availing makes an attempt within the civil providers examination past eligibility.

Khedkar has additionally been accused of misusing incapacity and Different Backward Courses or OBC (non-creamy layer) quotas, amongst others.

In a notification, the personnel ministry stated the UPSC “is allowed to carry out Aadhaar authentication, on voluntary foundation, for verification of identification of candidates on the time of registration on ‘One Time Registration’ portal and numerous phases of examination/recruitment check, utilizing Sure/No or/and e-KYC authentication facility”.

The fee shall adhere to all provisions of the Aadhaar (Focused Supply of Monetary and Different Subsidies, Advantages and Companies) Act, 2016, “the principles and laws made thereunder” and instructions issued by the Distinctive Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the notification added.

Aadhaar is a 12-digit quantity issued by the UIDAI to all eligible residents on the premise of biometric and demographic information.

The UPSC had, in July, initiated a sequence of actions towards Khedkar, together with the registration of a forgery case towards her for availing makes an attempt within the civil providers examination by faking identification. Subsequently, the Delhi Police registered a case and began its probe.

Khedkar, who was provisionally allotted the Indian Administrative Service (2023 batch, Maharashtra cadre), was accused of misusing energy and privileges throughout her coaching in Pune.

In June, the UPSC additionally determined to make use of facial recognition and synthetic intelligence-based CCTV surveillance programs to forestall dishonest and impersonation in its numerous exams.

By a young doc, it invited bids from skilled public sector undertakings to plot two tech options — “Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication (else digital fingerprint capturing) and facial recognition of candidates and QR code scanning of e-admit playing cards” and “Stay AI-based CCTV surveillance service” — for use through the examination course of.

The UPSC conducts 14 main exams yearly, together with the distinguished civil providers examination to pick out officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Overseas Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), in addition to plenty of recruitment exams and interviews yearly for induction to Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ posts of the central authorities.

Lakhs of candidates seem in such recruitment performed throughout the nation. 

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