The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced that all exam candidates must undergo face authentication at exam centres. This new AI-enabled facial recognition system was first tested in a pilot programme in September 2025 at select Gurugram centres. The pilot matched candidate photos with registration forms digitally, cutting entry time to about 8–10 seconds. The initiative, done with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), will improve exam security and make entry easier. UPSC's July 2025 tender also seeks bids to add Aadhaar fingerprint scans and QR code scanning of e-admit cards to strengthen identity checks. UPSC runs about 14 major exams across 180 centres with up to 12 lakh candidates. These measures come after concerns over exam integrity caused by cases like IAS probationer Puja Khedkar's alleged forgery and cheating issues in the NEET exam. UPSC has filed a criminal case against Khedkar for falsifying facts to gain extra attempts. The commission also updated rules to require submitting educational, caste, and disability certificates during prelims, not later, to tighten the process. This step marks a clear move to secure exams with modern technology and prevent fraud, ensuring fair chances for all aspirants.