UPSC pilots AI-enabled facial recognition for candidate verification
The Union Public Service Commission piloted AI-enabled facial authentication at select Gurugram centres during the NDA & NA II and CDS II examinations on 14 September 2025, cutting verification to 8â10 seconds per candidate.
Summary
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) piloted AI-enabled facial authentication technology for candidate verification during the NDA & NA II Examination, 2025 and the CDS II Examination, 2025 held on 14 September 2025. The pilot, run with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), was carried out at select centres in Gurugram, where candidates' live facial images were matched with the photographs in their registration forms. The system cut verification time to an average of 8â10 seconds per candidate. About 2,700 successful scans were completed for 1,129 candidates across sessions. UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar, announcing the pilot, said it was a step towards smarter, more secure and efficient examinations.
Key facts
- Date / exams
- 14 Sep 2025; NDA & NA II and CDS II Examinations
- Where
- Select centres in Gurugram
- Partner
- National e-Governance Division (NeGD)
- Speed
- 8â10 seconds per candidate
- Scale
- ~2,700 scans for 1,129 candidates
- UPSC Chairman
- Ajay Kumar
Practice MCQs 2 questions
With which agency did UPSC collaborate for its AI-enabled facial authentication pilot during the NDA and CDS examinations on 14 September 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B â National e-Governance Division (NeGD)
The pilot was undertaken in collaboration with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) at select centres in Gurugram.
In which city were the select centres where UPSC piloted AI-based facial recognition on 14 September 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C â Gurugram
The pilot was carried out at select centres in Gurugram, with about 2,700 successful scans for 1,129 candidates.