UPSC takes a big decision amid NEET, UGC NET uproar, preparations to implement 7 new conditions in the examinations

News about UPSC : Amid the ongoing uproar over irregularities in NEET and UGC NET examinations, UPSC has come up with a new method to prevent cheating in its examinations. It has been decided to use Facial Recognition and AI based CCTV monitoring system in UPSC exams. Not only this, a total of 7 types of new parameters have been mentioned.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recently issued a tender to invite bids from experienced PSUs to develop two technological solutions. These two solutions are-

• Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication (or digital fingerprint capturing), facial recognition of candidates
• ‘QR Code Scanning of e-Admit Cards’ and ‘Live Artificial Intelligence based CCTV Surveillance

In the tender issued, the commission has said, ‘UPSC attaches great importance to conducting its examinations in a free and fair manner. In its effort to achieve these objectives, the commission intends to use the latest digital technology to match, cross-check biometric details of candidates and monitor various activities of candidates during the examination. So that cheating, unfair means and impersonation can be prevented.’

UPSC Exams: These 7 protocols are mentioned in the tender

• The selected service provider will use the data provided by UPSC for Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication and facial recognition of the candidates during the UPSC exam.
• Provision should be made for a real-time attendance monitoring system through a secure web server. The system should have provision for GPS co-ordinates and time stamp for every enrolment to ensure that the enrolment is done during the scheduled shift.
• Facial recognition should be done with two photographs – one photo given during online registration and the other photo to be captured on the day of examination.
• CCTV/Video monitoring with recording and live broadcast systems will be implemented for the conduct of UPSC Examinations at all examination centres
• CCTV colour cameras will be installed in every exam hall (at least 1 CCTV camera for 24 candidates), entry/exit gates and control room (where sensitive material will be stored and opened before the exam and packed after the exam). Exam halls having more than 24 candidates will have one CCTV camera for every 24 candidates, with zero blind spots.
• The camera will alert if the cameras are offline or tampered (sic) by masking or black screen, if there is any movement in the classrooms 1 hour before or after the exam, and if the invigilator is not moving even after the stipulated time/ inactivity in invigilator’s activity is detected.
• The AI ​​will raise red flags on incidents that indicate fraud, unfair means, absence of inspectors, etc.

UPSC conducts 14 recruitment examinations

The Union Public Service Commission conducts 14 major examinations every year. These include the prestigious Civil Service Exam (CSE) for selection of officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS). Apart from this, several recruitment exams and interviews are also conducted for appointment to Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ posts of the Central Government.

About 26 lakh candidates are expected to appear in such recruitment exams every year. These exams are held in Leh, Kargil, Srinagar, Imphal, Agartala, Aizawl and Gangtok and other major cities.