New Delhi: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) will introduce Aadhaar-based biometric authentication in all recruitment exams starting May 2025.
The move, announced through an official notice, is aimed at verifying candidates’ identity and preventing impersonation during recruitment tests. This identity verification method will remain optional for candidates.
Authentication at Multiple Stages
Candidates will be able to opt for Aadhaar authentication during three key stages: online registration, filling out the application form, and appearing at test centres. According to officials, this phased biometric process is expected to strengthen exam integrity by reducing identity fraud and duplicate participation.
SSC is one of India’s largest central recruitment agencies and conducts several nationwide exams for non-gazetted positions across ministries and government departments. The Commission holds seven all-India open competitive exams and three departmental exams every year.
Backed by Government Notification
The SSC’s adoption of biometric authentication follows a September 2023 notification by the Union Personnel Ministry, which allowed the use of Aadhaar authentication for recruitment purposes on a voluntary basis. The notification emphasised compliance with the Aadhaar Act, 2016, and guidelines issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
Officials clarified that the data collected for authentication will be handled as per the legal provisions under the Aadhaar Act.
Broader Shift in Recruitment Monitoring
The move comes as part of a broader shift toward technology-backed monitoring in public recruitment. In August 2023, the Personnel Ministry issued a similar notification for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which has since adopted both facial recognition and AI-based surveillance to curb cheating and impersonation.
UPSC conducts 14 major national-level recruitment exams each year, including the Civil Services Examination, while SSC handles tests that attract lakhs of applicants annually. By gradually incorporating Aadhaar authentication, SSC aims to enhance the transparency and credibility of the recruitment process without making it mandatory for all candidates.
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