- By Sarju Saran Tiwari
- Sun, 08 Jun 2025 10:35 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
UPSC New Portal 2025: In the wake of the high-profile Puja Khedkar case, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has taken a major step to ensure better identity verification and eliminate discrepancies during the examination process. The Commission launched a new portal on May 28, 2025, incorporating Aadhaar-based biometric authentication—a first in the history of UPSC examinations.
Within just a week of its launch, more than 92% of applicants registering on the new platform voluntarily opted for Aadhaar authentication. As of June 4, over 2.65 lakh accounts had been created. Among these, 1.13 lakh completed the universal registration process, and 1.05 lakh chose Aadhaar for identity verification, showing a significant shift in how candidates prefer secure verification methods.
This portal revamp comes after the Puja Khedkar incident, where she was accused of manipulating her exam applications and using multiple identities. Following investigations, her candidature was cancelled and she was dismissed from service by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). Her case highlighted gaps in the UPSC’s identity verification systems, prompting these changes.
Aadhaar Authentication Brings Transparency and Speed:
The Aadhaar authentication initiative is aimed at eliminating duplication and fraudulent identities during the UPSC application and recruitment process. The new system allows candidates to go through a four-step registration—account creation, universal registration, application form, and exam application. Once verified via Aadhaar, the candidate’s identity and personal details are securely stored and reused across multiple exams. This enhances both efficiency and data accuracy.
While Aadhaar use remains voluntary, the UPSC is actively encouraging it. Officials say that those opting for alternative IDs might face delays or complications in the authentication process. According to UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar, the initiative improves “user-friendliness and reduces duplication.”
Portal Now Covers All Major UPSC Exams:
The revamped portal supports registration for 14 major UPSC examinations, including the Civil Services Exam, CDS, and NDA exams. With biometric authentication in place, the Commission aims to establish a centralized candidate record, eliminating the need to re-enter personal data for each exam. The new system is expected to prevent manipulation, ensure better transparency, and reduce the risk of identity fraud across all recruitment phases.