National: In a major push to enhance transparency and prevent identity-related fraud, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has announced it will implement Aadhaar-based biometric authentication for all recruitment examinations starting May 2025. The decision is aimed at bolstering candidate verification and tackling the persistent issue of impersonation in competitive exams.
Candidates will now have the option to use their Aadhaar credentials voluntarily during online registration, application submission, and at examination centres. The move, detailed in an official notification, is expected to streamline the examination process and reinforce fairness in SSC’s vast recruitment network.
SSC, one of India’s largest recruitment bodies, conducts nationwide exams to fill non-gazetted posts in various ministries and government departments. With lakhs of aspirants appearing annually for exams such as the Combined Graduate Level Examination, Multi-Tasking Staff Exam, and Junior Engineer Exam, the Commission has often grappled with impersonation and irregularities in test centres.
Officials said the new Aadhaar-linked verification system will serve as a critical tool in identifying and preventing such malpractices. The authentication, though not mandatory, will be implemented under the Aadhaar Act, 2016, and the Commission has assured that it will adhere strictly to all guidelines issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
This development mirrors a similar initiative introduced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which adopted Aadhaar-based verification and AI-driven surveillance in 2024 to counter exam fraud.
The SSC conducts seven major open competitive exams annually, in addition to three departmental examinations. With the introduction of biometric checks, the Commission aims to set a new benchmark in ensuring the integrity and credibility of the recruitment process.