The central government has given permission to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to use Aadhaar-based authentication to verify candidates' identities voluntarily. This new measure will be used during the registration process and at various stages of examinations and recruitment.

The decision, formalized in a notification issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions yesterday, aims to enhance the integrity of the examination process.

The UPSC will now be able to use Aadhaar's Yes/No or e-KYC authentication facilities for identity verification on its 'one-time registration' portal and throughout the recruitment process.

The ministry’s notification cites the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, and the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020, as the legislative framework supporting this decision. The UPSC must comply with all relevant provisions of the Act and the rules and directives issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which manages the Aadhaar system.