UPSC makes a major change... using AI to weed out duplicate applications; 600 applications cancelled..
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has introduced a major change to its system. The UPSC is now utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify duplicate applications during the application process. As part of this initiative, 600 applications for the UPSC CS Exam 2026 were cancelled after being identified as duplicates. The Commission implemented this new measure to curb all forms of fraud in the examination. These steps were taken to strengthen the system following the Pooja Khedkar case. In fact, the UPSC had introduced several technology-driven changes for the 2026 exam, including Aadhaar-based authentication, live photography, facial matching, and AI-powered de-duplication (removal of duplicate applications).
Let us understand the matter in detail and explore how the UPSC's new AI-based system works and how it benefits the candidates.
**Applications of 600 Candidates Cancelled**
A total of 8.18 lakh candidates registered for the UPSC 2026 exam, compared to 9.5 lakh registrations for the 2025 exam. According to a media report, 94% of the candidates who registered for the 2026 exam had also registered for the 2025 exam. They opted for Aadhaar authentication via the new application portal, thereby establishing themselves as unique applicants and eliminating any scope for duplication.
The report further states that the data of the remaining 49,000 candidates was analyzed using AI, scrutinizing details such as names, parents' names, photographs, and dates of birth. Additionally, the UPSC analyzed its data from the past 15 years to verify the candidates' attempt limits. This process identified 600 candidates who had already exhausted their permissible number of attempts or exceeded the age limit for the exam. Consequently, their applications were cancelled.
**Such checks were previously conducted at the interview stage**
In the past, the UPSC used to cross-reference data from new candidates with its existing records—a verification process typically carried out during the interview stage. However, this scrutiny is now being performed at the initial application stage for the Preliminary examination. Reports indicate that the AI system implemented by the UPSC was developed with the assistance of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
**UPSC faced embarrassment following the Puja Khedkar controversy**
The move follows the controversy surrounding former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar last year. She was accused of appearing for the 2022 Civil Services Examination—and subsequently getting selected—after altering her own name and those of her parents, despite having already exhausted the permissible number of attempts. Although the UPSC cancelled her appointment in 2024 following an investigation, the incident caused significant embarrassment for the commission.
**What are the UPSC application rules?**