In a significant move, the Centre has made it mandatory for Public Service Commission registrations to use Aadhaar-based authentication.

In a significant move, the Centre has made it mandatory for Public Service Commission registrations to use Aadhaar-based authentication.

In a significant move, the Centre has permitted the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to use Aadhaar-based authentication to voluntarily verify the identity of candidates at the time of registration and during multiple stages of examinations and recruitment. The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said, "In pursuance of clause (ii) of sub-section (4) of clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 4 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, (as amended), read with rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training, after being authorised by the Central Government, hereby notifies that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is permitted to use Aadhaar authentication using Yes/No or/and e-KYC authentication facility on a voluntary basis for verification of identity of candidates at the time of registration on the 'One Time Registration' portal and at various stages of the examination/recruitment test.

"The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will comply with all the provisions of the Act, rules and regulations made thereunder and directions issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India," the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said. The significant move comes after the UPSC in July cancelled the provisional candidature of provisionally recommended candidate Pooja Khedkar of the Civil Services Examination-2022 and permanently barred her from all future examinations and selections. Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer who secured 821st all-India rank in the UPSC exam, has been accused of misusing her authority. There are several allegations against her, including claims that she demanded a separate cabin and staff during her posting in Pune, faced unexpected transfer to Washim district and used a personal Audi car with red-blue lights and VIP number plate. In addition, she allegedly occupied the ante-chamber of Additional Collector Ajay More without permission, removed office furniture without permission and requested unauthorised facilities. Did.

UPSC conducts the civil services examination (preliminary, main and interview/personality test) for recruitment to services and posts such as Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group Indian Corporate Law Service, Group Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group Indian Defence Estates Service, Group Indian Information Service, Group Indian Postal Service, Group Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service, Group and others. In August, the Delhi High Court issued notice to the Delhi Police and UPSC in connection with the anticipatory bail plea of ​​suspended IAS officer Pooja Khedkar. Khedkar approached the Delhi High Court challenging the district court's decision that rejected her bail. The FIR alleges that she misrepresented her identity to secure an extra attempt in the civil services exam.