Overview
- The Union Public Service Commission published final exam-day instructions for the Civil Services (Main) Examination that require every candidate to carry two recent passport-size photographs for each session.
- Face-authentication will be performed in real time at centres and has been made mandatory to match candidates to the images on their application records.
- Candidates must present the original photo ID listed on their e-admit card and those who cannot produce it or who fail face authentication may be asked to sign a venue undertaking and affix a photograph so they can still sit the paper.
- The Mains written papers will be held across five days on August 21, 22, 23, 29 and 30 with two three-hour shifts each day and the Commission will open the Question Paper Representation Portal from August 31 to September 4 for any post-exam objections.
- The move builds on the same face-authentication system used in the May prelims at over 2,000 centres and aims to reduce malpractice risks while placing logistical burdens on candidates to reach centres early and carry the required documents and no valuables because no safekeeping will be provided.