Other News

UPSC Reform Push: AI Integration, Stress Support On Cards, Says Chairman Ajay Kumar

New Delhi: In a welcome departure, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is adopting a more student-centric approach aimed at reducing the stress of aspirants. In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, UPSC chairman Ajay Kumar unveiled a wide-ranging roadmap of reforms -- aimed at reducing stress, enhancing exam transparency, detecting forgery with tech tools, and building inclusive platforms that empower deserving candidates beyond the exam results. "The UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of the most prestigious and competitive examinations in the country. Naturally, the demands are high -- the syllabus is vast, the process is multi-staged, and the level of competition is intense. While this rigor ensures the quality of India's civil services, we are also deeply aware of the emotional and psychological toll it may have on some aspirants," he said. He said that PRATIBHA Setu, which provides new employment opportunities, is a step in this direction. "Announcing examination dates in advance is yet another step which removes uncertainty and helps students pace their preparations appropriately. The. UPSC call centre, which has recently been started, helps the aspirants to get answers on various administrative issues which may be bothering them," said Kumar. He said that the commission also facilitates multi-lingual interaction, reducing stress to people who are not comfortable in English. "We are continuously trying other initiatives to see how the process remains as friendly and predictable for the aspirant. We also urge the family and other support systems around the candidates to provide them support recognizing the competitive nature of the UPSC exams," he said. Referring to the issue of forgery in UPSC examination, Kumar said, "We view any attempts to forgery or false documents submission seriously and will not hesitate to take strictest action against those found indulging in any form of cheating." Emphasis on tech-driven measures He said that UPSC is proactively adopting modern, technology-driven measures to ensure forgery of documents is detected. "Last month, we started Aadhaar-based authentication for candidates. We are also planning many other technology-based initiatives including identity verification measures, advanced levels of data analytics, security features in answer booklets etc., technology based stronger exam centre vigilance, post-examination integrity checks etc," he said. A 1985 batch IAS officer, Kumar was the defence secretary before assuming charge as UPSC chairman. He also emphasised on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He said that AI has the potential to transform processes across sectors, and UPSC is no exception. "For instance, in disciplinary cases involving hundreds of pages of documentation, or in promotion matters requiring the review of a decade's worth of performance appraisals, AI can help ease the burden of manually processing large volumes of information. By assisting in such tasks, AI can significantly reduce processing time and enhance efficiency. UPSC will adopt AI thoughtfully -- guided by how well it serves our core objectives and the values we uphold," said Kumar. Latest initiative "At UPSC, we believe it's important to lead by example on key issues like sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity. That's why we started the eco-friendly "No to plastic bottles" initiative -- to promote sustainability and send a strong message to everyone who looks up to UPSC," Dr Kumar said. In the same spirit, PRATIBHA Setu initiative is a small but meaningful step to support deserving candidates who made it to the final stage of the selection process but couldn't clear the last hurdle. While this isn't part of our core responsibilities, UPSC officers have gone the extra mile to help these talented young individuals. It's also proving helpful to industries and organizations that are constantly in search of bright and capable people, he said. PRATIBHA SeTU PRATIBHA stands for Professional Resource And Talent Integration - Bridge for Hiring Aspirants -- is a step taken to connect the rich talent pool of UPSC examinees with broader national ecosystems such as industry, academia, startups, and think tanks. "The core idea behind PRATIBHA SeTU is simple yet powerful. Every year, lakhs of highly capable and knowledgeable candidates appear for UPSC examinations. While only a few make it to the final list due to limited vacancies, many among them demonstrate exceptional merit, discipline, and subject expertise. PRATIBHA SeTU aims to bridge this gap -- connecting these talented individuals with sectors that can benefit from their intellect and drive," said Kumar. Benefiting key stakeholders Industry and Startups are constantly looking for individuals with analytical skills, problem-solving capabilities, and resilience -- qualities that UPSC aspirants develop through rigorous preparation. PRATIBHA SeTU provides access to this pool, helping companies find talent with a strong foundation in policy, administration, economics, and more. Kumar said that many UPSC aspirants possess deep insights into governance, law, international relations, and public policy. "This platform enables think tanks to tap into these minds for research, policy formulation, and grassroots-level understanding of governance," he said. PRATIBHA SeTU also opens avenues for educational and training institutions to identify potential educators, mentors, and researchers from among former aspirants -- many of whom bring both academic rigor and real-world awareness.

Latest Stories

Read Full Story