Amid ongoing mass protests in the national capital against the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exam held from July 24 to August 2, SSC chairperson S Gopalakrishnan on Monday acknowledged glitches in the computer-based tests.
He outlined reforms introduced since July 2025, including Aadhaar-based verification protocols, to prevent such issues in the future. However, he noted that the matter would take time to be fully resolved.
Acknowledging disruptions such as system hang-ups, time shortages, and gaps in biometric data collection during the first online test for the selection posts, Gopalakrishnan said, “Owing to these problems, the test was cancelled only at two of the 194 centres, and that too on a single day. On the remaining days, there was no cancellation at any centre.”
The affected centres were in New Delhi and West Bengal, where technical integration issues caused the glitches.
Speaking at the press briefing, he said the agency had carried out a detailed log analysis after recognising the difficulties faced by candidates. The review found problems affecting about 59,000 candidates across the country. To address this, the agency will hold another exam for them on August 29, spread across three shifts, the official added.
The agency highlighted the challenges in conducting online tests, which range from malpractices to technical glitches. These include impersonation — where the same candidate appears multiple times or poses as a scribe or exam functionary to cheat — as well as paper leaks, varying levels of testing difficulty, and software bugs that result in duplication or repetition of questions.
To tackle these challenges, the agency has introduced Aadhaar-based biometric verification using fingerprints and photographs to curb impersonation. The system, officials said, has made the process more transparent and helped detect such cases. Vigilance at testing centres has also been strengthened with support from CDAC, which enables continuous monitoring.
For paper leaks and uneven exam difficulty, the agency — acting on a Supreme Court order — has split the paper-setting process among four agencies, though their names were not disclosed. An equipercentile method has also been adopted, with questions now drawn from a secure electronic vault, the officials noted.