New Delhi – In a significant move to boost transparency and curb exam-related fraud, the Union Finance Ministry has authorised the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to use Aadhaar-based authentication to verify the identity of candidates appearing for banking and financial sector recruitment exams.
This initiative is set to enhance the credibility of recruitment processes conducted by IBPS, which plays a crucial role in staffing various organisations in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector.
Aadhaar Verification to Prevent Impersonation
According to an official statement from the Ministry of Finance on Thursday, the use of Aadhaar authentication will help ensure good governance, prevent impersonation, and protect genuine candidates from being sidelined due to fraudulent activities during recruitment examinations.
“This initiative aims to promote good governance and strengthen the integrity of the recruitment process in the BFSI sector. It will ensure not only a fair and transparent recruitment process but also protect genuine candidates from being disadvantaged,” said the ministry.
Aadhaar-based verification will also streamline the process by expediting identity checks, reducing administrative burden, and increasing public trust in the examination and selection system.
What is Aadhaar-Based Authentication?
Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identity number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), is based on biometric and demographic data. It is widely used across various sectors for identity verification, subsidy transfers, and digital services.
In recruitment examinations, Aadhaar authentication enables biometric validation, thus minimizing the risk of proxy candidates or duplicate identities.
A Step Towards Transparent Recruitment in BFSI
The IBPS, a leading autonomous recruitment body, was set up under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950. It was established by the Reserve Bank of India, Central Financial Institutions, and public sector banks to handle the growing demand for fair and efficient recruitment in the banking sector, especially in the post-nationalisation era.
Today, IBPS conducts exams and selection processes for multiple top-tier institutions, including:
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
- National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
- State Bank of India (SBI)
- General Insurance Corporation (GIC)
- Several Public Sector Banks and State Government Departments
By introducing Aadhaar-based biometric checks, IBPS aligns itself with modern, technology-driven recruitment mechanisms, ensuring greater accountability and merit-based selection.
SSC Also Moves to Aadhaar-Based Verification
The decision by IBPS follows a similar move by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) earlier this year. In April 2025, SSC announced the adoption of Aadhaar-based biometric authentication for all its upcoming exams from May 2025 onwards.
This voluntary mechanism aims to verify the identity of candidates more accurately and eliminate the chances of duplicate or fake entries in the exam system.
Both moves signal a growing trend of using digital identity tools to improve efficiency and transparency in government recruitment.
Benefits of Aadhaar-Based Verification in Exams
The Finance Ministry and IBPS have highlighted several benefits of implementing Aadhaar verification in competitive exams:
✅ 1. Curbing Impersonation
Biometric verification ensures that only the registered candidate appears for the exam, helping curb widespread issues of cheating and identity fraud.
✅ 2. Enhancing Fairness
Genuine aspirants are protected from being displaced by fraudulent applicants, ensuring a level playing field for all.
✅ 3. Reducing Administrative Burden
Manual document checks and physical verification processes are time-consuming. Aadhaar simplifies and automates these steps.
✅ 4. Increasing Public Trust
By leveraging Aadhaar’s secure infrastructure, recruitment agencies can restore public confidence in government hiring.
Data Privacy and Consent
While Aadhaar is an effective tool for identity verification, authorities have clarified that candidate consent will be sought before authentication. The process will follow UIDAI guidelines to ensure data privacy and protection.
IBPS and SSC will need to ensure cybersecurity measures are in place to prevent data misuse or unauthorised access during the examination and recruitment process.
IBPS at a Glance
- Established: As a society under Societies Registration Act, 1860
- Public Trust: Registered under Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950
- Parent Institutions: RBI, public sector banks, financial institutions
- Main Role: Conducts recruitment and assessment for BFSI organisations
- Clientele: RBI, SEBI, NABARD, SBI, GIC, Central and State Government PSUs
Conclusion
The introduction of Aadhaar-based verification by IBPS marks a major reform in India’s banking recruitment process. By taking advantage of modern biometric tools, the move not only makes exams more secure and trustworthy but also reflects the government’s push towards Digital India and efficient governance.
With similar initiatives already in motion at SSC, Aadhaar-based authentication is poised to become a standard protocol across major recruitment agencies in India in the near future.
