Prayagraj: In a move aimed at making recruitment examinations completely cheat-proof, Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) is mulling installing signal jammers in every examination room to prevent candidates from using mobile phones and other electronic gadgets during exams.“The new arrangement would strengthen the commission’s efforts to ensure transparency and eliminate unfair means during examinations,” UPPSC secretary Girijesh Kumar Tyagi said.At present, thermal scanners, iris scans and CCTV cameras are deployed at examination centres.Under the new system, each examination hall will be equipped with a signal jammer to block all forms of external communication. Although the officials of the commission would be free to use their mobiles, barring a few officials, mobile networks or any kind of electronic signals would be jammed in all the rooms of any given exam centre.The commission is also planning to tighten the candidate verification process by linking the one-time registration (OTR) system with Aadhaar.Officials said the move, which has been introduced by Haryana Public Service Commission as well, would help curb impersonation and prevent fraudulent candidates from appearing in examinations.The commission has also implemented the “Public Service Commission Direct Recruitment (Screening) Rules, 2025” for all direct recruitment examinations.Under the new guidelines, the selection process will carry a total of 500 marks. The written examination will account for 450 marks, with each question carrying three marks, while the interview will carry 50 marks. For the preparation of the final merit list, the written examination score will be given a weightage of 75% and the interview score 25%.Officials said the revised system would ensure a more balanced assessment of candidates by evaluating both their academic knowledge and personality traits.Also, the long-awaited advertisement for the RO-ARO Examination 2026 is expected to be released in the last week of Aug.Sources said the number of assistant review officer (ARO) vacancies is likely to be significantly higher this time because nearly 350 AROs have recently been promoted to the post of review officer (RO). Additional requisitions from various govt departments are also expected, taking the total number of vacancies to around 500.The RO/ARO examination is among the most competitive recruitment tests conducted by the commission and attracts lakhs of aspirants from across the state every year.
