- Starting from this examination cycle, the SSC will provide Aadhaar authentication as an optional service at critical points during the recruitment process.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released an updated examination schedule for the year 2025–2026. Although the initial exam calendar published on May 9 remains unchanged for most of the examinations, the dates for three specific exams have been modified.
The exam dates have been revised for the below mentioned exams:
| S. No. | Name of Examination | Schedule of Examination |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | JSA/LDC Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2024 (only for DoPT) | 15th June, 2025 |
| 2. | SSA/UDC Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2024 (only for DoPT) | 15th June, 2025 |
| 3. | ASO Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2022–2024 | 15th June, 2025 |
Optional Aadhar Authentication Policy
In the meantime, the Council has released updated guidelines concerning OTP-based authentication for SSC candidates. Starting from this exam cycle, SSC will provide Aadhaar authentication as an optional feature at critical points in the recruitment process. These points include: Aadhaar OTP-based authentication during One Time Registration (OTR); Aadhaar Face Authentication when submitting applications; Aadhaar fingerprint or iris-based biometric authentication at the time of taking the examination; Aadhaar authentication during Physical Efficiency/Standard Tests or Medical Examinations; and once more at the Document Verification and final stage.
Joining.
“At no stage will the Aadhaar number be stored or retained by SSC locally. It will only be used for real-time authentication as per UIDAI’s prescribed standards. During authentication, e-KYC details such as Name, Father’s Name, Gender, Date of Birth, Address, and Photograph may be obtained with the candidate’s explicit consent to enable verification and ease of application processing,” Commission clarified.
The Commission also stated that the candidates who opt for Aadhaar authentication will be subject to fewer procedural checks during the examination process. “Since their identity would have been confirmed through Aadhaar, such candidates will not be rejected solely due to discrepancies in photograph or signature. They will also be allowed entry to the examination venue closer to the gate closing time, as physical verification formalities will be minimal,” SSC stated.
Candidates who choose not to provide Aadhaar must instead upload supporting documents for each of the following details: Name, Father’s Name, Gender, Date of Birth, Address, and Photograph. Documents accepted for this purpose include PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving License, Birth Certificate, School Certificates, Utility Bills, Bank Passbook, Rent Agreement, and a recent passport-sized photograph. These documents must be clear,up-to-date, and verifiable.
The candidates who chose to opt out of Aadhar authentication process will be required to report at least two hours before the scheduled gate closure time on the examination day. “This is necessary to allow sufficient time for thorough manual verification at the venue, in order to prevent impersonation and fraudulent entries,” SSC stated.
Aadhaar-based authentication will also be extended to scribes and examination personnel. This will help SSC to monitor whether any individual has repeatedly acted as a scribe, cross-check their examination history, and evaluate their educational qualifications, SSC stated.
At no point will the Aadhaar number be stored or kept locally by the SSC. It will solely be utilized for real-time authentication in accordance with UIDAI’s established standards. During the authentication process, e-KYC details such as Name, Father’s Name, Gender, Date of Birth, Address, and Photograph may be collected with the candidate’s explicit consent to facilitate verification and streamline application processing,” the Commission clarified.
The Commission further indicated that candidates opting for Aadhaar authentication would experience fewer procedural checks during the examination process. “As their identity would have been verified through Aadhaar, such candidates will not be disqualified solely due to inconsistencies in their photograph or signature. They will also be permitted entry to the examination venue closer to the gate closing time, as physical verification procedures will be minimal,” the SSC stated.
Candidates who decide against providing Aadhaar must upload supporting documents for each of the following details: Name, Father’s Name, Gender, Date of Birth, Address, and Photograph. Acceptable documents for this purpose include PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving License, Birth Certificate, School Certificates, Utility Bills, Bank Passbook, Rent Agreement, and a recent passport-sized photograph. These documents must be clear, current, and verifiable.
Candidates who opt out of the Aadhaar authentication process will be required to arrive at least two hours prior to the scheduled gate closure time on the examination day. “This is essential to allow adequate time for comprehensive manual verification at the venue, in order to prevent impersonation and fraudulent entries,” the SSC stated.
Aadhaar-based authentication will also be available for scribes and examination personnel. This will assist the SSC in monitoring whether any individual has repeatedly served as a scribe, cross-checking their examination history, and assessing their educational qualifications, the SSC stated.
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