LUCKNOW, Oct. 31 -- Of the 11,80,434 candidates registered for the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET)-2026 conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) on Friday, 7,87,964 (66.75%) appeared for the examination at 1,372 centres across 60 districts of the state. In Jhansi district, police registered an FIR against a candidate, Akash Patel, after he was found carrying a Bluetooth device. AI-based matching flagged 22 candidates as suspicious-13 in the first shift and nine in the second. The police will investigate the cases and take further action accordingly, said commission chairman SN Sabat. More than 73% of candidates appeared for PET-2026 in Lucknow on Friday. In the first shift, 14,175 (74.01%) of the 19,152 registered candidates appeared, while 4,977 remained absent. In the second shift, 14,038 (73.29%) of the 19,152 registered candidates took the test, with 5,114 remaining absent. To verify candidates' identities and ensure the integrity of the examination, advanced technologies, including AI-based facial recognition and Aadhaar- based authentication, were deployed at examination centres. Biometric data, including photographs and iris scans, were also captured for all candidates who appeared for the test. Biometric attendance was also mandatory for all officials and personnel assigned to examination duties, ensuring staff presence and accountability. To ensure the smooth conduct and effective monitoring of the examination, 2,744 sector and static magistrates, along with around 93,738 officials and personnel, were deployed....