There had been a growing need for more innovative methods for conducting examinations with desired operational efficiency, confidentiality, security and cost effectiveness to cope with the rapidly increasing frequency and mammoth number of candidates appearing for various examinations in the country. NIC took a positive step towards the creation of a paperless examination environment and developed the CAPES (Computer Aided Paperless Examination System) which is an extremely effective, automated, multi-user software to help the organizations conduct entrance examinations and screening tests. CAPES is a state-of-the-art online examination system, extremely user friendly (GUI based), with requisite confidentiality and security features. The questions are served from a secure centralized question bank database server in a random fashion to each examinee so that no two candidates get the same set of questions. The software with its twin architectures of Web based and Client-Server CD based versions provides cost, time and administrative benefits and has two applications: Knowledge and Skill Test (KST) software which covers objective, multiple choice type test to judge the knowledge and skill level of professionals with its comprehensive and updated question bank. Typing Speed Test (TST) software to measure the Data Entry Typing speed of applicants. The software is robust and has grown manifold since its inception around 10 years back. Initially, the usage of CAPES was limited to small-scale examinations in a year conducted at CAPES hall, NIC HQ. With the advancement of technology, it was realized that for CAPES to become a premier 'technology-enabled examination software', it was required to make the application fully web-enabled with operational efficiency, speed, advanced security features and be readily available for examination conduction for any level, any item and at any location. The entire architecture of the application was shifted and rebuilt with the current technological advances and by 2000, the product was REBORN. The new Client-Server version of CAPES was successfully implemented in 2000. Within no time, the CAPES technology was going places and has not looked back since then, with a growing clients list of Government departments, corporate firms and PSUs. CAPES has been conducted for judging the knowledge and skill test for recruiting a number of IT professionals in organisations/departments like Revenue Dept. of Karnataka Govt, NAFED, Narcotics Control Bureau, World Bank, Karnataka High Court, CBSE etc. Proposals for the usage of software are coming from other organizations like SAIL, BASF (a US-based MNC), Arvind Mills and ICFAI. CAPES pilot project for DOEACC (Department of Electronics Accreditation of Computer Courses) for the CCC Course (Certificate course on computer concepts) in 2001 at NIC HQ in New Delhi was a massive success. Web-based CAPES conducted on Sept 28-29th, 2003 at 9 CIC Centres in the North East, has been another significant milestone. Online CAPES was successfully held in Nov 2004 for DOEACC from 98 State/District Centres of NIC, geographically spanning the entire country including 33 CICs (Community Information Centres in the North East. The CD version of CAPES was used at 5 DOEACC franchise centres as a pilot project this time and was cleared with flying colors. NIC provides complete technical support before, during and after the examination from the NIC HQ in the form of a support website, chat forum, exchange of emails, trial runs and telephonic conversations etc with the centres to solve the practical difficulties faced during trials and actual implementation. The support site http://tdpp.nic.in gives insight into the procedures, schedules, operating instructions, software usages/download instructions, instructions for candidates and post-test operations etc. CAPES examination software has begun to make a mark with its: • Fully web enabled with proven speed and operational efficiency • Simplicity • Compatibility (can be run on different operating systems) • Data security and confidentiality (encrypted database resides on secure server) • User friendliness (GUI based using JAVA as front-end) • Customized question bank • Instant result processing, cost, time and location effectiveness • Less selection time, better management and fully computerized environment The latest exam using CAPES was held in March 2005 at 66 locations across the country including the CICs. With the continual success of the usage and the dedicated interest and functioning of the CAPES support staff the future is bright for this technologically driven examination software which is carrying forth a positive movement towards E-governance.