Uttar Pradesh has tightened its character verification rules for candidates selected for government jobs, making those involved in violent activities aimed
at changing the existing system or bringing about a regime change ineligible for appointment. The state government has also laid down clear timelines for police verification and specified the categories of criminal cases that can disqualify candidates from public employment. The revised policy applies to candidates selected through direct recruitment in state government departments, corporations, councils and local bodies. The government order was issued by M Devaraj, Principal Secretary, Appointment and Personnel, in compliance with directions issued by the Allahabad High Court. The move gives greater clarity to provisions that were already part of Uttar Pradesh's character verification framework. The existing rules date back to a government order issued on April 28, 1958, which requires authorities to assess whether a candidate's character and antecedents make them suitable for government service.
Political ideology alone will not disqualify candidates
The government has clarified that candidates cannot be rejected solely because of their political beliefs or ideology.
However, individuals who are members of organisations whose stated objective is to change the existing system through violent means will be considered ineligible for government employment.
The order also provides for a three-year assessment period.
Participation in such activities after the age of 21 and within three years of the date of inquiry may be treated as evidence that the individual remains actively involved, unless there is positive evidence of a change in their attitude and behaviour.
Which offences can disqualify candidates?
Under the revised framework, candidates found involved in cases relating to murder, robbery, rape, outraging the modesty of a woman, corruption, terrorist activities, examination paper leaks and solver gangs will be barred from government employment.
The policy also addresses examination fraud, including the use of dummy candidates and forged certificates, as well as certain cybercrimes, such as digital arrest scams and UPI fraud. Cases under laws dealing with money laundering, narcotics and organised crime have also been included in the broader list of disqualifying offences, as per some reports.
However, the government has clarified that the mere registration of an FIR or the pendency of an investigation will not automatically render a candidate ineligible. Cases settled through compromise and those covered by juvenile justice laws will also not attract automatic disqualification.
Police verification to be completed within 30 days
Under the new rules, district police and the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) must submit their character verification reports to the designated authority within 30 days of receiving a request. If the deadline is missed, the Home Department will monitor the matter.
Police and LIU personnel will not be required to visit a candidate's residence or insist on their physical presence for verification. If an adverse report is received, the District Magistrate must give the candidate an opportunity to present their case, either online or in person, before forwarding a recommendation.
Candidates already employed in government service will not have to undergo fresh character verification, although information may be sought from their previous departments.
The changes come amid continued judicial scrutiny of decisions to deny government appointments on the basis of criminal cases. On October 12, the Allahabad High Court set aside the rejection of a selected police constable's candidature, holding that the appointing authority must independently assess the case rather than rely solely on adverse recommendations. The court also stressed the need to consider the nature of the allegations and the circumstances of the case.
