Yogi Govt Tightens Character Verification Rules for UP Government Job

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• The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has tightened character verification rules for candidates seeking government jobs, particularly those involved in violent activities.

• Candidates above 21 years of age may be disqualified if they participated in violent activities during the three years preceding verification.

• An FIR or pending police investigation alone will not be sufficient grounds to reject a candidate.

• The new guidelines require police and the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) to submit verification reports within 30 days.

• The Samajwadi Party and Congress have criticised the rules, arguing that they could affect democratic protest rights.

Lucknow, October 29 (Abbas Jaffri–PMI): The Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh has introduced significant changes to the character verification process for candidates seeking government jobs, making eligibility rules stricter for individuals involved in violent activities.

According to new guidelines issued by M. Devaraj, Principal Secretary of the state’s Transport and Appointments Department, candidates who participate in violent protests aimed at forcibly changing the government or overthrowing it, or who are members of organisations promoting such extremist activities, will be barred from government employment. The rules, framed in accordance with Allahabad High Court directions, will apply to direct recruitment across state government departments, corporations, boards and local bodies.

Under the revised guidelines, candidates above 21 years of age may be declared ineligible if they are found to have participated in violent activities during the three years preceding the verification date. However, merely holding a particular political ideology will not disqualify a candidate. Registration of an FIR or a pending police investigation alone will also not be sufficient grounds for rejection.

The disqualification provisions will not apply to individuals acquitted by courts, cases settled through compromise, or matters covered under the Juvenile Justice Act. Candidates may receive provisional appointment letters after submitting self-declarations. However, providing false information during verification could lead to immediate termination and legal action.

The guidelines have drawn criticism from opposition parties. Samajwadi Party spokesperson Udayveer alleged that the stringent orders resembled British-era authoritarian rule. He maintained that peaceful protest was a constitutional right and that governments could legitimately change through elections.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi accused the government of assuming the role of the judiciary and alleged that it was apprehensive about protests by Gen-Z youth.

The guidelines also require police and the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) to submit verification reports to the appointing authority within 30 days of receiving a request. Officials need not visit candidates’ homes, and physical attendance is not mandatory.

If an adverse verification report is received, the District Magistrate must provide the candidate an opportunity to explain their position, either online or in person. The new verification requirements will not apply retrospectively to employees already serving in government departments. (pressmediaofindia.com)