According to an NDTV report, the new rules have been issued in compliance with directions from the Allahabad High Court. M. Devraj, Principal Secretary of the Appointment and Personnel Department, recently issued the guidelines. The policy will apply to candidates selected through direct recruitment in various state government departments, councils and local bodies.
The order states that individuals associated with organisations involved in promoting violence will be considered ineligible for government appointments. Specifically, membership of any organisation whose objective is to change the existing system through violent means may disqualify a candidate from securing a government job.
The guidelines also establish a three-year period for examining the conduct of government job applicants. Participation in such activities during the three years preceding the date of verification, after the candidate has attained the age of 21, may be treated as evidence of active involvement. However, the authorities may reconsider a case if there is concrete evidence of a positive change in the candidate's behaviour.
The government has also clarified that the rules will not automatically disqualify candidates solely because of their political ideology. The mere registration of a First Information Report (FIR) or the continuation of an investigation against a candidate will not, by itself, be sufficient grounds for declaring the person ineligible.
The guidelines further state that delays in certification will not hold up the issuance of appointment letters. Authorities may issue provisional appointment letters after obtaining a self-declaration from the candidate. However, if the information provided is found to be incorrect, the appointment will be cancelled immediately and legal action will be initiated.
Under the prescribed procedure, the police and the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) must submit their character verification reports within 30 days of receiving an application. Police personnel or LIU officials will not be required to visit the candidate's residence or secure the candidate's physical presence to complete the verification.
If discrepancies emerge in a verification report, the concerned District Magistrate must give the candidate an opportunity to present their side of the case, either online or in person, before forwarding a recommendation.
The order has drawn sharp reactions from opposition parties. Congress leader Rashid Alvi criticised the move during a conversation with a news channel, alleging that the government was using the guidelines to discourage young people from participating in protests. Questioning the government's authority to determine such matters, he said, "Is it the government's job to decide this? Aren't there courts?... This shows that the government is afraid of Gen Z protests."
The Samajwadi Party also compared the new rules with practices followed during British colonial rule. Party spokesperson Udayveer Singh said such orders were issued during the British era. He maintained that the right to protest in independent India is a constitutional guarantee and accused the government of operating with an intent to intimidate people.
The revised verification framework introduces stricter scrutiny of candidates' involvement in violent activities while retaining safeguards against automatic disqualification based solely on political ideology, an FIR or a pending investigation. Its implementation will affect the character verification process for direct recruitment across Uttar Pradesh's government departments, councils and local bodies.
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