Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has tightened character verification rules for direct recruitment to government jobs. Under the revised norms, people found involved in activities aimed at changing the existing social order through violence may be considered ineligible for government employment.
The order, issued by M. Devaraj, Principal Secretary of the state Appointment Department, comes amid a controversy over alleged calls for “regime change” during a recent protest. The move by the Yogi Adityanath government has drawn criticism from opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party and the Congress.
However, the order makes it clear that a person’s political ideology alone cannot be a reason to deny them a government job. The mere registration of an FIR or a pending investigation will also not automatically make a candidate ineligible.
Political Beliefs Alone Cannot Disqualify Candidates
According to the revised rules, candidates cannot be rejected for government employment simply because of their political beliefs.
The order, however, states that people associated with organisations that aim to change the existing social order through violent means may be considered unsuitable for government service.
It also lays down a time frame for assessing such involvement. Participation in these activities after the age of 21 and within the three years before character verification may be treated as an indication that the person remains actively involved.
This may not apply if there is concrete evidence showing that the person’s conduct has changed during that period.
FIRs Will Not Lead to Automatic Rejection
The government has also clarified that an FIR against a candidate or an ongoing investigation cannot, by itself, be grounds for disqualification.
This means the police verification process should not result in the automatic rejection of candidates merely because a criminal case has been registered or an investigation is pending.
Police Must Submit Verification Reports Within 30 Days
Under the new procedure, police will have to submit character verification reports within 30 days. The timeline will apply to candidates selected through direct recruitment in state government departments and other public institutions covered by the order.
The rules also clarify that existing government employees will not have to undergo the same character verification process again.
However, authorities may seek information about their conduct and service records from their previous departments wherever required.