No UP govt job if you back organisations advocating violent 'regime change': New rules explain what could get candidates disqualified

Candidates seeking government jobs in Uttar Pradesh could face disqualification if they are found to be members of organisations that advocate changing the existing social system through violence, under revised character verification guidelines issued by the state government. The new rules apply to direct recruitment across government departments, corporations, councils and local bodies. However, the government has made it clear that political ideology alone cannot be used to declare an applicant unsuitable for a post.

The order, issued by M Devraj, principal secretary of the Appointments Department, also clarifies that the registration of a FIR or a pending investigation will not, by itself, make a candidate ineligible for government employment.

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What do the new UP government job rules say?

The revised guidelines set out the circumstances under which a candidate's association with an organisation could affect their eligibility for a government post.

The order states: "Notwithstanding anything contained in the above paragraphs, no person will be considered unsuitable for appointment solely because of their political ideology. However, individuals who are members of an organisation whose stated objective is to change the existing system of society through violence will be considered ineligible for appointment under the government."

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According to the circular, any candidate found to be a member of an organisation that pledges or aims to alter the "vidyaman vyavastha" (established system) through violent methods will be deemed ineligible for state employment.

The new guidelines also permanently shut the door on government employment for candidates implicated in serious offences, including murder, dacoity, rape, outraging modesty, corruption, acts of terror, recruitment examination paper leaks, and organised "solver gang" rackets.

According to the order, if an applicant has participated in violent or established system change-related activities within three years prior to the verification date "after attaining 21 years of age" it will be presumed that the person continues to be actively involved.

However, authorities may consider documented evidence of a genuine positive shift in the candidate's conduct and mindset during this period.

Can candidates with an FIR be denied government jobs in UP?

The order does not make the existence of a criminal complaint or an ongoing investigation an automatic barrier to government employment.

Authorities cannot reject an applicant simply because an FIR has been registered against them or a case remains under investigation. The circumstances of the individual case must be taken into account while assessing suitability.

The clarification draws a distinction between allegations that have been made against a candidate and the specific grounds for disqualification laid down in the guidelines.

Political ideology, an FIR or a pending investigation, therefore, cannot independently serve as an automatic reason to declare a candidate unsuitable under the stated rules.

"(One's) political ideology won't serve as a ground for disqualifying anyone from holding government jobs," the order reads. It, however, adds that those "associated with organisations whose 'sankalpit uddeshya' or avowed purpose is to force a regime change through violent means will be considered ineligible."

Why has the UP government changed character verification rules?

The move comes amid a political dispute over calls for “regime change” during a recent protest and a broader confrontation between the BJP-led government and opposition parties over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Congress and other INDIA bloc parties have alleged irregularities in the revision of voter lists and demanded accountability from the Election Commission.

On October 12, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders led a 'March for Democracy' towards the Supreme Court.

The opposition alliance is also scheduled to organise a ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1. The rally is expected to press for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and action over allegations of “vote theft”.


Inputs from TOI