UP CM Yogi Adityanath slams pre-2017 police recruitment practices, says nepotism undermined law and order

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, while handing over appointment letters to 1,494 newly recruited assistant operators in the state police’s Telecom Department, strongly criticized the recruitment practices prior to 2017, alleging they were riddled with corruption, nepotism, and favoritism.

He asserted that such malpractices had a direct and damaging impact on the state’s law and order, leading to widespread unrest, riots, and even terrorist attacks.



Speaking at a formal ceremony held at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow, CM Yogi said, “Before 2017, recruitment in Uttar Pradesh Police was marred by monetary transactions, auctioning of posts, and discrimination, which ruined the future of deserving youth. It led to a serious law and order breakdown, with increased riots, crime, and terror strikes including attacks in courts in Ayodhya, Kashi, Lucknow, and on the CRPF camp in Rampur.”

Highlighting the reforms under his government, he stated that the recruitment process was made transparent and fair from 2017 onwards through the strengthening of the Police Recruitment Board.

“Since 2017, UP Police has inducted over 2,17,500 personnel—the highest among all Indian states,” Yogi claimed, adding that over the past eight years, 8.5 lakh youth have been given government jobs across departments in the state.

Recruitment Reform: A Symbol Of Security And Trust
CM Yogi emphasized that the transformative changes in the police recruitment process are not just about numbers. “This shift represents a renewed identity, security, and the rebuilding of public trust in law enforcement,” he said.

He recalled that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his government’s first step in 2017 was to overhaul the recruitment board and set strict accountability for any malpractice. “Today, UP’s police recruitment model has become an example for the entire country.”

The CM further added that transparent recruitment has spurred economic development, leading to the creation of employment opportunities for nearly 2 crore youth within their own districts. “UP has now emerged as the fastest-growing economy in the country, thanks to technology, policy reform, and outsourcing opportunities,” he noted.

Boost In Training And Infrastructure
Yogi also pointed to the sharp increase in police training capacity—from 3,000 trainees before 2017 to over 60,000 currently being trained in state-run police institutes.

“In the past eight years, we’ve witnessed a massive expansion of police lines, headquarters, and residential quarters. Today, in many districts, police barracks are the tallest and best buildings,” he said.

He informed that 10 districts which previously lacked a police line now have newly established facilities. Additionally, since 2017, the long-pending Police Commissionerate system has been implemented in seven major cities, further modernizing law enforcement and improving accountability.

Inclusion, Representation, And Modernization
Addressing inclusivity, the CM said, “Twenty percent reservation has been provided for women in the police force. Out of the 1,494 assistant operators selected in the telecom department, around 300 are women. This ratio will further improve in the future.”

He also reiterated the government's decision to reserve 20 percent of police posts for Agniveer candidates, ensuring that trained, disciplined youth from the Agnipath scheme can be absorbed into state police services.

The chief minister praised the Telecom Police Unit for its exemplary work during the Mahakumbh, stating that in a state with 25 crore residents, a reliable police communication system is crucial. “Telecom and communication technology is the backbone of modern policing,” he said.

A Call For Sensitivity And Strength
“As India moves toward becoming the third-largest economy in the world during this ‘Amrit Kaal’ of independence, the police must evolve too—balancing sensitivity with strength,” Yogi said. “Every decade brings a new generation. Our responsibility is to present a safe, empowered, and transparent Uttar Pradesh to this generation—with the police force standing as a source of inspiration.”



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