Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that the state’s recruitment process has undergone a historic transformation since 2017, moving from a system plagued by corruption and nepotism to one that is transparent and accountable.
Addressing the appointment letter distribution ceremony for 1,494 newly selected assistant operators in the UP Police Telecom Department at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow, the CM stated that past malpractices had weakened law and order and derailed youth aspirations.
"After the double-engine government came to power in 2017, the first major step was to make the recruitment process transparent and fair. The Police Recruitment Board was strengthened as part of this effort. As a result, Uttar Pradesh now ranks first in the country for police recruitment and providing government jobs. So far, the government has given government jobs to 8.5 lakh youth, which is the highest number in the entire country," he said.
CM Yogi noted that more than 2.17 lakh personnel have been recruited in the UP Police through a fair and transparent process, making it the highest in the country. He added that the improved recruitment system has boosted investor confidence and created nearly 2 crore local employment opportunities.
"Today, UP's recruitment process has become a model for the entire country," he stated.
He acknowledged that training capacity has also seen significant growth. “Earlier, only around 3,000 police personnel could be trained, but now training arrangements for 60,244 recruits are being managed within UP Police's own training institutes,” he said.
The CM said that since 2017, new police lines and headquarters have been constructed in 10 districts where none existed before. He highlighted the implementation of the Police Commissionerate system in seven cities, pending since 1971-72, as a key reform that has enhanced modern policing and accountability.
Praising the police force for ensuring a riot-free, law-abiding environment in the state, the CM remarked, "The Mahakumbh is a clear example of the police force's dedication and sensitivity, where their commitment and conduct ensured the event's success."
He emphasised that the public also judges the police by their behaviour and not just by their duties.
Highlighting the government’s push for inclusion, CM Yogi noted that 20 per cent reservation for women in the police force has led to around 300 women being selected in the latest batch. "This number will increase further in the future," he said.
"20% reservation will be given to Agniveer recruits in the Uttar Pradesh Police. This decision will allow trained and disciplined youth to join the police force," he announced.
Commending the Telecom Department for its exemplary service during the Mahakumbh, he added, “Communication is the backbone of any police force,” and reiterated the vital role of technology in policing, especially in a state with 25 crore people.
As India moves toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy, CM Yogi said the police must be both sensitive and strict. “It is important to present a safe, transparent, and capable Uttar Pradesh where the police stand as a source of inspiration,” he concluded.