The Uttar Pradesh Police constable recruitment exams commenced on February 17th, with the state government aiming to bolster the police force by recruiting 60,244 constables. These examinations are being held across 2385 centers spread across all 75 districts of the state, with tests scheduled on both February 17th and 18th, conducted in two shifts.
The sheer magnitude of the recruitment drive is reflected in the staggering number of candidates participating, totaling approximately 48,17,441, out of which 15,48,969 are female candidates. Notably, a significant portion of applications, over 6 lakh, originates from outside Uttar Pradesh, with Bihar alone contributing 2.5 lakh applications, as reported by NDTV.
On the first day of the exams, a total of 12,04,360 candidates appeared in both shifts, with similar numbers expected for the subsequent day. The diversity of applicants is evident, with significant representation from neighboring states such as Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Punjab.
However, logistical challenges have arisen due to the large influx of candidates, as reported by a candidate from Bihar who faced difficulties while commuting due to overcrowded trains. Videos shared on social media platforms like X depicted the hustle and bustle observed around railway stations.
To facilitate the transportation of candidates, the Railway Administration arranged three special trains: the Ballia-Varanasi Exam Special Train (05113), the Gorakhpur-Bahraich Examination Special Train (05127), and the Gorakhpur-Varanasi City-Gorakhpur Examination Special Train (05129/05130).
Despite efforts to ensure a smooth examination process, incidents of malpractice were reported on the first day. Over 120 individuals were apprehended across Uttar Pradesh for impersonating candidates and engaging in cheating during the police constable recruitment examination. These arrests were made by the state police, with specific cases ranging from the use of chits to impersonation and deceiving candidates.
Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar highlighted the widespread nature of these arrests, detailing the distribution across various districts. Additional Director General of the Special Task Force (STF) Amitabh Yash emphasized that those arrested were employing various tactics to cheat, underscoring the need for stringent measures to maintain the integrity of the recruitment process.
As the examinations continue on the second day, heightened security measures have been implemented at examination centers to prevent further incidents of malpractice and ensure the fair conduct of the exams. The authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to uphold the sanctity of the recruitment process and safeguard the interests of genuine candidates.