UPP constable exam: 9 heldfor fake IDs, impersonation

Lucknow: The arrest of nine accused and registration of 12 FIRs for impersonation, forged documents and dissemination of misleading content occurred in the three days of the Uttar Pradesh police constable recruitment exam.

The written examination for direct recruitment of constables (civil police and equivalent posts)-2025 concluded on Wed, with over 21.9 lakh candidates appearing across 1,183 centres in all 75 districts, the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB) said. Officials said stringent surveillance and real-time monitoring helped detect multiple attempts to compromise the sanctity of the exam. “So far, 12 cases have been registered and nine accused arrested. Strict action is being taken in all instances,” an official said.

Among the major cases, a candidate identified as Ankit Kumar from Etah was booked at Dadri police station in Gautam Budh Nagar after he was allegedly caught using a forged Aadhaar card during e-KYC verification at an examination centre.

In Aligarh, another impersonation attempt was detected at DAV Girls Inter College, where a candidate from Bulandshahr was found allegedly appearing in place of another applicant using fake identity documents. He was arrested and booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination Act, 2024.

A similar case surfaced in Kanpur, where a candidate from Jaunpur was detained during verification at a centre on Mall Road on suspicion of using forged documents. Police said legal action was underway after document verification. Authorities also widened the crackdown to include social media platforms after receiving complaints about misleading information being circulated about the examination.

Separate FIRs were registered at Hussainganj police station in Lucknow against operators of YouTube and Instagram accounts accused of spreading false or misleading content related to the recruitment drive. Police invoked relevant sections of the BNS, the Information Technology Act, 2008, and provisions of the UP Public Examination Act in these cases.

Despite these violations, the board maintained that the exam—one of the largest recruitment exercises in the country—was conducted in a “fair and peaceful manner.” A total of 28.86 lakh candidates had applied, including around 19.6 lakh men and 9.24 lakh women. Of these, 21.92 lakh candidates appeared, recording an attendance of 75.94%. Officials credited biometric verification, e-KYC authentication, CCTV surveillance and strengthened cyber monitoring for ensuring transparency and preventing large-scale malpractice.

The board reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards cheating and misinformation. “Any attempt to use unfair means or mislead candidates will invite strict legal action,” an official said. The arrests and cases, officials added, underline both the scale of the challenge and the effectiveness of enhanced monitoring systems in safeguarding the integrity of the recruitment process.