UP to appoint 35k cops without written test

Amid reports of intelligence inputs suggesting a looming al-Qaeda and IS threat, the Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday decided to soon begin the recruitment of 35,000 police constables, doing away with the earlier practice of written examination to tide over staff shortage.

The move also assumes significance against the backdrop of the Allahabad High Court in September restraining Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment Board from issuing appointment letters to more than 38,000 candidates who were declared successful in tests after several petitioners contended that there were lacunae in the results declared. The decision to make fresh recruitments was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. 

"Guidelines for the recruitment of police constables have been finalised and the recruitment process will start soon," Yadav said. "The cabinet has decided that recruitment will be done by preparing a merit list on basis of marks of Class X and XII and physical test. Examination will not be conducted," he said.