UP constables clear SI recruitment, seek waiver of training and salary recovery

Nearly 1,700 Uttar Pradesh Police constables who cleared the SI exam have been asked to repay training costs and salary before joining. They say the rule should not apply because they are moving to a higher post within the same force.

In Short

• Around 1,700 successful candidates are serving constables from the 2023 recruitment batch
• They completed initial training and are currently posted for district practical training
• District notices seek training costs and salary paid until August 31, 2026

Nearly 1,700 Uttar Pradesh Police constables who have cleared the Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination are facing uncertainty over their joining as they have been asked to repay training expenses and salary received during their service.

The constables, who were recruited through the 2023 recruitment drive for 60,244 posts, argue that they are not leaving the police department but only seeking to join it on a higher post after clearing the SI examination.

The SI recruitment examination was held for 4,543 posts. Among the successful candidates are around 1,700 constables who had completed their initial training and were undergoing practical training in their respective districts.

The constables are now required to join as SIs by the last week of September. However, before joining, they are being asked to complete departmental formalities, including repayment of the amount incurred on their earlier training and the salary they received.

According to the details shared by the affected candidates, the constables underwent training from June 17, 2025, to April 26, 2026, after which they were posted in their respective districts for practical training.

They have now been served notices by district police authorities seeking recovery of Rs 2,70,982 towards training expenses and Rs 4,63,150 towards salary received between June 17, 2025 and August 31, 2026.

This takes the total amount sought from each such candidate to Rs 7,34,132.

WHY CONSTABLES ARE OPPOSING THE RECOVERY

The affected constables say the department's rule provides for recovery of training expenses and salary if an employee leaves service within two years. However, they argue that their situation is different as they are not resigning from the Uttar Pradesh Police.

Instead, the constables say, they have cleared a departmental recruitment process for a higher post and want to continue serving within the same police force as Sub-Inspectors.

The candidates also contend that the training they received as constables will continue to benefit the department and that asking them to deposit more than 7 lakh before joining as SIs is financially difficult.

They have therefore sought the intervention of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and requested that the recovery condition be waived for those moving to the higher post within the department.

Letters seeking relief are reportedly being sent to the Chief Minister from different districts.

Meanwhile, the issue is also being examined at the Uttar Pradesh Police Headquarters. The matter assumes significance as a large number of serving constables have cleared the SI recruitment examination and are seeking to transition to the higher post without leaving the police department.

The constables are awaiting a decision from the department before the September joining deadline.

- Ends