Parties, outfits invoke ‘Brahmin’ angle to ‘pandit’ reference in U.P. police recruitment exam

The use of the word ‘pandit’ allegedly in bad light in a question in a police recruitment examination in Uttar Pradesh triggered an uproar on Sunday (March 15, 2026), with political parties and Brahmin social groups questioning the motive of the government and the recruitment body. The word ‘pandit’, which means scholar, is also used to refer to Brahmins.

A question in the written test for sub-inspector (civil police) and equivalent posts, conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board on March 14, reportedly asked candidates to choose a term for “a person who changes according to circumstances”. The options were ‘Pandit’ (scholar), ‘Avsarvadi’ (opportunist), ‘Nishkapat’ (innocent or sincere) and ‘Sadachari’ (virtuous). The option ‘Pandit’ stoked a row with political parties alleging that it was aimed at presenting the Brahmin community in a derogatory way.

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“Such a question shows the mindset of the present government. ‘Pandit’ word generally signals towards Brahmins. Any derogatory words directed at any caste, community, religion or tradition should not be allowed anywhere in a civilised society. I strongly condemn such a question which was asked in the Sub-Inspector [SI] examination,” said, Pramod Tiwari, Deputy Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and senior MP from the Congress party. 

Mahesh Pandey, who is associated with Sarv Brahmin Ekta Sabha alleged, “Such acts are not accidental; they appear to be part of a deliberate conspiracy to provoke divisions and disturb peace. It is shocking that such an option was put in a government exam to defame Brahmins.

Amid the uproar, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said, “We strongly object to the [answer] options provided for a question in the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment Examination. The government has taken serious note of this. Any question that offends the dignity of any community or class is completely unacceptable.” Growing criticism and outburst forced Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to issue directions to all recruitment board chairpersons to ensure that no disrespectful or derogatory remarks are made about the dignity and beliefs of any individual, caste, sect or religious community and directed to immediately blacklist offender paper setters.

“Taking a strict stance on the issue related to the question paper of U.P. Police Sub-Inspector recruitment examination, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued clear instructions. CM directed all recruitment board chairpersons to ensure that no disrespectful or derogatory remarks are made about the dignity and beliefs of any individual, caste, sect or religious community. Such remarks will not be tolerated under any circumstances. He also instructed that all paper setters should be clearly directed in this regard and that habitual offenders must be immediately blacklisted. CM further said that this provision should also be included in the Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] with paper setters,” reads an official U.P. government statement.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asserted that those indulging in such divisive tactics will be identified and dealt with firmly under the law. “The controversy surrounding the U.P. Sub-Inspector examination and the use of caste-based slurs is extremely condemnable. Using caste as a form of abuse is a direct attack on the social harmony of our nation and a dangerous attempt to poison society. Let it be absolutely clear that those indulging in such divisive tactics will be identified and dealt with firmly under the law. No one will be allowed to play with the emotions of any community or undermine the unity of the country. Strict action will ensure that such elements think twice before attempting to spread hatred in society,” said Pushkar Mishra, a senior BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh.