Who Prepares the UP SI Exam Paper—the One That Sparked an Uproar Over a Question Asked About 'Pandits'?

Several leaders across the state have termed this question a serious issue. The government has ordered an immediate inquiry into the entire matter. It has been made clear that strict action will be taken against those found responsible.

The recruitment examination for the posts of Police Sub-Inspector (SI) and equivalent ranks in Uttar Pradesh was conducted across all 75 districts of the state on March 14 and 15, 2026. Approximately 1.5 million candidates are appearing for this examination, competing for around 4,500 vacancies. However, on the very first day, a question in the Hindi section sparked a controversy. The question asked: “Who is the person who changes according to the opportunity?” Four options were provided: ‘Opportunist’ (Avsarvadi), ‘Sincere’ (Nishkapat), ‘Virtuous’ (Sadachari), and ‘Pandit’. It was the use of the word ‘Pandit’ in this context that drew objections from numerous political leaders and members of society.

Several leaders within the state have described this question as a grave issue. The government has ordered an immediate inquiry into the entire affair. It has been explicitly stated that strict action will be taken against those held responsible, and that the state government is committed to upholding the dignity and respect of all sections of society. In light of this, let us understand who exactly prepares the UP SI examination paper—the very paper in which the controversial question regarding ‘Pandits’ appeared.

Who Prepares the UP SI Exam Paper?

The Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB) organizes this examination, and the ultimate responsibility for the question paper rests with the Board itself. Typically, there is a specific procedure involved in preparing the question paper for any competitive examination:

Formation of an Expert Panel: Subject-matter experts—such as professors or experienced officials—are appointed to form panels for various subjects covered in the examination. These experts are responsible for creating a question bank.

Question Review (Moderation): The questions drafted by the experts undergo a review process conducted by a Moderation Committee. This committee ensures that the questions align with the prescribed syllabus, that the language used is clear and accurate, that there is an appropriate balance between easy, moderate, and difficult questions, and that no question is controversial in nature. 3. Final Selection and Sealing – Once all the sets are ready, the Controller of Examinations or a high-level committee appointed by the Board selects the final set and affixes an official seal to it.

Security and Printing – The selected paper is stored in sealed boxes within a secure printing facility. Subsequently, strict security protocols are observed during its transportation to the examination centers.

Adherence to Confidentiality – Every individual associated with the examination is required to take an oath of confidentiality. Provisions exist for legal action and imprisonment in the event of any leak.

Impact of the Controversy Surrounding the Question on ‘Pandit’ and Political Reactions

Several leaders across the state have termed this question a serious issue. Abhijat Mishra, the State Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), wrote a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, demanding an inquiry and action against those responsible. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also expressed strong objection to this question on social media. He asserted that there should be no place for derogatory terms directed at any caste, community, or tradition.