The use of the word ‘pandit’, allegedly in a wrong light, in a question in the Uttar Pradesh police recruitment examination sparked 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’, meaning scholar, is also used to refer to Brahmins.
A question in the written test for sub-inspector (civil police) and equivalent posts conducted on March 14 by the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board reportedly asked candidates to choose a term for “a person who changes with circumstances”. The options were “Pandit” (scholar), “Avsarvadi” (opportunist), “Nishkapat” (innocent or sincere) and “Sadachari” (virtuous). The “Pandit” option sparked a row with political parties who claimed it was aimed at portraying the Brahmin community in a derogatory manner.
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“Such a question shows the mindset of the present government. The word ‘pandit’ generally signals Brahmins. Any derogatory words directed at any caste, community, religion or tradition should not be allowed anywhere in a civilized society. I strongly condemn such a question being asked in the Sub-Inspector (SI) exam,” said Pramod Tiwari, Deputy Leader of Opposition in MP Rajya Sabha.
Mahesh Pandey, who is associated with the Sarve Brahmin Ekta Sabha, claimed: “Such acts are not random; they appear to be part of a deliberate conspiracy to provoke discord and disrupt peace. It is shocking that such a possibility has been raised in a government trial to defame Brahmins.”
Amid the uproar, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said, “We strongly disagree with the (answer) options given in the Uttar Pradesh police recruitment exam question. The government has taken serious note of this. Any question that insults the dignity of any community or class is totally unacceptable.” The mounting criticism and outburst forced Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to issue instructions to all recruitment board chairmen to ensure that no disrespectful or derogatory remarks are made about the dignity and beliefs of any individual, caste, sect or religious community and are immediately directed to a paper-based blacklist of offenders.
“Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has taken a strict stand on the issue related to UP police sub-inspector recruitment exam, has issued clear instructions. The CM has directed all recruitment board chairmen to ensure that no disrespectful or derogatory remarks are made about the dignity and beliefs of any individual, caste, sect or religious community. All such remarks will not be tolerated under any circumstances. be clearly directed in this regard and that the usual the offenders must be blacklisted immediately, the CM further said that this provision should also be included in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the paper makers,” said an official statement by the UP government.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said that those indulging in such divisive tactics will be identified and dealt with strictly under the law. “The controversy surrounding the UP Sub-Inspector exam and the use of caste-based slurs is highly condemnable. The use of caste as a form of abuse is a direct attack on the social harmony of our nation and a dangerous attempt to poison the 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 interfere with the emotions of the country or the community. They will ensure that they such elements will think twice before trying to spread hatred in society,” said Pushkar Mishra, a senior BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh.
Published – 15 March 2026 22:03 IST
