Verification of Character and Antecedents prior to Appointment in Government Service

Verification of Character and Antecedents prior to Appointment in Government Service

F.N. 18011/2(s)/2016-Estt(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi-110001
Dated: March, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: – Attestation form for verification of character and antecedents prior to appointment in Government service — regarding.

The undersigned is directed to state that the proposal for making attestation process citizen friendly, the matter has been examined in this Department. In this regard, it has been decided to place a note on the proposed reforms on this Department’s website for comments, which is annexed herewith.

2. It is requested to offer the comments, if any, within 15 days.

Encl:- As above

(Devesh Chaturvedi
Joint Secretary to the Government of India

A Policy note on the proposed reforms in the policy of verification and character done prior to appointment in Government service

A large numbers of Group ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and `D’ officials are appointed in Government of India through transparent selection process conducted by recruiting agencies like UPSC or SSC. Once, the list of successful candidates are recommended by these agencies as per existing provisions, the appointing authorities undertake an exercise of verification—of the character and antecedents of the candidates before formal appointment orders are issued. The recommended candidate has to fill up a Form on which the verification is carried out. The format is at Annexure I.

2. This verification is generally carried out by seeking details of the candidates through the police stations related to the addresses which are mentioned in the attestation form of the candidates. Such requests are sent through the State Governments to the local police authorities who ascertain the antecedents of candidates and give the verification report through the same channel. After receiving the verification report, the competent authority formally issue the appointment orders.

3. It has been observed in the past that this process has following shortcomings: