Uttar Pradesh Police Clinches Dual Honors at National GovTech Awards
In a landmark achievement, the Uttar Pradesh Police has secured national acclaim by winning two prestigious awards at the Economic Times GovTech Awards 2026. This recognition marks the state police force as the only one in India to receive accolades in two distinct categories during a single edition of the awards ceremony.
Awards Conferred at High-Profile Event
The honors were presented to Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna at the 6th ET GovTech Conclave & Awards, held in New Delhi on Thursday. This year's event featured 26 categories covering various aspects of governance, law enforcement, public sector innovation, and related institutions.
The UP Police Fact Check initiative was awarded under the Digital Policing & Law Enforcement Excellence category, while the Meta Suicidal Alert system received the Digital Citizen Engagement & Grievance Redressal Award.
Emphasis on Technology-Led Policing
A spokesperson for the Uttar Pradesh Police highlighted that this recognition underscores the state's growing focus on technology-driven policing. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, there has been a concerted effort to prioritize digital innovation in governance and law enforcement.
DGP Rajeev Krishna has been instrumental in integrating artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools into policing systems, with both award-winning projects serving as flagship examples of this approach.
Details of the Fact Check Initiative
According to Rahul Srivastava, the Public Relations Officer to the DGP and head of the Social Media Cell, the Fact Check initiative was launched in 2017 as a proactive measure against the increasing threat of misinformation on social media platforms.
The force introduced @UPPViralCheck on X (formerly Twitter), establishing India's first police-operated fact-checking platform. Its primary functions include monitoring viral content, verifying claims, and issuing timely rebuttals to prevent misinformation from disrupting public order.
In July 2022, the initiative was expanded with the launch of @UPPFactCheck on Facebook and Instagram, significantly broadening its reach and impact.
Operational Framework and Impact
At the heart of this system is a 24×7 Fact Check Desk located at the Uttar Pradesh Police headquarters. This desk continuously monitors content across major platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp.
The verification process employs a range of tools, including Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques, reverse image searches, geolocation analysis, and metadata examination. This is supported by real-time coordination with district police units to ensure swift action.
Measurable Outcomes and Success Stories
The initiative has demonstrated substantial impact over the years. Key statistics include:
- The @UPPViralCheck handle has recorded approximately 3.71 million impressions and issued over 236 fact-check rebuttals.
- The Instagram platform has garnered nearly 7.85 million views, while Facebook engagement has exceeded 54.51 lakh views.
- Across all 75 districts, police units have issued around 4,100 clarifications, and 318 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered against individuals involved in spreading misinformation from December 2017 to February 2026.
A notable success occurred during the Maha Kumbh 2025 event, where coordinated attempts were made to circulate old and unrelated videos of stampedes, falsely associating them with the Prayagraj gathering. The intent was to incite panic and tarnish the state's reputation.
The UP Police Fact Check unit identified 204 suspicious accounts and took decisive action, resulting in the registration of 14 criminal cases. Officials reported that this timely intervention helped avert potential panic, communal tensions, and reputational harm.
Innovative Suicide Alert System
The second award-winning project, the Meta Suicidal Alert system, represents a pioneering use of social media for crisis intervention. Uttar Pradesh Police is the first law enforcement agency globally to implement such a system at scale in collaboration with Meta.
Under this mechanism, posts indicating suicidal intent on Facebook or Instagram trigger immediate alerts to the UP Police Social Media Centre. A dedicated 24×7 team then traces the individual's location using integrated systems and coordinates with local police units for prompt intervention.
Police personnel subsequently reach out to the individual and their family, providing counselling, support, and rescue efforts as needed.
Life-Saving Results
From January 1, 2023, to February 28, 2026, the system facilitated the rescue of 2,181 individuals through 2,178 alerts. This includes 1,667 men and 514 women, showcasing its effectiveness in saving lives and addressing mental health crises.
These initiatives highlight Uttar Pradesh Police's commitment to leveraging technology for enhanced public safety and engagement, setting a benchmark for digital policing in India.
