UP Police Wins ET GovTech Awards for Fact-Check Service and Suicide Prevention Initiatives

In a landmark achievement for law enforcement technology innovation, the Uttar Pradesh Police has secured two prestigious honors at the Economic Times GovTech Awards 2026, making it the only state police force in India to win in dual categories during a single edition of the awards.

Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna accepted the accolades at the 6th ET GovTech Conclave & Awards held Thursday in New Delhi. This year’s ceremony recognized excellence across 26 categories spanning governance, law enforcement, public sector innovation, and related institutional accomplishments.

The UP Police earned the Digital Policing & Law Enforcement Excellence award for its “UP Police Fact Check” initiative, while its “Meta Suicidal Alert” system was recognized with the Digital Citizen Engagement & Grievance Redressal Award.

A spokesperson for the UP Police highlighted that these achievements reflect the state’s growing commitment to technology-driven policing under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership. “The state has prioritized digital innovation in governance and law enforcement,” the spokesperson noted, adding that DGP Krishna has been instrumental in incorporating artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools into policing operations.

The Fact Check initiative, launched in 2017, represents a pioneering effort to combat the rising threat of social media misinformation. According to Rahul Srivastava, PRO to the DGP and head of the Social Media Cell, the force created @UPPViralCheck on X (formerly Twitter), establishing India’s first police-operated fact-checking platform. The initiative’s mandate includes monitoring viral content, verifying claims, and issuing timely clarifications to prevent misinformation from disrupting public order.

The program expanded significantly in July 2022 with the launch of @UPPFactCheck on Facebook and Instagram, substantially increasing its reach. At its operational heart lies a 24/7 Fact Check Desk at UP Police headquarters that monitors content across major social platforms including X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp.

The verification process employs sophisticated methodology including Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools, reverse image searches, geolocation analysis, and metadata examination. This technological approach is supported by real-time coordination with district police units throughout the state.

The initiative’s impact has been measurable and substantial. The @UPPViralCheck handle has generated approximately 3.71 million impressions and published over 236 fact-check rebuttals. The department’s Instagram presence has amassed nearly 7.85 million views, while Facebook engagement has exceeded 54.51 lakh views.

Across Uttar Pradesh’s 75 districts, police units have issued roughly 4,100 clarifications. More significantly, 318 FIRs have been registered against individuals involved in disseminating misinformation between December 2017 and February 2026.

The system proved particularly valuable during the Maha Kumbh 2025, when coordinated attempts were made to circulate outdated and unrelated stampede videos, falsely attributing them to the Prayagraj event. The UP Police Fact Check unit identified 204 suspicious accounts and initiated action, resulting in 14 criminal cases. Officials credit this timely intervention with preventing public panic, communal tension, and potential damage to the state’s reputation.

The department’s second award-winning program, the Meta Suicidal Alert system, represents a groundbreaking application of social media technology for crisis intervention. The UP Police is the first law enforcement agency globally to implement such a system at scale in partnership with Meta (formerly Facebook).

Under this mechanism, posts indicating suicidal intent on Facebook or Instagram trigger immediate notifications to the UP Police Social Media Centre. A dedicated round-the-clock team traces individuals’ locations using integrated systems and coordinates with local police units for swift intervention.

Responding officers reach out to both the at-risk individuals and their families, facilitating counseling, emotional support, and rescue operations when necessary. Between January 1, 2023, and February 28, 2026, the system facilitated the rescue of 2,181 individuals through 2,178 alerts, assisting 1,667 men and 514 women.

These dual recognitions underscore the growing importance of technological innovation in modern policing, particularly in addressing emerging challenges related to digital misinformation and mental health crises detected through social media platforms.