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Tragic Deaths During Recruitment Runs Raise Questions on Compensation

Recent recruitment runs for the UP Home Guard and Delhi Police have been marred by tragic incidents, with candidates losing their lives during physical tests. This has raised critical questions about the government's compensation policies for such unfortunate events. The article delves into specific cases, including the deaths of Shivam Yadav and Saurabh Kumar, and discusses whether families can receive compensation. It also outlines potential avenues for obtaining support, including state government assistance and legal appeals. Read on to understand the implications of these incidents and the responses from authorities.
By Ambika Singh Sep 23, 2026, 11:40 IST

Overview of Recent Recruitment Incidents



The ongoing physical assessments for the 2025 Uttar Pradesh Home Guard recruitment include a running segment, which has also been a part of the Delhi Police recruitment process. These events have garnered attention not only for the physical challenges but also due to the unfortunate deaths of candidates during the running tests. Reports have surfaced regarding the deaths of two candidates, leading to immense grief for their families and raising numerous questions among other participants.


Incidents of Candidate Deaths

**Shivam Yadav's Tragic Death in UP Home Guard Recruitment**


Shivam Yadav, a candidate from Bareilly, tragically died during the UP Home Guard recruitment run. He had traveled to Moradabad for the physical test and collapsed just 500 meters from completing the 4,800-meter run. Despite having finished 11 out of 12 laps, he fell before the final lap and unfortunately passed away. Shivam was an engineering graduate.


**Saurabh Kumar's Death During Delhi Police Recruitment**


In a similar incident, 23-year-old Saurabh Kumar died while participating in the Delhi Police recruitment run. He had arrived at the Delhi Police Academy in Wazirabad for the examination but collapsed during the run. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed before reaching medical assistance.


Government Compensation Policies

**Is Compensation Provided for Deaths During Recruitment?**


The deaths of candidates during these recruitment runs have sparked discussions about government compensation. Typically, recruitment advertisements clarify that the recruiting agency is not liable for any incidents occurring during the process, which means compensation is generally not provided.


**Alternative Avenues for Compensation**


Although standard rules do not mandate compensation for deaths during physical tests, families may still seek compensation through other means. Here are some potential avenues:


1. **State Government Compensation**: The state government may offer ex-gratia payments to the families of deceased candidates. For instance, in Jharkhand in 2024, the government provided ₹4 lakh to each family following similar incidents during the Excise Constable recruitment run.


2. **Legal Appeals**: Families can appeal to the Human Rights Commission or the courts for compensation, especially if they can demonstrate negligence by the recruiting agency. For example, the Odisha Human Rights Commission mandated a compensation of ₹10 lakh to families in a previous case.


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