#FactCheck - Viral Graphic Falsely Attributes Statement on UGC to CM Yogi Adityanath
Executive Summary
A news graphic is being shared on social media claiming that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said,“Those who practice casteism and discrimination are the ones opposing UGC. If you do not indulge in caste-based discrimination, what is there to fear?” The CyberPeace’s research found the viral claim circulating on social media to be false. Our research revealed that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath never made such a statement. It was also established that the viral news graphic has been digitally edited.
Claim
On February 8, a user on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) shared a news graphic bearing the logo of Navbharat Times, attributing the above statement to CM Yogi Adityanath. The post and its archived version can be seen below, along with screenshots. (Links and screenshots provided)
Fact Check:
To verify the authenticity of the claim, we conducted a keyword-based search on Google. However, we did not find any credible or reliable media report supporting the viral statement. We further examined the official social media accounts of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, including his Facebook and Instagram handles. Our review found no post, speech, or statement resembling the claim made in the viral graphic.
Continuing the research , we examined the official social media accounts of Navbharat Times. During this process, we found the original graphic published on the Navbharat Times Facebook page on January 26, 2026. The caption of the original graphic read: “On the occasion of Republic Day 2026, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, ‘No one is above the Constitution.’”
This clearly differs from the claim made in the viral graphic, indicating that the latter was altered.
Conclusion
Our research confirms that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath did not make the statement being attributed to him on social media. The viral news graphic is digitally edited and misleading. The claim, therefore, is false.
Related Blogs
Executive Summary:
A viral video that has gone viral is purportedly of mass cheating during the UPSC Civil Services Exam conducted in Uttar Pradesh. This video claims to show students being filmed cheating by copying answers. But, when we did a thorough research, it was noted that the incident happened during an LLB exam, not the UPSC Civil Services Exam. This is a representation of misleading content being shared to promote misinformation.
Claim:
Mass cheating took place during the UPSC Civil Services Exam in Uttar Pradesh, as shown in a viral video.
Fact Check:
Upon careful verification, it has been established that the viral video being circulated does not depict the UPSC Civil Services Examination, but rather an incident of mass cheating during an LLB examination. Reputable media outlets, including Zee News and India Today, have confirmed that the footage is from a law exam and is unrelated to the UPSC.
The video in question was reportedly live-streamed by one of the LLB students, held in February 2024 at City Law College in Lakshbar Bajha, located in the Safdarganj area of Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh.
The misleading attempt to associate this footage with the highly esteemed Civil Services Examination is not only factually incorrect but also unfairly casts doubt on a process that is known for its rigorous supervision and strict security protocols. It is crucial to verify the authenticity and context of such content before disseminating it, in order to uphold the integrity of our institutions and prevent unnecessary public concern.
Conclusion:
The viral video purportedly showing mass cheating during the UPSC Civil Services Examination in Uttar Pradesh is misleading and not genuine. Upon verification, the footage has been found to be from an LLB examination, not related to the UPSC in any manner. Spreading such misinformation not only undermines the credibility of a trusted examination system but also creates unwarranted panic among aspirants and the public. It is imperative to verify the authenticity of such claims before sharing them on social media platforms. Responsible dissemination of information is crucial to maintaining trust and integrity in public institutions.
- Claim: A viral video shows UPSC candidates copying answers.
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
Introduction
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released draft plans for advancing indigenous research and development in cyber forensics, quantum computing technologies, mobile security, cryptography, and Internet of Things (IoT) security. These roadmaps, crafted by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, outline strategic approaches to address various challenges over different timeframes leading up to 2047, marking the centenary of Indian independence. These roadmaps provide valuable insights into the nation's commitment to achieving technical autonomy and bolstering resilience in critical areas of cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
Cybersecurity Roadmap
The cybersecurity strategy serves as a lighthouse for strengthening India's digital defenses. With an eye on the immediate future, the plan seeks to create "Social Media Analytics" by 2026, reflecting the rising relevance of extracting insights from the immense ocean of social media data. Furthermore, the emphasis on "Dark Web Forensics" by 2030 demonstrates an understanding of the shifting danger scenario. Ongoing attempts to detect child abuse and human trafficking reflect a dedication to using technology to address social concerns. The timescale beyond 2047 underscores the lasting nature of these difficulties and the necessity for ongoing innovation. Furthermore, the roadmap highlights plans for GPS and car forensics by 2027 and 2029, respectively, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity that spans numerous technologies.
India's quantum computing strategy outlines considerable research and development plans till 2034. Quantum computing represents the boundary of processing power, and India intends to make major progress in this area. The extended time scale reflects the inherent complexity and limitations of applying quantum physics to practical applications.
The Mobile Security Roadmap prioritises "enterprise-grade" security measures to protect critical business and government data. Furthermore, the plan emphasises the importance of an "indigenous system for secure [operating systems] and mobile device hardware," allowing India to lessen its reliance on foreign technology in the mobile ecosystem.
Cryptography Roadmap
Cryptography is the foundation of secure digital communication, and India's strategy for this sector outlines specific and time-bound objectives. The focus on 'asymmetric cryptography' and safeguarding IoT devices by 2028-33 is consistent with worldwide initiatives to improve digital security. The emphasis on "quantum-resistant cryptography," which indicates a forward-thinking approach to encryption technologies that may endure the arrival of quantum computing, which poses a possible danger to current cryptographic systems, is particularly noteworthy.
Challenges and opportunities
While these roadmaps set a visionary route for India's technologically advanced future, such ambitious undertakings bring both problems and possibilities. The intricacy of quantum computing, as well as the ever-changing nature of cyber threats, needs ongoing adaptation and engagement with the international academic community. Furthermore, establishing self-sufficiency in vital technologies necessitates significant research, development, and talent acquisition investments.
Collaboration and Global Perspectives
In an interconnected society, the success of these roadmaps is dependent on collaboration with the global community. The sharing of information, best practices, and joint research efforts can help India advance and strengthen its capacities in these transformational technologies. Building strong international collaborations would not only boost India's position but also help to progress science and technology throughout the world.
Conclusion
India's proposed roadmaps for cybersecurity, quantum computing, mobile security, encryption, and IoT security offer a strategic and forward-thinking outlook on the country's technological future. These roadmaps, which continue well beyond 2047, the centennial of Indian independence, demonstrate India's commitment to long-term resilience and innovation in the face of growing digital problems. The effective implementation of these roadmaps would safeguard India's digital environment and position the country as a worldwide leader in cutting-edge technology, helping to improve society and expand human understanding.
Reference:
Overview of the Advisory
On 18 November 2025, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) published an Advisory that addresses all of the private satellite television channels in India. The advisory is one of the critical institutional interventions to the broadcast of sensitive content regarding recent security incidents concerning the blast at the Red Fort on November 10th, 2025. This advisory came after the Ministry noticed that some news channels have been broadcasting content related to alleged persons involved in Red Fort blasts, justifying their acts of violence, as well as information/video on explosive material. Broadcasting like this at this critical situation may inadvertently encourage or incite violence, disrupt public order, and pose risks to national security.
Key Instructions under the Advisory
The advisory provides certain guidelines to the TV channels to ensure strict compliance with the Programming and Advertising Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. The television channels are advised to exercise the highest level of discretion and sensitivity possible in reporting on issues involving alleged perpetrators of violence, and especially when reporting on matters involving the justification of acts of violence or providing instructional media on making explosive materials. The fundamental focus is to be very strict in following the Programme and Advertising Code as stipulated in the Cable Television Network Rules. In particular, broadcasters should not make programming that:
- Contain anything obscene, defamatory, deliberately false, or suggestive innuendos and half-truths.
- Likely to encourage or incite violence, contain anything against the maintenance of law and order, or promote an anti-national attitude.
- Contain anything that affects the integrity of the Nation.
- Could aid, abet or promote unlawful activities.
Responsible Reporting Framework
The advisory does not constitute outright censorship but instead a self-regulatory system that depends on the discretion and sensitivity of the TV channels focused on differentiating between broadcasting legitimate news and the content that crosses the threshold from information dissemination to incitement.
Why This Advisory is Important in a Digital Age
With the modern media systems, there has been an erosion of the line between the journalism of the traditional broadcasting medium and digital virality. The contents of television are no longer limited to the scheduled programs or cable channels of distribution. The contents of a single news piece, especially that of dramatic or contentious nature, can be ripped off, revised and repackaged on social media networks within minutes of airing- often without the context, editorial discretion or timing indicators.
This effect makes sensitive content have a multiplier effect. The short news item about a suspect justifying violence or containing bombs can be viewed by millions on YouTube, WhatsApp, Twitter/X, Facebook, by spreading organically and being amplified by an algorithm. Studies have shown that misinformation and sensational reporting are much faster to circulate compared to factual corrections- a fact that has been noticed in the recent past during conflicts and crisis cases in India and other parts of the world.
Vulnerabilities of Information Ecosystems
- The advisory is created in a definite information setting that is characterised by:
- Rapid Viral Mechanism: Content spreads faster than the process of verification.
- Algorithmic-driven amplification: Platform mechanism boosts emotionally charged content.
- Coordinated amplification networks: Organised groups are there to make these posts, videos viral, to set a narrative for the general public.
- Deepfake and synthetic media risks: Original broadcasts can be manipulated and reposted with false attribution.
Interconnection with Cybersecurity and National Security
Verified or sensationalised reporting of security incidents poses certain weaknesses:
- Trust Erosion: Trust is broken when the masses observe broadcasters in the air giving unverified claims or emotional accounts as facts. This is even to security agencies, law enforcement and government institutions themselves. The lack of trust towards the official information gives rise to information gaps, which are occupied by rumours, conspiracy theories, and enemy tales.
- Cognitive Fragmentation: Misinformation develops multiple versions of the truth among the people. The narratives given to citizens vary according to the sources of the media that they listen to or read. This disintegration complicates organising the collective response of the society an actual security threat because the populations can be organised around misguided stories and not the correct data.
- Radicalisation Pipeline: People who are interested in finding ideological backgrounds to violent action might get exposed to media-created materials that have been carefully distorted to evidence justifications of terrorism as a valid political or religious stand.
How Social Instability Is Exploited in Cyber Operations and Influence Campaigns
Misinformation causes exploitable vulnerability in three phases.
- First, conflicting unverified accounts disintegrate the information environment-populations are presented with conflicting versions of events by various media sources.
- Second, institutional trust in media and security agencies is shaken by exposure to subsequently rectified false information, resulting in an information vacuum.
- Third, in such a distrusted and puzzled setting, the population would be susceptible to organised manipulation by malicious agents.
- Sensationalised broadcasting gives opponents assets of content, narrative frameworks, and information gaps that they can use to promote destabilisation movements. These mechanisms of exploitation are directly opposed by responsible broadcasting.
Media Literacy and Audience Responsibility
Structural Information Vulnerabilities-
A major part of the Indian population is structurally disadvantaged in information access:
- Language barriers: Infrastructure in the field of fact-checking is still highly centralised in English and Hindi, as vernacular-language misinformation goes viral in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Punjabi, and others.
- Digital literacy gaps: It is estimated that there are about 40 million people in India who have been trained on digital literacy, but more than 900 million Indians access digital content with different degrees of ability to critically evaluate the content.
- Divides between rural and urban people: Rural citizens and less affluent people experience more difficulty with access to verification tools and media literacy resources.
- Algorithmic capture: social media works to maximise engagement over accuracy, and actively encourages content that is emotionally inflammatory or divisive to its users, according to their history of engagement.
Conclusion
The advisory of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is an acknowledgment of the fact that media accountability is a part of state security in the information era. It states the principles of responsible reporting without interference in editorial autonomy, a balance that various stakeholders should uphold. Implementation of the advisory needs to be done in concert with broadcasters, platforms, civil society, government and educational institutions. Information integrity cannot be handled by just a single player. Without media literacy resources, citizens are unable to be responsible in their evaluation of information. Without open and fast communication with the media stakeholders, government agencies are unable to combat misinformation.
The recommendations include collaborative governance, i.e., institutional forms in which media self-regulation, technological protection, user empowerment, and policy frameworks collaborate and do not compete. The successful deployment of measures will decide whether India can continue to have open and free media without compromising on information integrity that is sufficient to provide national security, democratic governance and social stability during the period of high-speed information flow, algorithmic amplification, and information warfare actions.
References
https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-11/advisory-18.11.2025.pdf
