Several countries worldwide allow workers feature different kinds of tattoos, but that isn’t the case in India. Workers who seek specific government jobs in India must not have tattoos. Many government agencies do not even allow hidden tattoos on potential employees during screening.
Many commentators suggest several reasons why Indian government jobs shun tattoos on applicants. However, some of these opinions are usually incorrect. Let’s explore the true reasons why government jobs don’t allow tattoos in India and every vital detail you need to know.
Why are Tattoos Not Allowed in Indian Government Jobs?
1. Uniformity
Working in an Indian government job with tattoos can hinder uniformity across ranks. Government agencies always desire a uniform appearance among workers. The demand for uniformity stems from these agencies desire for cohesion and unity among workers in the organization. Sporting a visible tattoo in such a work environment may not be what such agencies want.
Agencies can demand the removal of tattoos or reprimand workers found with such body markings after employment.
2. Potential loss of public respect
Workers in government agencies serve the Indian people, and public perception of their appearance is a major currency. Government workers must appear as formal as possible, with no visible tattoos across their body while on duty.
For example, there is a high chance that the public will not respect a police officer with tattoos across the face. Public perception is very important to government agencies; hence, most of these jobs require applicants to sport no tattoos to gain employment. Government institutions enforce this rule to ensure they do not lose public respect.
3. Demand for professionalism
Many government agencies prefer a strict dress code for workers to retain their conservative and professional public image. Workers with visible tattoos in such government agencies may send the wrong signal to members of the public. Such government agencies want to retain their professional image; hence, the chances of rejecting tattooed applicants are high.
4. Traditional norms
Government agencies may uphold a long-standing stance on tattoo due to historical policies or traditional norms. Such policies usually reflect the society’s previous attitude towards tattoos. Government agencies with such policies may request applicants to declare any tattoos during interviews. However, these policies might no longer be at par with current social realities.
5. Security
Government security jobs usually do not prefer tattoos on applicants and employees. Jobs like law enforcement, internal and external defence may see tattoos like a potential safety concern. In such cases, government security agencies will turn down applicants who sport visible or hidden tattoos during screening.
For example, if Indian security forces are engaging aggressors, tattoos may give some members of the outfit away. Such incidents could jeopardize the security operations of officers and put the lives of others at risk.
6. Stigma
The age-long stigma of tattoos is not lost on several government security agencies in India. Government agencies may see tattoos as linked to rascality and criminal groups. Conservative groups attribute tattoos to hate groups, violent gangs, and other controversial associations. Such symbols may cause significant security risks and lead to misconceptions about government staff in several agencies.
7. Potential health issues
Tattoos may increase risk factors for skin problems, blood-borne ailments, and other health problems. Tattooed individuals may also have a high risk to contract allergies, tetanus, or viral infections. Government security agencies usually reject tattooed applicants immediately to eliminate risk factors for such health issues among troops.
8. Screening flaw
Many Indian government jobs receive excess applications for limited vacancies each year. Some screening committees could use the tattoo factor to screen out several applicants with ease. Tattoos are a no-no, especially on applicants seeking government security jobs in the Indian Armed Forces.
Many interview panel members for government jobs will instantly turn down applicants with visible tattoos. In some cases, these government jobs will request applicants to declare any tattoos they may have during screening. Such a declaration could result in immediate disqualification for government job roles, regardless of your qualification.
Tattoos usually give out a wrong impression, especially to ultra-conservative panel members. You may need to get rid of those markings if you ever want to secure a government job in India.
9. Potential for indiscipline
Conservative members of the public will view tattooed government workers as irresponsible. Such an occurrence may hamper or slow down service delivery to members of the public across government agencies. Hence, screening committees will likely reject applicants with tattoos seeking government jobs.
Screening committees may also view applicants with tattoos as individuals with a high potential for indiscipline. Government agencies adopt a cohesive design to operate effectively. Potential for indiscipline is not a valued attribute interview panels expect from applicants seeking government jobs.
Major Government Jobs Where Tattoos are Not Allowed
Members of the Indian security forces are not expected to have any tattoos on their skin. Members of the Coast Guard, Army, Air Force, and Navy cannot feature artificial markings on their bodies. Members of India’s paramilitary forces like the CRPF also fall into this category.
Jobs in the Indian Police Services (IPS) also require applicants to have no tattoos before and after employment. Security services will only screen applicants that follow these guidelines concerning tattoos:
- Permanent tattoos larger than a square inch are not allowed,
- Tribes with facial tattoos are usually not allowed during screening,
- Sexist or racist tattoos are prohibited,
- Face and neck tattoos are banned,
- Tattoos on the arm, legs, and other visible areas are not allowed
These guidelines are still subject to screening committees’ decisions during interviews. Government security agencies reserve the right to refuse employment to persons who sport tattoos, regardless of stated guidelines.
Government Jobs That May Allow Tattoos
Workers in the government banking system (Reserve Bank of India, State Bank of India, etc.) may feature hidden tattoos without restrictions. Also, members of Indian Railways, Engineering Services, and other non-security agencies may allow workers with tattoos.
Final Word
There are several reasons why government jobs don’t allow tattoos in India. It is best to avoid rejections during interviews by not having tattoos on your body before or after applying to government jobs.