The chief minister serves as the departmental minister for the department, whereas the Additional Chief Secretary (Home)—an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer—acts as the administrative head of the department.

The Department of Home and Confidential is mainly responsible for making decisions regarding the peace of the state and enforcement of law and policy related to the functioning of the Uttar Pradesh Police, by preparing its budget and—subject to approval from the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly—releasing funds to it.

The department answers questions related to law and order in the legislative assembly and the legislative council; addresses the issues related to the affairs of the Uttar Pradesh Human Rights Commission and the National Human Rights Commission.

The department also coordinates with the Ministry of Home Affairs in matters related police and law and order.

[3][4] The department also has an attached office in Uttar Pradesh Police Housing Corporation, which acts an autonomous organisation and was set up to accomplish the housing and building requirements of Uttar Pradesh Police.