diff --git a/backend/config.py b/backend/config.py
index 692ecdc..18417ad 100644
--- a/backend/config.py
+++ b/backend/config.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ DB_NAME: str = "educonnect"
 DEFAULT_PROFILE_FILE: str = "defaultUserBanner.png"
 DEFAULT_COURSE_COVER: str = "defaultCourseCover.png"
 DEFAULT_BADGE_ICON: str = "defaultBadgeIcon.png"
+DISABLE_PASSWORD_SANITY_CHECKS: bool = True
 
 PROJECT_ROOT: os.path = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
 USER_UPLOADS_DIR: str = os.path.join(PROJECT_ROOT, "uploads")
diff --git a/backend/utils/auth.py b/backend/utils/auth.py
index 24db859..f28b5f9 100644
--- a/backend/utils/auth.py
+++ b/backend/utils/auth.py
@@ -1,9 +1,14 @@
 from functools import wraps
 from flask import request, jsonify
-from sqlalchemy import select
+from sqlalchemy import select, and_
 from ..db.model import User, Session, db
+from ..constants import UserRole
+from typing import Union
 
-def requires_role(roles=[]):
+def requires_role(roles: Union[None, UserRole] = None):
+    if roles is None:
+        roles = [UserRole.USER]
+    roles = [int(r) for r in roles]
     def decorator(f):
         @wraps(f)
         def decorated_function(*args, **kwargs):
@@ -14,26 +19,19 @@ def requires_role(roles=[]):
                 session_key = auth_header.split(' ')[1]
             except IndexError:
                 return jsonify({'error': 'Invalid authorization header format'}), 401
-
-            session = db.session.execute(
-
-            )
+            session: Session = db.session.execute(
+                select(User).where(and_(Session.key == session_key, Session.isValid == True))
+            ).scalar()
             if not session:
                 return jsonify({'error': 'Invalid or expired session'}), 401
-            user = User.query.get(session.userID)
+            user = session.user
             if not user:
-                return jsonify({'error': 'User not found'}), 401
-
+                return jsonify({'error': 'User not found for the Access token'}), 401
             # If no roles specified, allow access
             if not roles:
                 return f(*args, **kwargs)
-
-            # Check if user has any of the required roles
             if user.role in roles:
                 return f(*args, **kwargs)
-
-            return jsonify({'error': 'Insufficient permissions'}), 403
-
+            return jsonify({'error': 'Not authorized'}), 403
         return decorated_function
-
     return decorator
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/backend/utils/utils.py b/backend/utils/utils.py
index f0fbc82..70b23ad 100644
--- a/backend/utils/utils.py
+++ b/backend/utils/utils.py
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ import hashlib
 import  random
 import os
 from PyPDF2 import PdfReader
+from config import *
+import re
 
 FILE_NAME = 'manjil.pdf'
 FILE_PATH = os.path.join(os.getcwd(), FILE_NAME)
@@ -24,4 +26,40 @@ def read_pdf_human_readable(file_path: str) -> list[str]:
             pdf_page_text_contents.append(text.strip())
     return pdf_page_text_contents
 
+def is_valid_email(email):
+    pattern = r'^[a-zA-Z0-9_.+-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9-]+\.[a-zA-Z0-9-.]+$'
+    if re.match(pattern, email):
+        return True
+    else:
+        return False
+    
+def password_check(passwd: str) -> bool:
+    if DISABLE_PASSWORD_SANITY_CHECKS:
+        return True
+    special_symbol_pattern = r'[$@#%]'
+    upper_case_pattern = r'[A-Z]'
+    lower_case_pattern = r'[a-z]'
+    digit_pattern = r'[0-9]'
+    
+    if len(passwd) < 6:
+        raise InsecurePasswordException('Password length should be at least 6 characters.')
+    elif len(passwd) > 20:
+        raise InsecurePasswordException('Password length should not be greater than 20 characters.')
 
+    if not re.search(digit_pattern, passwd):
+        raise InsecurePasswordException('Password should have at least one numeral.')
+
+    if not re.search(upper_case_pattern, passwd):
+        raise InsecurePasswordException('Password should have at least one uppercase letter.')
+
+    if not re.search(lower_case_pattern, passwd):
+        raise InsecurePasswordException('Password should have at least one lowercase letter.')
+
+    if not re.search(special_symbol_pattern, passwd):
+        raise InsecurePasswordException('Password should have at least one of the symbols $@#%.')
+
+    return True
+
+
+class InsecurePasswordException(Exception):
+    pass