In the wake of media reports about certain universities facilitating the sale of fake degrees, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) on Thursday ordered University Grants Commission (UGC) to immediately put together a High-Level Committee to inquire into allegations.
The Ministry has given three weeks to the Committee to identify such institutions and individuals that adopted illegal practices so that strict action shall be taken against them.
“In response to media reports, the Human Resource Development Ministry has ordered UGC to immediately constitute a high-level committee to enquire into allegations regarding sale of fake degrees by certain universities (sic),” a tweet from the MHRD said.
In response to media reports, the Human Resource Development Ministry has ordered UGC to immediately constitute a high level committee to enquire into the allegations regarding sale of fake degrees by certain universities. @PMOIndia @DrRPNishank @subrahyd @ugc_india
— Ministry of HRD (@HRDMinistry) August 29, 2019
In June this year itself, Students Federation of India (SFI) had raised this concern with MHRD and asked for measures to curb “mushrooming growth of fake higher degree holders.” It is a serious matter and is an “insult to the entire research community” of the country, the student body shared in the note with the Ministry.
The organization cited various such instances of ‘paid doctoral degrees’ and how such nuisance will lead to a downfall of the quality and credibility of research activities and higher education in the country.
“Lack of stringent actions curbing of the award of fake Ph.D degrees is in another way questioning and nullifying the genuine effort of scholars who work hard for a better part of their life,” the letter said.
