Fake Certificate Scandal at Himachal University Sparks Questions on Recruitment
Himachal Pradesh University has been shaken by the arrest of an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Administration, accused of securing his job with a forged Class XII certificate. The case has raised troubling questions about how recruitment and verification processes are handled in higher education.
The professor, appointed in September 2024, came under scrutiny when his documents were sent for authentication earlier this month. Officials at the School Education Board flagged irregularities, and upon re-verification, the certificate was confirmed to be fake. Instead of producing originals, the accused allegedly resubmitted downloaded copies, deepening suspicion.
Registrar Gian Sagar Negi, who filed the complaint, expressed concern over how someone with a fabricated foundational qualification could pursue higher studies and even secure a teaching post at a state university. His remarks have fueled debate about accountability and the gaps in document screening during recruitment.
Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and an investigation is underway. The university has issued a show-cause notice, and the matter will soon go before the Executive Council for termination of the professor’s services.
The incident has sparked wider concern among academics and students alike. If such a forgery could slip through the system, it raises urgent questions about the reliability of background checks and the safeguards meant to protect the integrity of higher education.
