452 guest lecturers get notices over suspected fake PhDs

The issue of guest lecturers claiming to have PhD degrees last year but not this year is a carryover from the previous year. | Photo Credit: FImage for representation. On suspicion of having obtained fake PhD degrees, the Department of Collegiate Education has issued notices to 452 guest lecturers selected for government first-grade colleges for the year 2026-27.These guest lecturers had earlier been selected and served in colleges after declaring, during their online application process for the 2025-26 academic year, that they possessed the PhD qualification prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC).However, while verifying the educational qualification details submitted in their online applications for the 2026-27 academic year, the department observed that they had not claimed to possess a PhD.The department has instructed principals of the respective colleges to obtain written statements or explanations from the candidates concerned, along with necessary documents, within seven days.Further, the guest faculty have been warned that if they fail to submit a suitable explanation and supporting documents within seven days, it will be assumed that they have no explanation to offer, and disciplinary action will be initiated against them in accordance with the rules based on available records.Carryover from last year The issue of guest lecturers claiming to have PhD degrees last year but not this year is a carryover from the previous year.Around 10,000 guest lecturers were appointed to Government First Grade Colleges across the State for 2025-26. The selection process involved online counselling based on details provided by candidates in their applications, and principals were asked to obtain marks cards and authenticity reports.During the verification process, it was found that 249 individuals had submitted fake PhD degrees and 39 had submitted fake MPhil degrees. These candidates were barred from all future selection processes, and action was initiated to file criminal cases against them. However, around 70 of them obtained court stays. The department has excluded the others from the counselling process for 2026-27.However, several candidates holding fake PhD degrees appear to have slipped through the cracks during college-level verification last year. Many of those who have secured guest faculty positions for 2026-27 seem to have refrained from claiming PhD degrees this year as they did previously, fearing repercussions, a senior official said.“This is a serious issue. There is something amiss if a candidate claimed to have a PhD last year to secure a guest faculty position and has not made that claim this year, especially after we initiated action against those caught submitting fake PhD certificates last year. If the suspects fail to provide a satisfactory explanation along with the necessary documentation, the matter will be brought to the government’s attention and legal action will be taken against those found guilty,” said Gopalakrishna H.N., Commissioner, Department of Collegiate Education. Published - September 17, 2026 07:58 pm IST