Rampant fake degree scandals in India trigger global backlash, countries tighten visa scrutiny
Islamabad: India’s education sector is facing a severe crisis as a growing number of fake degree scandals have raised serious concerns internationally.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a major case was uncovered at Manav Bharti University (MBU) in Himachal Pradesh, where between 2009 and 2020, the university issued a staggering 41,000 degrees, 36,000 of which were later found to be fraudulent. The fake degrees were sold for sums ranging from 1 to 3 lakh rupees each, creating a lucrative market for counterfeit qualifications.
The scandal came to light in 2020 after an anonymous tip was sent to the University Grants Commission (UGC). The chairman of the university’s operating trust, Raj Kumar Rana, was found to be involved in this massive corruption scheme, revealing severe flaws in the UGC’s oversight system.
Recently, in Kerala, police seized over 100,000 fake degrees from 22 universities, shedding light on the alarming scope of the issue. Indian media reported that the authorities arrested 11 individuals involved in producing counterfeit degrees, which were being used to secure jobs in fields like medicine, nursing, and engineering. These fake qualifications were sold for between 75,000 and 150,000 rupees each.
As these scandals continue to unfold in India, countries around the world have begun to take a tougher stance on Indian student visa applications. Australia has expressed concerns over the growing number of fake degree scandals in India, leading to heightened scrutiny on Indian student visa applications. Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower specifically probed 15 MBU degree holders on work permits, while Malaysia, the US, and Canada questioned hundreds of graduates, leading employers to demand re-verification and revoke jobs. Nepal encountered visa denials for officials holding such credentials, amplifying diplomatic strains.
In June, last year, the Indian Supreme Court revealed that approximately 8,000 fake certificates had been issued by Agra University in Uttar Pradesh. Historical cases like Vyapam in Madhya Pradesh (exposed around 2015) saw over 2,000 arrests and mysterious deaths tied to rigged medical admissions. India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached properties worth Rs 5.8 crore (as of January 10, 2025) in related fake degree probes, yet UGC’s annual fake university listsfail to stem the tide.
From MBU’s 11-year operation (2009-2020) to ongoing rackets in Hyderabad, Surat, and Goa, India’s fake degree epidemic—potentially over 1 million fraudulent credentials by early 2026—undermines merit-based hiring worldwide, turning “Hindustan” into “Fakeistan” in the eyes of nations like Australia, Singapore, and beyond.
