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The Special Operation Group in Uttar Pradesh has uncovered a massive case involving fake Bachelor of Physical Education (B PEd) degrees in connection with the Physical Education Teacher (PTI) Direct Recruitment Examination 2022.
The investigation has revealed that 202 out of 203 appointed candidates used forged mark sheets allegedly issued by JS University, Shikohabad.
SOG ASP Dharmaram Gila led the investigation, which uncovered the fraud using data obtained from the university’s server logs. The probe revealed that while JS University is recognized for only 100 seats per academic session in the B PEd course, a staggering 2,082 candidates applied for government jobs citing degrees from the university. This massive discrepancy triggered a deeper investigation.
The investigation highlighted multiple layers of deceit:
- 25 candidates claimed to have completed their B PEd course from other institutions but submitted JS University mark sheets for verification.
- 26 candidates submitted degrees belonging to sessions that did not align with their claimed academic years.
- 9 individuals provided entirely fake mark sheets.
- 43 candidates submitted degrees from the 2020–2022 academic session, even though the examination was held on September 25, 2022—suggesting post-exam fabrication.
Out of the 203 scrutinised degrees spanning the academic sessions 2017–2019, 2018–2020, 2019–2021, and 2020–2022, only one—belonging to Kulraj Singh, son of Prem Singh—was verified as genuine.
SOG has identified the involvement of brokers in the preparation and distribution of fake mark sheets. Degree printing data retrieved from the JS University server backup confirmed the manipulation.
Authorities are now preparing to file an FIR against the JS University administration and 165 of the implicated candidates. An additional 37 candidates, listed from serial numbers 166 to 202, have already been charged in previous cases for either sending dummy candidates or using fake documents.
In a staggering revelation that exposes deep flaws in recruitment oversight, Uttar Pradesh authorities have uncovered a mass scam involving fraudulent Bachelor of Physical Education (B PEd) degrees. A total of 202 out of 203 candidates—nearly the entire cohort—appointed as Physical Education Teachers (PTIs) in the 2022 direct recruitment drive were found to have used forged mark sheets purportedly from JS University, Shikohabad. Only one candidate, Kulraj Singh (son of Prem Singh), had a genuine document. India Todaynews-age.com
How the Fraud Unfolded
The probe, led by the Special Operation Group (SOG) under ASP Dharmaram Gila, was initiated after suspicious discrepancies surfaced in the university’s server logs. It revealed a glaring mismatch: while JS University is sanctioned for just 100 B PEd seats per academic session, more than 2,082 candidates applied to government teaching posts using its credentials. India Todaynews-age.com
A closer breakdown of the manipulation shows several patterns:
25 candidates claimed affiliation with other institutions but still submitted JS University mark sheets;
26 applicants produced degrees that didn’t correspond with their claimed academic timeline;
9 individuals submitted entirely fabricated documents;
43 candidates presented degrees from the 2020–2022 batch, even though the recruitment exam took place in September 2022—indicating those certificates were likely created after the exam. India Todaynews-age.com
To add to the breach of integrity, evidence shows the active involvement of brokers who fabricated and circulated these forged mark sheets—complete with manipulated server data from JS University to substantiate the fakes. India Todaynews-age.com
Legal Action & Arms of Accountability
The state is not letting this deception slide. FIRs are being filed against the JS University administration and 165 candidates implicated in the scandal. Additionally, an earlier batch—serial numbers 166 to 202 (37 candidates)—had already been charged for submitting fake documents or sending in dummy candidates. The investigation continues, with more steps expected in the coming weeks. India Todaynews-age.com
The Broader Consequences
This scam shines a spotlight on systemic vulnerabilities in recruitment:
Institutional Complicity: Manipulation of university logs suggests potential internal collusion at JS University.
Scale of Dishonesty: The fact that nearly all appointed candidates were involved speaks to an industrial-scale fraud operation.
Lost Public Trust: Such incidents erode faith in government processes, especially in critical sectors like education.
Impact on Students: Real candidates who prepared legitimately were denied fair opportunity—and the resulting teacher appointments are now in question.
Urgent Reforms Needed: Digital records must be secured; university affiliations must be tightly cross-verified; and recruitment processes must incorporate robust validation at every stage.
Lessons and the Road Ahead
This scandal is a sharp reminder of the lengths to which unscrupulous actors will go—and how institutional checks can fail without vigilance. It underscores an urgent need for:
Digital audit trails and tamper-proof logs for academic certificates.
Third-party authentication of degree documents during recruitment.
Strict penalties not only for candidates but also for institutions and intermediaries involved in forgery.
Greater transparency in recruitment processes, including pre-publication of candidate documents and scrutiny.
Summary
The 2022 PTI recruitment drive in Uttar Pradesh has been tainted by one of the most extensive fake-degree scams in recent history. State investigators revealed that almost every candidate appointed used counterfeit JS University credentials, with fraudulent mark sheets backed by manipulated digital records. Legal action is under way against both the university and hundreds of applicants, while the debacle raises urgent concerns about institutional accountability and the integrity of public service recruitment in India.
Next Steps for Awareness or Reform
Policy-makers should push for technological reforms like blockchain-based certificate verification.
Universities must ensure degree issuance processes are auditable and secure.
Recruitment bodies ought to implement rigorous cross-checks before finalizing appointments.
Citizens and media must remain vigilant, demanding transparency and accountability.
Let me know if you’d like to explore how similar scams have played out in other institutions and states—or how digital innovations could help prevent such fraud.
Further investigations are on.
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