452 guest lecturers get notices over suspected fake PhDs

The Department of Collegiate Education has issued notices to 452 guest lecturers selected for government first-grade colleges for the 2026-27 academic year, suspected of having obtained fake PhD degrees. These individuals had previously been selected and served in colleges after declaring possession of a PhD during their online application process for the 2025-26 academic year.

Upon verifying the educational qualification details submitted for the 2026-27 academic year, it was discovered that the candidates had not claimed to possess a PhD. The department has instructed college principals to obtain written statements or explanations and necessary documents from the candidates within seven days. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

This issue arises from candidates claiming to have PhD degrees in previous years but not in the current year, leading to concerns about the integrity of the selection process.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Hindu's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.