Puducherry medical admissions under scrutiny as document forgery scandal unfolds

The Lawspet police have filed cases against 44 students involved in the suspected forgery under Sections 336(3) and 340(2) of the Indian Penal Code, relating to the use of forged documents

Puducherry’s medical admission process is under intense scrutiny following allegations of widespread forgery in applications for the MBBS course under the non-resident Indian (NRI) quota. Reports from student and parent welfare forums suggest that a number of students have submitted falsified documents to secure seats under this quota in four medical institutions, including a government medical college in Puducherry. For the 2024-25 academic year, 130 seats were allocated under the NRI quota across these colleges.

Candidates applying under the NRI quota are required to provide official attestation, including letters from embassies or high commissions confirming NRI sponsorship. Additionally, applicants must submit sworn affidavits verifying a first-degree relationship with their sponsors. However, recent complaints to the Centralized Admission Committee (Centac), the body responsible for managing admissions in the Union Territory, indicate that numerous candidates may have submitted forged documents to bypass these requirements.

An investigation is currently underway to assess the full extent of the issue, with authorities committed to upholding the integrity of the medical admissions process in Puducherry

Centac convener Cheryl Ann Gerardine Shivan responded to these concerns by initiating a detailed document verification process. In her complaint filed at the Lawspet police station, Shivan reported inconsistencies in the signatures of certain consular staff on documents allegedly issued by the Dubai consulate. In response, Centac sent all sponsorship and embassy certificates for validation to the relevant Missions and Posts in the respective countries.

The Missions have now started to verify the authenticity of these documents, with some already confirming that certain certificates are indeed forgeries. Shivan explained that the respective Missions have recommended appropriate legal action for the forged certificates. For cases awaiting further responses, Centac has requested assistance from the Union Ministry of External Affairs, which has promptly engaged the Missions to expedite their replies.

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