452 guest lecturers get notices over suspected fake PhDs

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.