Jharkhand Cracks Down on Medical Admission Scams
In a bid to curb the menace of fake certificates and ensure a transparent admission process, the Jharkhand government has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for medical, dental, and AYUSH colleges. The move is aimed at making the admissions through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG and NEET-PG) more foolproof.
A Zero-Tolerance Policy for Fake Certificates
According to an official note issued by the Department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, any candidate found using forged or incorrect certificates will face immediate cancellation of admission and criminal proceedings, including the registration of an FIR. The government has made it clear that it will not tolerate any form of malpractice in the admission process.
Online Verification to Strengthen Scrutiny
Under the revised system, domicile, caste, income, and disability certificates submitted by applicants will undergo online verification. If necessary, physical verification will also be conducted. To strengthen scrutiny, the Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (JCECEB) has constituted high-level verification committees for each course.
High-Level Committees for Enhanced Scrutiny
The committees will comprise admission in-charges from RIMS and government medical colleges, representatives of the Health Department, and special officers of the examination board. Separate committees have been formed for MBBS, MD, and MS admissions, as well as for BDS, MDS, and Ayush courses.
Institution-Level Committees for Added Security
In addition to state-level checks, institution-level committees have been established at RIMS Ranchi and other medical colleges. These panels, headed by the director, principal, or dean, will re-examine the original documents submitted by candidates.
The Verification Process
The SOP stipulates that caste, income, domicile, and disability certificates will be verified through designated government online portals. If any document is found suspicious during digital verification, the case will be referred to the district Deputy Commissioner concerned for physical verification. District authorities will be required to submit their reports within 10 working days.
Provisional Admission and Final Confirmation
Until the verification process is completed, such candidates will be granted only provisional admission. Final admission will be confirmed only after all credentials are authenticated.
Strict Action Against Institutions
The government has further clarified that if any certificate is found to be forged during the verification process, the principal of the institution concerned will immediately cancel the admission and initiate legal action by filing an FIR.
Secure Preservation of Documents
The SOP also mandates the secure preservation of all digital and physical documents submitted during admission, enabling future re-verification whenever required.
Implementation Across Jharkhand
The new guidelines will apply to RIMS Ranchi and all government and private medical, dental, homoeopathic, ayurvedic, and Unani colleges across Jharkhand. The government’s move is expected to bring much-needed transparency and accountability to the medical admission process in the state.