Uttarakhand MBBS Seat Fraud: SIT Arrests 2 Over Alleged Fake Certificates, Colleges Ordered to Verify Documents

The investigation into alleged irregularities in Uttarakhand MBBS admissions has intensified, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arresting two people in connection with the alleged use of fake freedom fighter-dependent and domicile certificates to secure medical seats.

The development has also prompted the Uttarakhand Medical Education Department to direct all 10 government and private medical colleges participating in state NEET-UG counselling to verify documents submitted by candidates who claimed category or sub-category benefits.

Two Arrests in MBBS Admission Case

According to the report, the Uttarakhand Police SIT has arrested two people in connection with the alleged submission of fraudulent certificates during the MBBS admission process.

The arrested individuals reportedly include the owner of an educational consultancy firm in Meerut and the father of a NEET aspirant from Haridwar district. These are the first arrests reported in the investigation.

The SIT, headed by SP (Rural-1) Jaya Baloni, has seized documents related to the investigation. Two FIRs were registered on September 13 at the Raipur and Clement Town police stations under Sections 318(4), 338 and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Four MBBS Admissions Already Cancelled

The case came to light after allegations that candidates had used fake documents to obtain seats under the Freedom Fighters' Dependants quota.

Earlier, the Uttarakhand Medical Education Department cancelled the MBBS admissions of four female students after certificates submitted under the quota were found to be fraudulent during verification.

Verification Ordered Across 10 Medical Colleges

Following the allegations, the Medical Education Department has directed principals of all 10 government and private medical colleges participating in Uttarakhand's counselling process to verify documents submitted by candidates who claimed any category or sub-category benefit.

The direction comes after the completion of the second round of NEET-UG counselling. Around 300 additional candidates secured MBBS seats in Round 2, taking the total number of students admitted through the first two rounds to 784, according to the report.

The first two rounds were conducted between August 13 and September 19.

Probe Expanded to Other Reserved Categories

The investigation is no longer limited to freedom fighter-dependent certificates.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered verification of documents submitted across other reserved categories as well, following allegations involving permanent residence and other reservation-related certificates.

A list of around 350 candidates was also submitted to the state medical education minister seeking detailed verification. However, the person who submitted the list clarified that the names on it should not be treated as proof that all the candidates had submitted fraudulent documents; the list was presented for official verification based on alleged discrepancies.

Impact on NEET-UG Counselling

The document verification process could affect the next stage of Uttarakhand's MBBS counselling.

According to the report, the third round of counselling is linked to completion of verification of state-quota documents. Seats that become vacant because of cancelled admissions may subsequently be included in the next round.

Students should therefore rely on the latest official seat matrix and counselling notices rather than assuming that the seat position from an earlier round will remain unchanged.

Government Signals Stricter Document Verification

The case has also brought attention to the process through which domicile, reservation and sub-category certificates are issued and verified.

The state government has indicated that candidates found to have used fraudulent certificates could face cancellation of their admission as well as legal action. The investigation is also examining how such certificates were issued and accepted during the admission process.

Two revenue sub-inspectors were also suspended on September 23 amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged forged certificates, according to Hindustan Times.

What NEET Candidates Should Know

Candidates applying under any reservation or special category in Uttarakhand should ensure that their documents are genuine, valid and issued by the competent authority.

Important documents may include:

• Domicile/permanent residence certificate
• Category certificate
• Sub-category certificate
• Freedom fighter-dependent certificate, where applicable
• NEET-related documents
• Other certificates required under state counselling rules

Conclusion

The Uttarakhand MBBS admission controversy has entered a new phase with two arrests by the SIT and a wider document verification exercise across the state's participating medical colleges. Earlier, four MBBS admissions had already been cancelled after certificates submitted under the Freedom Fighters' Dependants quota were found to be fraudulent.

With verification now being extended to candidates claiming benefits under other categories, the process could influence upcoming counselling rounds and the availability of seats. NEET-UG candidates should closely follow official Uttarakhand counselling updates and ensure that all documents submitted for category or quota benefits are authentic and verifiable.