MBBS Admission Scam: Irregularities in NEET counselling; 778 admissions under scrutiny..
NEET UG 2026 Admission Scam: The scope of the investigation into medical college admissions via NEET UG 2026 in Uttarakhand has expanded significantly. Documents of 778 candidates who secured admission to MBBS and BDS courses by availing reservation benefits under the state quota will now be scrutinized. These include candidates belonging to categories such as SC/ST, OBC, EWS, and dependents of freedom fighters. This move follows reports of admissions obtained through alleged fake certificates during NEET UG counseling.
Following a stern stance taken by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Subodh Uniyal, the original documents of these candidates have been sent to their respective districts for verification. HNB Medical Education University has released a list of 1,112 candidates who secured provisional admission and opted for the 'float' option during the first and second rounds. Of these, 778 secured admission to MBBS/BDS courses by availing benefits under various reserved categories within the state quota.
**Verification of 778 Candidates' Documents**
The list released by HNB Medical Education University comprises 1,112 candidates who obtained provisional admission and chose the 'float' option in the first two rounds. According to the university's Controller of Examinations, Prof. Vijay Juyal, 778 of these candidates availed reservation benefits under the state quota. The district administration will now verify the original certificates of these candidates. The investigation will assess whether the certificates and other documents related to the reserved categories under which admission was secured are valid and compliant with the rules. The state government has not limited the investigation to any single reserved category; following complaints regarding fake certificates, directives have been issued for a comprehensive probe into documents submitted under all reserved categories.
**Matter Originated with a List of 370 Suspicious Candidates**
The issue gained significant momentum when social activist Pradeep Bahuguna submitted a list of approximately 370 suspicious candidates to Health and Medical Education Minister Subodh Uniyal. He had demanded a verification of various documents—including permanent residence certificates—submitted by these candidates. Bahuguna argued that discrepancies found in available records and admission-related information necessitated an official inquiry. He did not claim that *all* certificates on the list were forged; rather, he emphasized the need for an investigation. Subsequently, orders were issued for a probe at the district level. The matter originated when questions were raised regarding certain certificates submitted under the 'freedom fighter dependent' quota. The investigation revealed that some certificates were indeed forged, leading to the cancellation of the associated admissions. The government has now expanded the scope of the inquiry to include certificates from other reserved categories as well.
**Investigation into Forged Certificates in the Freedom Fighter Quota**
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the police has become active following the emergence of a case involving MBBS admissions secured through allegedly forged certificates under the freedom fighter dependent quota. The Dehradun Police SIT is investigating the matter, tracing the entire chain of events—from the source of the forged certificates to their actual use. According to a report published in *Hindustan*, an SIT led by SP Jaya Baloni visited Haridwar Medical College from Dehradun. There, all educational and reservation-related documents about a female student—who had secured admission based on the merit list—were seized and sealed. The team also questioned college officials and examined the documents submitted at the time of admission. It has been confirmed that fraudulent admissions occurred in some instances under the freedom fighter quota, and the SIT's investigation is ongoing. Further legal action may follow based on the findings of the probe.
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