OPJS University barred from offering admissions over fake degrees: UGC

NEW DELHI : The Rajasthan government has banned new admissions to the Churu-based Om-Prakash Jogender Singh (OPJS) University for the academic session 2024-25, informed the University Grants Commission (UGC). The degrees offered by the university in the last three years are also under review, it said.

“As per the letter from the Department of Higher Education, Government of Rajasthan, it is hereby notified to the general public that the Government of Rajasthan has imposed a ban on new admissions to OPJS University, Churu, Rajasthan for the academic session 2024-25. Additionally, as per the information, the degrees issued by the university in the past three sessions are currently under review by the state government. This public notice is issued for the information of students and stakeholders,” the UGC iterated in an official notice.

In December 2023, the commission barred the university from enrolling PhD students over violation of the prescribed format for offering the programme, and cautioned students and parents against taking admissions. UGC had formed a standing committee to check whether universities are following the process for awarding degrees in accordance with the UGC regulations . In the first phase, 14 universities were asked to submit the information about PhD degrees awarded during the year 2018 in a format prescribed by the committee.

“It has been observed that inspite of repeated requests and a show-cause notice, OPJS University (Private University), Rawatsar Kunjla, Near Sankhu Fort, Rajgarh (Sadulpur), Jhunjunu Road, Churu, Rajasthan -331303 neither provided the required information nor attended the meeting. This non-adherence by the University has been viewed very seriously by the UGC. Accordingly, it has been decided to debar the University from enrolling scholars under its PhD programmes with immediate effect till such time the UGC clears the University to offer such programmes,” said the commission.

“Prospective students and parents are hereby advised not to take admission in the Ph.D. programme offered by the OPJS University from now onwards. In the absence of UGC approval, Ph.D. awarded by the University shall not be treated recognized/valid for the purpose of higher education and employment,” it added.

Fake admissions, certificates, courses

In July last year, the university’s founder and former registrar along with another partner were reportedly arrested in connection with issuance of fake degrees. A police investigation found that the OPJS University was founded in 2013. Jitendra Yadav served as the registrar from 2015 to 2020 while Sarita Kaswara held the position of registrar from 2013 to 2015 and of chairperson from 2015 to 2020, as per a Times of India report.

Backdated certificates, fake admissions, non-recognised courses, degrees for non-accredited courses were reportedly found during the probe. Several government officials allegedly secured jobs by showing forged certificates issued by the university, the probe reportedly unearthed.