In the media

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi removed and terminated education department officials over irregularities in scholarship distribution in 2012-13. An investigation revealed that funds were misappropriated using false identities, and an inspector was demoted for unlawfully retaining uniform funds and diverting financial aid into various accounts.

In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, weak political will, poor learning outcomes, and a teacher shortage drive students to cheat during exams. In 2023, British universities flagged 7,300 undergraduate applications for plagiarism, including 765 from India. AI tools now enable sophisticated plagiarism, complicating detection. The article advocates leveraging AI’s potential and rethinking assessments to align with technological advancements rather than banning its use outright.

India’s entrance test system for jobs and professional courses fuels intense competition and corruption. The limited availability of seats for medical courses drives a booming coaching industry and immense pressure on students—30% report mental health issues. Rising unemployment (37% in June 2024) and declining youth economic participation (37%) further expose flaws in the centralized education system, with private schooling contributing to inequality.

A recent Institute for East European Studies study highlights the significant threat hijacked journals pose to scientific integrity. The research reveals that papers in these journals exhibit extremely high levels of plagiarism, with 66% of the sample containing plagiarized content. Most of these papers come from authors in developing countries, suggesting that weaker ethical norms and research practices contribute to the problem.

West Bengal Minister of Education called for a probe into alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test 2024. According to the minister, cheating in exams must be punished and stressed the need for accountability to safeguard the future of medical students.

India’s education sector has emerged as an early adopter of blockchain technology to enhance its efficiency and address longstanding challenges. In India, academic records have historically been vulnerable to fraud, with certificate forgery growing into a billion-dollar industry. Blockchain technology offers a solution by creating a transparent and secure system for safeguarding data. Since its implementation, nearly 1 million digital diploma certificates spanning eight academic years have been issued using blockchain standards, setting a new benchmark for security and transparency.

The Indian government has introduced the Anti-Cheating in Public Examinations Bill to combat rampant academic dishonesty and preserve the integrity of the education system. The Bill proposes strict measures such as increased surveillance, stricter rules for invigilators and severe penalties for cheating such as 10 years' imprisonment and a of ₹1 crore for those involved in exam malpractice. Additionally, the bill aims to establish a national technical committee to enhance exam security and fairness.

The incidence of plagiarism in personal statements submitted by students for British university applications has doubled in the last two years, with India having the highest number of such cases among international applicants. According to a spokesperson from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, 7,300 applications were flagged for plagiarism in 2023, with 765 from India, compared to 3,559 flagged in 2021.

The Higher Education Department in Bhubaneswar has discovered several colleges admitting students for the 2023-24 academic session without valid recognition, violating the Odisha Education Act of 1969. Despite the provision of temporary recognition for a cumulative duration of seven years, these colleges continue to operate without proper authorization. The Department has directed regional directors of education to compile a comprehensive list of such institutions. Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, the Education Department has successfully improved attendance in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas through the use of face-recognition technology, addressing issues of ghost students and proxy teachers.

The Bihar Police Constable Exam's written test faced cancellation due to extensive cheating practices observed among numerous candidates. Reports indicated the use of devices, cheating materials, handwritten sheets, and other illicit methods for copying answers. An organized group was found to be behind these actions, casting doubts on the examination's fairness and integrity. Authorities are conducting a detailed investigation into the matter, and fresh exam dates will be released subsequently.