NEET UG 2025 admissions hit as UP probe finds 64 fake certificates

The NEET UG 2025 counselling process in Uttar Pradesh has been hit by a major controversy after an investigation exposed large-scale misuse of the two percent freedom fighter quota in MBBS admissions.

Uttar Pradesh offers 4,442 MBBS seats, of which 88 are reserved for dependents of freedom fighters. This year, 79 seats were allotted under the quota and 71 students joined medical colleges.

However, a case from Firozabad triggered a probe after one certificate was found to be fake.

The inquiry, led by the Agra district magistrate, revealed a network of forged certificates. Further verification by district magistrates across 10 districts confirmed that 64 certificates used in NEET UG 2025 admissions were fraudulent.

• Meerut reported 15 fake certificates

• Saharanpur and Ballia reported 12 each

• Bhadohi and Ghazipur found 9 each

• Varanasi confirmed 3

• Ghaziabad 2

• Agra and Bulandshahr 1 each

• Following the findings, the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) cancelled all admissions obtained through fake freedom fighter certificates.

  Director-General of Medical Education Kinjal Singh has ordered FIRs against the students involved and extended the probe to NEET UG 2024 admissions as well.

  The controversy highlights a systemic challenge in verifying reservation claims in competitive exams.

  For medical aspirants, the cancellation of 64 MBBS seats means genuine candidates were unfairly denied opportunities.

  For institutions, the fraud disrupts counselling rounds and damages the credibility of the admission process.

  Experts warn that such incidents add to the reputation crisis of Indian medical education.

  With thousands of Indian students opting for MBBS abroad in countries like the US, UK, Russia, and Ukraine, cases of fake certificates undermine global trust in India’s system of medical admissions.

  What started with a single case in Firozabad has now exposed a statewide fraud in NEET UG 2025 admissions, showing the issue is not isolated but deeply systemic.

  Unless addressed firmly, it risks eroding public trust in both reservation policies and Indian medical education.