UGC asks all universities to verify educational certificates for central govt jobs free of cost
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all Central, State, deemed and private universities, along with other higher education institutions (HEIs), to undertake free-of-cost verification of the genuineness of educational certificates for recruitments to Central Government posts whenever such requests are made by Ministries, Departments or other Central Government organisations.
In an official communication dated January 22, 2026, the UGC said verification of educational qualifications—along with other prescribed checks—is a mandatory prerequisite for confirmation of officers appointed to government service, making it essential to ensure the authenticity of candidates’ credentials.
Background: UGC’s earlier warning in 2024
The Commission said the latest advisory is a continuation of its earlier communication dated May 30, 2024, issued in the context of verification of educational documents of newly recruited Assistant Section Officers (Direct Recruit ASOs/DRASOs) selected through the Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGLE) conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC).
In the 2024 letter, the UGC pointed to “several instances” where educational institutions allegedly demanded fees for verifying the certificates of newly recruited ASOs, and reiterated that such verification should be treated as the obligation of every educational institute, including private and deemed universities, without charging any amount.
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What the 2026 communication says
Reiterating the policy, the UGC in its January 2026 letter stated that the scope of free verification is not limited to SSC recruitments. Instead, it applies to all recruitments to Central Government posts, regardless of the recruiting agency, whenever a formal request is raised by a Central Government body.
Why it matters
The directive is aimed at strengthening due diligence in government hiring and preventing delays in confirmation of newly appointed officers due to verification bottlenecks. By insisting on free verification, the Commission also seeks to reduce the financial burden on candidates and curb inconsistent practices across institutions.
