Pay ₹30K for Class 10 Certificate, ₹40K for Class 12 Science: Agents Guarantee 100% Pass

You may have heard about the NEET scam, but the mockery of the education system is not just limited to major exams, it’s happening in Standard 10 and 12 exams as well. There is an open market for fake certificates, with school administrators, exam observers, and government officials working together to facilitate it. The prices for certificates are fixed too—₹30,000 for a Standard 10 certificate, ₹40,000 for a Science stream in Standard 12, and ₹35,000 for Arts and Commerce results. You can take the exam from home using a laptop, with no one to stop or question you. Just pay the money, and your certificate will be delivered to your home. Additionally, nursing, B.Sc., and X-ray assistant certificates are also being issued. This scam is prevalent in rural areas of Himmatnagar, Palanpur, Kheda, Anand, Dakor, and Jamnagar. Private schools and coaching institutes in these areas are even advertising a 100% pass guarantee.

Investigation Reveals the Corrupt System Behind Fake Certificates

During an investigation by Divya Bhaskar, administrators and agents openly claimed, “Just tell us what you want to become and how many marks you need, and we’ll prepare the marksheet accordingly.” Upon further probing, it was found that all these institutes claim to pass students in Standard 10 and 12 exams through NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling). While NIOS charges ₹5,000-₹6,000 for Standard 10 or 12 exams, these centers charge anywhere from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh, guaranteeing a 100% pass rate. The fee is determined based on the child’s needs and financial situation. Additionally, they also offer new marksheets for students who failed Standard 12, particularly for nursing and government job applications, with marks between 60% to 70%.

Guaranteed Pass Scheme in Open Market for Students

Divya Bhaskar contacted one such agent, and the center staff immediately asked to send a WhatsApp message. In the message, the center operator detailed the fees—₹30,000 for Standard 10, ₹40,000 for Standard 12 Science, and ₹35,000 for Arts and Commerce. When asked about the guarantee of passing, the operator confidently stated, “100% guaranteed.”

Hundreds of Students Passed from One Center Without Failing

Divya Bhaskar collected information about more than 300 students from one such study center. The center claimed that none of their students ever fail. This claim turned out to be true. Upon reviewing the results of 10 random students from the 300, it was found that all had passed, and their marks were almost identical.

NIOS Denies Responsibility for Guaranteed Passing

Divya Bhaskar sent an email to the chairman of NIOS, and in response, L.N. Rastogi, the section officer of NIOS’s evaluation department, stated that NIOS does not guarantee passing. “We can teach and help students with their studies, but passing is up to them,” he said.

Numerous Students Enrolled Through a Single Account

Somesh Vadhiya stated that he was unaware of the exact fee charged by the board. The center operator informed him of the fee, which he paid in cash. The reason for the cash payment is that the center directly deposits the fee with the board on their behalf.

The Commercialization of Efforts to Bring Dropout Students Back to School

The government initiated a campaign through the National Institute of Open Schooling to allow rural children and school dropouts to take direct exams in Standard 10 and 12. The goal was to encourage children to return to education. However, this noble purpose has now turned into a profit-making venture for education mafias. – Dr. Ashok Patel, Educationist

A Drastic Mark Increase Within Two Months Through NIOS

Divya Bhaskar inquired about admissions with a school administrator and asked for proof of passing rates. The center operator showed a report of a student who had scored 21 in Science and Technology and 20 in Mathematics in the April 2023 Gujarat Board exams, failing in four subjects. However, the same student scored 60 in Mathematics and 65 in Science in the October 2023 NIOS exams.