Maharashtra mandates marksheet verification for college admissions

Maharashtra's government plans to implement new rules for verifying student marksheets during college admissions. This decision comes after a fake marksheet scandal was discovered at KJ Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce in Mumbai. Investigations found that 51 students had used fake documents to gain admission to three junior colleges. Minister of State for School Education, Pankaj Bhoyar, announced the measures on Monday. All colleges will be required to check the credentials of applicants before accepting them. The school education department will also oversee this verification process to prevent fraud. The scandal emerged three months ago when a complaint was filed by the college principal, Dr. Kishan Pawar. After reviewing the admissions, the college reported irregularities that led to police action. Ten people have been arrested, including two clerks who were involved in creating fake marksheets. To improve the verification system, the government is considering a proposal to have education boards publish student marksheets online. This idea was suggested by BJP legislator Yogesh Sagar, who believes it would help eliminate fraud. Bhoyar expressed that the government will look into this suggestion seriously.