By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a wider scrutiny of certificates used to claim benefits under all reserved categories during the state’s centralised NEET-UG 2026 counselling, following complaints of forged documents being used to secure admission.
Acting on the Chief Minister’s directions, certificates of eight candidates found to have been involved in the alleged irregularities have so far been cancelled, along with their admission process, the state government said.
The Chief Minister has now directed officials to verify certificates submitted by candidates seeking benefits under all reserved categories. He said strict action would be taken against those found using forged or fabricated certificates after verification.
Dhami had directed officials to conduct a transparent investigation soon after the initial complaint concerning the use of forged certificates during the NEET-UG 2026 state counselling. The district administration subsequently conducted an inquiry, following which the certificates of eight candidates were cancelled.
The government said investigations are also underway into the possibility that some other candidates may have used fabricated certificates while claiming benefits under different reserved categories.
“Admission through forged certificates is as serious an offence as cheating,” Dhami said, adding that the government would not allow deserving candidates to suffer because of fraudulent claims.
He directed officials to ensure that every certificate under the reserved-category system is properly verified and that strict action is taken against anyone found guilty. Action will also be taken against those involved in the process of issuing forged certificates, the government said.
The Chief Minister said the government had already taken stringent measures against cheating in recruitment examinations through the state’s anti-copying law and would similarly act against fraudulent use of certificates.
“The government will not allow deserving candidates to suffer at any level,” Dhami said.
The Chief Minister’s latest directions expand the ongoing inquiry beyond the initial cases and cover certificates submitted under all reserved categories in the NEET-UG 2026 counselling process.