UPSC Selectees For DGCA Airworthiness Officers Accused Of Submitting Fake Degrees
UPSC Selectees For DGCA Airworthiness Officers Accused Of Submitting Fake Degrees
The aeronautical engineering degree certificates submitted by certain candidates recently selected by the UPSC for the position of airworthiness officers in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have come under scrutiny for alleged fraud. A case filed before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) at the end of April accuses the candidates of obtaining their degrees through fraudulent means.
Six aeronautical engineers, currently serving as airworthiness consultants on a contractual basis with the DGCA, filed the case. They have appealed for the UPSC “impugned result” to be set aside and for the recruitment process to be reconducted. In the interim, they seek a stay on the appointment of the airworthiness officers.
The controversy stems from a UPSC advertisement in June 2023 to fill 80 vacancies for the position of ‘Airworthiness Officer’ in DGCA. The six engineers who filed the case were interviewed but not selected. They allege that the entire recruitment process was marred by irregularities, particularly concerning the qualifications and experience criteria for the position.
The role of a DGCA airworthiness officer includes inspecting aircraft maintenance, investigating major defects, enforcing national air laws and regulations, and reviewing applications for various aircraft-related certifications. Given the technical nature of these duties, the UPSC eligibility criteria require candidates to have a BSc degree in Physics, Mathematics, or Aircraft Maintenance, or an engineering degree in fields such as aeronautical, mechanical, electrical, electronics, or telecommunications from a recognized university. Additionally, candidates should have a valid aircraft maintenance engineer’s license or three years of aircraft maintenance experience in a DGCA-approved organization.
A total of 891 candidates applied for the 80 posts. In February, the UPSC shortlisted 272 candidates for interviews held in March. The CAT case alleges that some of the selected candidates possess aeronautical engineering degrees that would not withstand scrutiny.
The case claims that many selected candidates obtained questionable engineering degrees from institutions like Singhania University, Rajasthan Technical University, and Sun Rise University. It highlights instances where candidates purportedly acquired degrees while being employed full-time in different states and completed their degrees in implausibly short durations without requisite approvals from recognized bodies such as AICTE or UGC.
The applicants emphasize lapses during the document verification process conducted by the UPSC, noting that essential documents like degree mark sheets were not physically verified. This oversight, they argue, casts serious doubts on the authenticity of the qualifications presented by the candidates.
The applicants urge CAT to intervene and direct a thorough investigation into the recruitment process for the position of Airworthiness Officer within the DGCA. They seek accountability, transparency, and adherence to established norms to uphold the integrity of the recruitment process. They specifically call out the action of the respondents for ignoring candidates who obtained degrees from institutions of questionable repute and for failing to physically verify essential documents during the verification process.
The applicants request an interim stay on the appointments and a reconduct of the recruitment process to ensure due diligence and authenticity of the qualifications presented by the candidates.
