DIA finds 128 fake certificates in probe of 973 edn institutions

The Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA) has detected 128 fake certificates and widespread financial irregularities in its probe of 973 educational institutions across the country, recommending recovery of nearly Tk89.82 crore in favour of the state treasury.
According to an official notice, the inspection, audit and investigation drive began in July 2025 and concluded in December the same year. The list of the inspected institutions has already been published on the DIA website.
The investigation identified six major categories of irregularities, including forged and fake certificates, unacceptable academic credentials, fraudulent recruitment, fund embezzlement, and VAT and income tax-related financial anomalies.
Although the official notice did not specify the number of fake certificates, DIA Deputy Director Prof Sahanul Kabir told the Daily Sun that certificates of 128 individuals were newly confirmed as fake during the latest six-month investigation, most of which were linked to National Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) credentials.
He added that around 100 certificates were found to be unacceptable, mainly issued by institutions whose academic approval had been suspended, including Royal University. Previously, investigations had identified approximately 676 and nearly 300 fake certificates in earlier two phases.
Due to tax-related violations and other financial irregularities, the directorate has recommended recovery of nearly Tk90 crore from the institutions concerned, Sahanul said.
Officials said the highest number of fake certificates was detected in the Rajshahi division, where more than 700 cases had earlier been reported. In the latest findings, another 70 fake certificate holders were identified in the region.
Copies of the investigation reports have been forwarded to the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, Directorate of Madrasah Education, and Directorate of Technical Education, according to the notice.

The reports were also sent through the government’s D-Nothi system to the respective education boards and district education offices. Where necessary, copies were emailed to the registrars of the National University and the Islamic Arabic University.
Various investigation reports on fake certificate holders in educational institutions are regularly published.
When asked why effective measures are not being taken to stop the practice, the DIA Director Prof MM Shohidul Islam said, “We will submit the report to the Ministry of Education to take strict action.”