Honorary Doctorates for Sale? A Call to Uphold the Integrity of Academic Recognition in India

What once symbolized academic excellence and societal contribution is now being reduced to a price tag. Honorary doctorates—meant to be a mark of distinction—are increasingly being sold in India through email, WhatsApp messages, and social media advertisements. With prices ranging from ₹15,000 to over ₹1,20,000, these so-called "honours" are becoming commercial products, raising grave ethical and legal concerns.

The University of Cuneo, Italy, reportedly offers an honorary doctorate for ₹50,000, with an additional ₹70,000 charged for attending a conferment ceremony. These degrees are not recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India, yet are marketed aggressively to entrepreneurs, school and college owners, and social media influencers. This growing malpractice undermines the very essence of academic recognition and dilutes the prestige associated with genuine honorary doctorates.

The Original Purpose of Honorary Degrees

An honorary doctorate is traditionally awarded by reputable universities to individuals who have made significant contributions to society, science, literature, public service, or other distinguished fields. It is not conferred for academic achievements alone, but as a recognition of excellence, often over a lifetime of service.

Examples include:

• Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate in Economics, awarded honorary degrees by global institutions for his contributions to development economics.
• Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, honoured by over 40 universities worldwide for his contributions to science and public service.

In these cases, no money exchanged hands. The recipients earned the honour by their life’s work, not by scanning a QR code for payment.

Honorary Degrees for Sale: A Misuse of Academic Symbols

A DT Next report titled “Honorary Doctorates Up for Grabs at ₹15,000–₹45,000” highlights how institutions—many without even basic accreditation—are selling these degrees in bulk. Some even offer "combo packages" that include trophies, gowns, and pre-written citations.

In India, such degrees are often misused to:

• Boost social media profiles.
• Gain unwarranted respect or authority in professional settings.
• Mislead students and followers into believing the recipient holds formal academic qualifications.

This commercialization of academic honour has serious implications:

• Public deception: Individuals with no credible academic or professional background masquerade as "doctors."
• Reputation damage: It tarnishes the image of genuine scholars who spend years earning their doctorates.
• Exploitation of young professionals: Start-up founders, educators, and influencers are often lured with the promise of instant prestige.

The Legal and Regulatory Vacuum

The University Grants Commission (UGC) regulates the conferment of degrees in India under the UGC Act, 1956. According to the Act:

“No institution other than a university established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a Provincial Act, or a State Act shall be entitled to award degrees.”

This includes honorary degrees. However, the Act is silent on the specific regulation of honorary doctorates, allowing dubious private entities and foreign "universities" with no local standing to exploit this grey area.

Moreover, many of these organizations claim foreign affiliations or use similar-sounding names to real institutions, making it difficult for the public to distinguish legitimate honours from scams.

Recent Controversy: Politicians and Fake Degrees

A recent case involves Jharkhand Minority Affairs Minister Hafizul Hasan, who is reported to have received a doctorate from a fake university with alleged links to Pakistani networks. This incident drew public attention not only due to the politician’s high-profile status but also because of growing concerns over national security and misuse of academic platforms for soft influence operations.

When individuals in public life obtain such degrees, it raises pressing questions:

• Was there a background check?
• Was public trust compromised?
• What precedent does this set for the youth?

The Ethical Dilemma: Where’s the Honour in Buying Honour?

To call a purchased degree "honorary" is a contradiction in itself. Honour, by its very nature, must be earned—through work, sacrifice, or impact—not bought. By putting a price on prestige, these unethical providers are not just committing fraud—they’re mocking the foundational ideals of education and intellectual integrity.

Some institutions even include post-nominal titles like “Dr.” in their certificates, which recipients then use to promote themselves in public. This practice is misleading and often violates professional ethics, especially when used in healthcare, education, and law.

Time for Reform: What Can Be Done?

1. Stricter UGC Guidelines
   The UGC must frame clear regulations on the issuance, recognition, and misuse of honorary doctorates—both domestic and foreign. Only UGC-approved institutions should be allowed to confer such degrees.

2. Public Awareness Campaigns
   The government and educational institutions must raise awareness that such "online doctorates for sale" have no legal or academic value.

3. Verification Portal
   A public portal listing all UGC-recognized universities and honorary degrees issued annually could allow employers and the public to verify credentials.

4. Penal Action
   Entities selling fake degrees should be investigated under Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and IT Act, especially if they mislead consumers.

5. Media and Academia Responsibility
   Educators, influencers, and platforms must refrain from glorifying or normalizing purchased honours.

Conclusion

The sale of honorary doctorates undermines the credibility of India's education system.

When anyone can become a "doctor" for ₹50,000, the real cost is paid by the society—through diminished trust, academic erosion, and ethical decay.

It’s time to draw a clear line between earned respect and purchased prestige. In a knowledge-driven society, there should be no honour without merit.

Sources:

• DT Next. (2024). Honorary Doctorates Up for Grabs at ₹15,000–₹45,000. Link
• UGC Act, 1956
• The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023
• Various online sources tracking fraudulent education entities