Around 400 constables recruited as tradesmen in the Border Security Force (BSF) have been dismissed after the skill certificates they submitted during recruitment were found not to be genuine, according to reports by ThePrint and ETV Bharat.

The recruits were mostly cooks, water carriers and waiters selected in the 2023-24 tradesman recruitment. ThePrint reported that the Ministry of Home Affairs notification of February 2023 for 1,284 tradesman posts introduced a new requirement for these trades: an NSQF Level-1 certificate from the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) or an NSDC-recognised institute.

What the records show

ThePrint reported that the NSDC told the BSF that at least one candidate's certificate, issued in the name of a private skill institute, was not issued by it and was invalid. ETV Bharat reported an NSDC RTI reply stating that no certificate had been generated on the government's SIDH skills portal for the relevant courses between 2015 and 2023.

ThePrint also reported that police in Koderma, Jharkhand, arrested a YouTube instructor in February who allegedly offered online classes and certificates to job aspirants. The FIR reportedly includes cheating, conspiracy and IT Act offences. ThePrint noted that it is not established that this network supplied all the certificates in question.

Veterans seek reinstatement

The Alliance of All Ex-Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association argues that the recruits were deceived by online certificate providers rather than being forgers themselves. Its general secretary, Ranbir Singh, told ETV Bharat the personnel were victims of online fraud. The association has written to the Prime Minister and met senior BSF officers.

ThePrint said it had sought a response from the BSF and had not received one at the time of publication.

Lessons for recruiters and job seekers

The case shows how a new eligibility certificate can create a market for fake ones. Recruiting bodies can reduce the risk by listing approved issuing bodies and verifying every certificate on the official portal before appointment, not years later. Job seekers should check a training provider's accreditation on government skill portals and treat any offer of a certificate after a short online test with suspicion.

Sources

This News Desk report summarises information published by the sources above, written in our own words. Persons named in criminal matters are accused, not convicted, unless a court has ruled otherwise. To report an error, use our contact page.

BSFNSDCSkill certificatesRecruitment fraudRTI

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