
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 14: The Punjab government today issued instructions stating that no educational institution will be allowed to retain the original certificates regarding residence, SC/ST and BC from students who are seeking admission. Announcing this today, an official spokesman stated that this practice had been causing harassment to students who often apply in more than one institute for admission.
It has been decided that for an entrance examination, no certificate should be called for in the first instance along with the application form.
The requisite certificate may be obtained only from the selected or waiting list candidates. Attested copies of the certificate can be retained, and the original certificate, if required to be produced at the time of interview, shall be returned to the student immediately.
According to a statement issued by the Government, the instructions come into force with immediate effect and shall be effective even where the admission prospectus has already been printed with different instructions, in case the entrance test is yet to be held or the deadline for submission of forms in not yet over.
Also, a certificate issued in the format and prescribed by government departments shall be accepted as valid. The educational institution shall not insist on a certificate by any particular authority or by the highest authority. Parents can also obtain SC certificates from the head of the institution where the candidate has studied, in case proof is available in the school records.