Private University Regulatory Commission Begins Probe Into Alleged Fake PhD Degree of Durg University Registrar Bhupendra Kuldeep

May 23, 2026 : The Private University Regulatory Commission has initiated an inquiry into allegations regarding a fake PhD degree held by the Registrar of Durg University. Acting on a complaint filed by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the Commission has constituted a three-member committee comprising Commission Academic Member Dr. Vyas Dubey, Administrative Member Dr. S.K. Gupta, and retired Ravi Shankar University professor Dr. M.L. Nayak.

The Commission has issued a letter directing the complainants to appear before the inquiry committee with all supporting documents. In a joint statement, SFI Raipur district president Garv Gabhane, district secretary Harsh Sanghani, and Gaurav Gupta alleged that the Regulatory Commission itself is a party to the controversy.

SFI questioned how Bharti University was permitted to award PhD degrees immediately after its establishment. The student organization alleged that the university received approval for PhD programmes along with its establishment notification, whereas other universities generally require a minimum period of three years before awarding their first degree.

The organization also objected to the Commission’s procedure, claiming that the accused Registrar was not directed to appear with original documents, while the complainants were asked through WhatsApp communication to submit all records before the committee.

SFI further stated that several key issues raised in its complaint are not being investigated. These include whether the PhD supervisor fulfilled eligibility criteria, whether Bhupendra Kuldeep obtained prior government permission to pursue a PhD while serving as a government employee, whether mandatory coursework was completed, and whether UGC regulations relating to research publications and academic procedures were followed.

The organization also questioned whether the supervisor, Lumeshwari Sahu, was a regular faculty member of Bharti University as required under UGC norms.

SFI alleged that the role of the Private University Regulatory Commission itself appears suspicious. Bharti University was established in 2021 and allegedly received approval to conduct PhD programmes within a year without demonstrating the academic maturity, faculty strength, and research infrastructure required under Regulation 12.

The student body further pointed out that Bhupendra Kuldeep had applied for permission to pursue a PhD in 2019, despite Bharti University not being in existence at that time. According to SFI, the Higher Education Department granted permission on October 19, 2022, while PhD registration had already been completed on October 1, 2022. Another notification reportedly records the registration date as October 14, 2022, which was also prior to official permission and allegedly violated Regulation 13(2).

SFI stated that it would oppose what it termed a “sham inquiry” and announced that no party worker would appear before the committee unless the Regulatory Commission publicly releases Bharti University’s PhD statutes and clarifies under which rules and by whose approval the university was allowed to award degrees immediately after establishment.