Patna: The Bihar Education Department is preparing to terminate the services of teachers found guilty in the ongoing vigilance probe into irregularities in the recruitment of contractual teachers between 2006 and 2015. Officials have also indicated that criminal action, including imprisonment, may follow as the investigation reaches a decisive stage.
The probe conducted by the Vigilance Investigation Bureau has uncovered large-scale fraud in teacher appointments across the state. According to officials, Nalanda district recorded the highest number of cases, with 165 FIRs registered. Madhubani ranked second with 145 cases, while Araria reported the lowest number with only four FIRs.
Investigators say the scam was not limited to a few districts. The inquiry has revealed irregularities in teacher appointments in every district of Bihar. So far, a total of 1,748 FIRs have been registered, naming 2,953 teachers as accused. The list of these teachers has been sent to the Education Department for further action.
Authorities estimate that the teachers appointed using fraudulent documents collectively received around Rs 1,400 crore in salaries and honorariums during their tenure. The department is now preparing to recover the amount and initiate disciplinary proceedings. Officials said termination of service and criminal prosecution are likely in confirmed cases.
The fraud came to light after a petition was filed in the Patna High Court by Ranjit Pandit, who raised concerns about irregularities in the recruitment process. Acting on the court’s directive, the Vigilance Investigation Bureau began an extensive inquiry.
Between 2006 and 2015, nearly 3.5 lakh contractual teachers were appointed across Bihar. During the investigation, which has been underway since 2015, around eight lakh certificates and academic documents have been scrutinized. The probe, which continued until February 2026 and is still ongoing, involved verification of degrees from 42 universities in Bihar and 14 universities outside the state.
Investigators identified several methods used in the alleged fraud. These included submission of degrees from unrecognized institutions, certificates from private universities without approval from the University Grants Commission, and the use of duplicate mark sheets and academic documents.
In some cases, individuals allegedly pasted their photographs on documents issued in the name of other candidates using different roll numbers. Authorities also found instances where the same academic degree was used to secure teaching jobs in multiple districts.
Officials said further legal action will depend on the outcome of the ongoing verification process, but the department is preparing for strict measures against those found guilty in what is being described as one of the largest recruitment frauds in the state’s education sector.
