The issue of verification of educational certificates of appointed teachers in Bihar has once again come to the forefront. Folders related to the certificates of 68,379 appointed teachers in the state have not yet been received by the Vigilance Investigation Bureau. This situation pertains to teachers appointed between 2006 and 2015 through Panchayats and urban local bodies, whose educational and training certificates cannot be verified by the respective boards and universities.

The Vigilance Investigation Bureau has written to the Education Department, urging action regarding the non-availability of these folders. This development has increased uncertainty over the jobs of these teachers. According to available data, a total of 3,52,927 appointed teachers were recruited in Bihar based on marks. The Vigilance Bureau had requested folders from District Education Officers and District Program Officers for the verification of these teachers' certificates.

By December last year, the Vigilance Bureau had received folders for only 2,83,278 teachers, leaving 69,649 folders pending. Despite repeated instructions, only an additional 1,270 folders reached the Vigilance Bureau over approximately 10 months. Thus, as of October 2026, folders for 68,379 teachers are still missing, hindering the verification process of their certificates.

The Vigilance Bureau first obtains teachers' folders and then verifies the certificates with the issuing institutions. This process is stalled due to the lack of folders. It is now up to the Education Department to decide what further steps will be taken in these cases. However, the mere non-receipt of folders cannot be considered proof of fake certificates, and further action will depend on departmental decisions.

At the district level, Siwan has the highest number of pending folders, with 7,686 teachers. This is followed by Nawada (4,895), Supaul (4,467), Bhojpur (4,402), and Araria (4,331). Even in the capital Patna, folders for 3,567 teachers have not been provided. On the other hand, districts like Arwal, Bettiah, Katihar, Kishanganj, Madhepura, and Sitamarhi have no pending folders.

The Vigilance Bureau has verified approximately 8.50 lakh certificates for 2,84,548 out of 3,52,927 teachers, involving 378 boards and universities in Bihar and other states, including institutions in Nepal. The pending status of thousands of teachers' folders raises serious questions about Bihar's teacher recruitment process and documentary oversight. The Education Department's action in the coming days will determine the future course of this matter.