A deep-rooted scam involving the alleged manipulation of children’s dates of birth has come to light in Srinagar, sparking outrage among parents and calls for a full-fledged criminal investigation. According to multiple complaints, some hospitals, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) employees, and private school authorities are allegedly colluding to alter birth records, allowing overage children to secure admission in pre-primary classes meant for three-year-olds.

The revelation has shaken parents who discovered that their three-year-old children were being forced to compete and study alongside children appearing nearly double their age. The malpractice, parents say, not only undermines fair competition but also exposes deep administrative corruption within educational and health institutions.
“I was shocked when my three-and-a-half-year-old daughter lost a school race to a classmate who looked almost six,” said a concerned mother said “When I inquired about the child’s actual age, the school authorities remained silent. That’s when I realized something was seriously wrong.”
Another parent shared a similar experience, saying he was stunned to find children between six and ten years old sitting in the same class as his three-year-old child. “This is not just an admission irregularity; it’s a crime. How can such older kids be admitted with falsified documents? Who issued these fake birth certificates? There must be accountability,” he said.
According to parents, several hospitals have allegedly been issuing manipulated birth certificates with backdated entries, while certain SMC employees are suspected of adjusting official records to match the fraudulent documents. Private schools, eager to fill seats and boost enrolment numbers, are said to be turning a blind eye to these discrepancies.
“This is a dangerous precedent,” said an education rights activist, calling for an independent inquiry. “Allowing older children into classes meant for toddlers not only disadvantages genuine students but also violates educational norms, child protection guidelines, and ethics. It’s an organized form of document forgery that must be dealt with firmly.”
Legal experts say that if proven, such actions fall under sections of the Indian Penal Code related to forgery, fraud, and criminal conspiracy. “Manipulating a child’s date of birth for personal or institutional gain is a serious offence that merits immediate prosecution,” said a senior lawyer, adding that both the issuers of fake certificates and the beneficiaries could face legal consequences.
Parents are now urging the Jammu and Kashmir government, the Directorate of School Education, and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation to launch a joint investigation. They are demanding a forensic audit of all birth certificates used for school admissions over the past three years, along with verification of hospital records and municipal entries.
“This is not just about admissions, it’s about fairness, integrity, and the future of our children,” said another parent. “Those responsible must be held accountable, whether they are hospital officials, municipal employees, or school administrators. They must face the law.”
As the outrage grows, civil society members and education watchdogs are pressing for systemic reforms, including digitized verification of birth records, inter-departmental coordination, and strict penalties for tampering with official documents.
The controversy has cast a shadow over Valley’s education system, raising uncomfortable questions about the ease with which official records can be forged and the long-term consequences such practices could have on trust in institutions. Parents say they will continue to raise their voice until justice is served and transparency is restored in the admission process.