sonasingh_abab@yahoo.co.in

—

## 🔎 Notable Major IELTS Scams

### **Gujarat IELTS scam (2022)**

* In this case, police in Mehsana (Gujarat) unearthed a large racket in which aspirants paid large sums — reportedly around ₹14 lakh each — to obtain high IELTS band‑score certificates without legitimately qualifying. ([The Times of India][1])
* As many as ~950 people from Gujarat were suspected of fraudulently securing high IELTS scores under this scheme in a single year. ([The Times of India][1])
* The scheme involved collusion between human smugglers, exam‑centre staff, and aspirants. Exam administrators reportedly turned off CCTV cameras during the exam, substitute candidates gave the test in place of the real aspirants, and fake certificates were issued. ([The Times of India][2])
* Because of this, the authorities booked 45 people (including coaching‑class owners, educational‑firm heads, supervisors, and students) under various charges (forgery, cheating, criminal conspiracy). ([The Times of India][3])

This scandal is massive in both scale (hundreds of people) and potential impact (fraudulent immigration, damage to institutions’ credibility). Many consider it the single biggest-known “IELTS scam.”

### **Fake IELTS certificate scam (2010, Gujarat)**

* A decade earlier, police arrested 10 people in Gujarat for issuing fake IELTS certificates. According to reports, the racket had issued around 110 fake certificates and collected between ₹4–5 crore. ([The Indian Express][4])
* The fraudsters created a dummy version of the IELTS portal, and issued fake certificates after charging candidates fees ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh depending on financial status. ([The Indian Express][4])
* It was detected when a candidate’s application at a foreign university was rejected — his IELTS certificate was found to be fake. ([The Indian Express][4])

Though smaller in scale than the 2022 scandal, this older scam was significant for its audacity: faking official IELTS certificates using a dummy portal and orchestrating a black‑market trade.

### Broader Historical Context: Fake certificates & paper‑leak rackets

* As early as the mid‑2000s, there were reports of “fake English competency certificates” being used by students from Asian countries to enroll in foreign universities. Fake or forged certificates (including IELTS) were reportedly sold on black markets. ([Times Higher Education (THE)][5])
* More recently (2025), a major exam‑paper leak racket was uncovered in Dhaka (Bangladesh), with arrests made after leaked IELTS papers were sold to students before the test — leading to fraudulent high scores. ([The Finance Today][6])

These underline that cheating and fraud around IELTS have been systemic and global, not limited to one country or decade.

—

## 🧮 Why the 2022 Gujarat Scam Often Ranks as “Greatest”

| Factor | What Made It Huge |
| ——————————– | ————————————————————————————————————————– |
| **Scale** | ~950 suspected fake‑score aspirants — far more than earlier scams. |
| **Monetary magnitude** | Each aspirant reportedly paid ~₹14 lakh; with hundreds involved, total money exchanged was high. |
| **Complex orchestration** | Involved human smugglers, exam‑centre insiders, substitute test‑takers, fake certificates, CCTV manipulation. |
| **Cross-border implications** | Affected immigration to US/Canada — some caught crossing border illegally; certificate misuse for visas/admissions abroad. |
| **Exposure and legal crackdown** | 45 people booked, including organizers, centre‑owners, staff — large‑scale investigation by police. |

Because of all these factors combined, many media and legal observers consider this the most consequential IELTS scam to date — effectively undermining the credibility of IELTS exam results for a large group.

—

## ⚠️ Broader Significance & What It Means for Students

* These scams hurt not just individuals, but the integrity of international education and immigration systems. When fraudulent results come to light (or are suspected), authorities in destination countries often tighten verification checks or distrust legitimate applicants.
* Aspirants who genuinely worked hard — especially from countries with high competition — are unfairly impacted, as overall trust in English‑proficiency certificates erodes.
* Legal consequences are serious: in Gujarat case, those involved were booked for forgery, cheating, criminal conspiracy — showing that it’s not a harmless scam, but a serious crime.

—

* [The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/ielts-scam-hc-directs-jmfc-court-to-decide-closure-report-afresh/articleshow/122671894.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

[1]: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/950-from-gujarat-used-fake-ielts-scores-to-move-to-us-canada/articleshow/93308617.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Ielts: 950 From Gujarat Used Fake Ielts Scores To Move To Us, Canada | Ahmedabad News – Times of India”
[2]: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/gujarat-45-booked-three-arrested-in-ielts-scam/articleshow/94014244.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Ielts: Gujarat: 45 booked, three arrested in IELTS scam | Ahmedabad News – Times of India”
[3]: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/gujarat-cops-unearth-ielts-exam-racket-coaching-class-owner-education-firm-ceo-among-45-booked/articleshow/94015851.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Gujarat cops unearth IELTS exam racket, coaching class owner, education firm CEO among 45 booked – Times of India”
[4]: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/fake-ielts-certificate-scam-exposed-10-held/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Fake IELTS certificate scam exposed,10 held | Ahmedabad News – The Indian Express”
[5]: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/trade-in-fake-papers-soars/196461.article?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Trade in fake papers soars | Times Higher Education (THE)”
[6]: https://www.thefinancetoday.net/article/national/29400/Massive-IELTS-exam-paper-leak-racket-uncovered?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Massive IELTS exam paper leak racket uncovered | National | FT | The National Financial Portal”

Are English language and Mother tongue competing our lives?

In many ways, English and one’s mother tongue (or native language) *can* compete in people’s lives, especially in a globalized world where English is often seen as the dominant language for business, technology, education, and even entertainment. This competition can create both opportunities and challenges, depending on the context and the individual’s situation.

### **How English and Mother Tongue Might Compete:**

1. **Language Shift and Identity:**

* In many communities, there’s a shift toward using English in daily life, sometimes at the expense of the mother tongue. This can lead to a gradual loss of native languages, especially in younger generations who may be more exposed to English through school, media, or the internet.
* When children learn English as their second language, they may begin to prioritize it, often because it feels more “global” or “useful” for career opportunities. This can sometimes lead to the diminishing importance of the mother tongue, especially if it’s not being actively spoken at home or in the community.
* On the flip side, for some people, their native language is a key part of their identity, culture, and sense of belonging. Losing or neglecting their mother tongue could feel like losing a connection to their heritage and family history.

2. **Bilingualism and Cognitive Load:**

* On a practical level, speaking both English and a mother tongue (especially in bilingual or multilingual societies) means constantly switching between languages. This “code-switching” can be mentally demanding, especially in fast-paced conversations or academic settings.
* Some people feel that they must choose one language for certain contexts (e.g., speaking English at work and the mother tongue at home) which can create a kind of internal conflict or pressure to “perform” in both languages.

3. **Language Learning and Skill Development:**

* Learning English can be seen as an economic advantage in many parts of the world, as it’s the language of international business, science, and technology. As a result, many students spend a lot of time learning English, sometimes at the expense of developing strong skills in their native language.
* In some cases, this can lead to “English dominance,” where people become fluent in English but lose proficiency in their first language over time, especially if English is used predominantly in school, work, or digital spaces.

4. **Social and Cultural Expectations:**

* In some societies, speaking English well is often associated with status, intelligence, or modernity. This can make individuals feel like they need to prioritize English, even if it comes at the cost of their cultural language.
* There can also be social pressure to “fit in” by adopting English in social media, education, or professional settings. This creates a situation where the mother tongue may be relegated to more informal or private spaces (like home or among close friends), while English takes precedence in public life.

### **Balancing Both Languages:**

While English and a mother tongue can sometimes “compete” for space in people’s lives, it’s possible to strike a balance between the two:

* **Language Preservation:** Many people actively work to preserve their mother tongue by teaching it to their children, using it in daily conversations, or even engaging in cultural activities that promote its use.
* **Bilingual Education:** In many parts of the world, bilingual education programs are designed to help students maintain fluency in both languages. This allows them to participate in global opportunities while also staying connected to their roots.
* **Cultural Celebrations:** In a world where English is dominant in the media, people often turn to music, literature, traditions, and festivals in their native language to keep it alive. This reinforces the importance of the mother tongue as a cultural asset, not just a means of communication.

### **English as a Global Connector:**

It’s also worth noting that English, while seen as a “global” language, is not necessarily replacing mother tongues everywhere. In fact, it often serves as a bridge language that enables people from different linguistic backgrounds to communicate with each other. Many people are multilingual, using English in one context (e.g., work or travel) and their mother tongue in another (e.g., at home or in their local community).

So, in a sense, English and a mother tongue don’t have to be in competition; they can coexist in ways that enrich a person’s life. The challenge is ensuring that both languages are valued and nurtured, rather than one being overshadowed by the other.

Do Students learn English from Social Media?