False: Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi cleared his Ph.D. entrance test only after Panjab University reduced the passing marks for SC/ST students.

By: Rashmi S
September 28 2021

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There is no evidence that Charanjit Singh Channi passed his Ph.D. entrance exam.Since 2017, social media posts have claimed that Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi initially failed his Ph.D. entrance exam to Panjab University but later cleared it as the university changed its policies. The qualifying percentage for S.C. and S.T. candidates has remained between 35-40 percent. However, there is no evidence that the Chief Minister of Punjab passed his Ph.D. entrance exam. According to the Punjab Legislative Assembly, Channi's qualification is B.A., L.L.B., and M.B.A. According to Panjab University, candidates must have a Master's degree from their university or another university accredited by the Academic Council to qualify for the Ph. D. entrance exam. A 55 percent score for a general candidate and a 50 percent score for S.C., S.T., and O.B.C. candidates is required. According to Hindustan Times, Channi failed the Panjab University Ph.D. entrance exam and advocated decreasing the 50 percent bar to 40 percent for S.C. and S.T. candidates to clear the initial admission.