Introduction
The word “honorary” evokes a sense of pride. It signifies recognition without examination, acknowledgment without a formal course—something earned not through study, but through service. But in recent years, especially in the age of digital universities, a question has started circulating: If someone pays a processing fee for an honorary degree, is that unethical?
For many, the answer is shaped by old perceptions—that anything involving money and recognition must be suspect. But India is changing. So are its institutions. The real question is not whether a fee exists—but whether the intent, transparency, and structure of the recognition process are ethically sound.
Let’s look at this more closely—and with a fresh perspective rooted in modern Indian realities.
Understanding the Fee: What Are You Really Paying For?
First, it’s important to clarify one key fact: in most credible digital universities, people are not paying to be honoured. They are paying to support the process of recognition.
A digital honorary doctorate involves careful evaluation, proper documentation, citation writing, certificate production, virtual convocation hosting, and verification. All of this requires a team of professionals, tech infrastructure, and a formal system. These services come with a cost—just like any other structured academic process.
So, when someone pays a one-time processing charge, they’re not buying the degree. They are contributing to the mechanism that makes dignified and documented recognition possible. That is not unethical—it is practical.
Honor Is Earned, Not Bought
Critics often argue that “real honour should be free.” But this oversimplifies the issue. In reality, the honour comes from the person’s life work, not the platform. No amount of money can create decades of community service, innovation, or cultural contribution. A paid fee does not manufacture achievement—it simply supports the platform that identifies and celebrates it.
Think of it like this: when a person is invited to receive a Padma award from the President of India, they travel at their own expense, wear their own attire, and often even bear incidental costs. Yet the recognition itself remains honourable—because it is about the impact, not the cost.
Transparency Makes All the Difference
What separates ethical recognition from unethical claims is transparency. A credible digital university will always:
- Clearly state that the degree is honorary, not academic
- Be upfront about any fees and what they cover
- Use structured nominations and verifiable documentation
- Conduct dignified ceremonies with citations, not just emails
- Provide secure, traceable certificates with digital verification
When all this is followed, the presence of a fee does not diminish the value. It shows that the institution takes the process seriously and professionally. In fact, institutions that claim to offer “free” honorary degrees often skip these important steps—which may reduce the credibility of the honour itself.
Making Recognition More Accessible, Not Less
Ironically, structured digital platforms that charge a reasonable processing fee are actually more inclusive. In the past, honorary degrees were limited to people with high visibility, powerful contacts, or government connections. But today, digital universities have opened the doors to rural educators, tribal leaders, social activists, folk artists, and self-taught innovators.
The fee makes it scalable. It helps institutions process thousands of stories across India without discrimination. It also ensures that deserving people—regardless of fame—can be honoured through a platform that reaches their home, their family, and their community.
India’s Culture of Contribution Deserves Platforms That Work
From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, India is full of people who have worked in silence for decades. These are not celebrities or CEOs. They are teachers, caretakers, language preservers, and peacebuilders. They do not need honorary degrees to validate their worth—but when offered one, it lifts their family, their village, and their visibility.
If a structured fee helps bring that honour to their door, what exactly is unethical about that? Should the lack of budget stop a digital university from acknowledging someone’s lifelong work? Or is it more ethical to charge a modest amount, maintain dignity, and include those who’ve always been left out?
Respect Comes from Intent, Not Cost
Whether a recognition happens in a grand convocation hall or a simple digital ceremony, whether it is free or fee-based—its honour lies in sincerity. As long as the recognition is rooted in truth, transparency, and process, it remains dignified.
And in today’s India, where thousands of unsung heroes deserve to be seen, the presence of a processing fee should not overshadow the value of their journey.
Conclusion
Not all paid recognitions are unethical—and not all free ones are meaningful. The real test lies in how the recognition is earned, how the institution conducts itself, and how the process is experienced by the recipient.
Digital honorary degrees are helping India move toward a culture where honour is no longer confined to gatekeepers. They are helping build systems that recognise real lives, real work, and real change.
And if such a system requires a fee to sustain itself honestly and respectfully, then perhaps it’s time to accept that not everything paid is corrupt—and not everything free is pure.