Introduction
There’s a common assumption floating around — that if someone pays a fee for their honorary degree, the honour somehow becomes less pure or less meaningful. But is that truly the case?
In a world where structure and fairness need resources, it’s time to ask a deeper question: Does a one-time fee really take away from a person’s merit, or does it simply support the system that helps recognise that merit with dignity?
For thousands of grassroots achievers, community builders, and cultural torchbearers, a modest fee is not a stain on their honour — it’s a bridge that made that honour possible.
What Is the Fee Actually For?
First, let’s separate fact from assumption. When digital honorary degrees come with a one-time processing fee, it is not a payment for the title itself. Instead, it supports:
- Verification of contributions and background
- Administrative work involved in nomination and shortlisting
- Creation of formal citations and visual profiles
- Hosting of structured digital convocations
- Designing, printing, and dispatching of official certificates
This is no different from the way examination boards charge for marksheets, or how cultural bodies collect a fee for event participation. The honour is earned — the fee supports the ceremony and structure.
Merit Isn’t Measured by Money
Think about it: Would anyone question a Padma award recipient because they printed a photo frame at their own cost? Would we doubt a village teacher’s decades of service if she paid for a sari to attend a local award ceremony?
Of course not.
So why doubt someone who pays a one-time processing fee to receive a verified honorary doctorate — after being shortlisted for their real-life impact?
Merit comes from the journey, not the logistics. A sincere recognition, backed by verification and community testimony, isn’t weakened by a transparent support fee.
Breaking the Free-Only Mindset
There’s a deep-rooted belief that all honour must come “freely” — that if money is involved, it becomes a transaction. But in reality, the absence of a fee often limits who gets recognised.
Free systems are often:
- Limited in reach and capacity
- Dependent on internal contacts or elite gatekeeping
- Unable to offer inclusive or frequent honours
- At risk of partiality due to lack of transparent funding
In contrast, a structured digital platform funded by modest fees can reach more people, verify more profiles, and host dignified ceremonies at scale. That’s not commercialisation — it’s responsible accessibility.
Real-Life Examples That Break the Myth
Consider these true stories:
- A folk singer from Rajasthan, honoured digitally, paid the processing fee from his savings. His community later celebrated him with garlands and a local media feature.
- A midwife in Assam, recognised for 40 years of rural service, borrowed the fee from her grandson — and now proudly displays her honorary certificate in the village clinic.
- A tribal sculptor from Jharkhand paid after receiving support from a local NGO. His name is now recorded in cultural archives and online news.
Did the fee diminish their honour? Or did it enable it to happen, respectfully and visibly?
Dignity Is in the Process, Not the Price
Dignified recognition comes from:
- A fair and structured selection process
- A citation that reflects real contribution
- A ceremony that involves family and community
- A certificate that is verifiable and meaningful
None of this is compromised by a fee — especially when the fee is used to ensure fairness, prevent misuse, and preserve quality.
What does diminish honour is:
- Unverified or bought titles with no background check
- Fake degrees from untraceable sources
- Instant awards without any process or criteria
This is where the true difference lies. A platform that charges a fee but follows an ethical, transparent process is far more respectable than a so-called free one that skips verification entirely.
The Indian Family Perspective
In Indian homes, when someone is recognised, the emotion runs deep. The family doesn’t ask whether a fee was paid. They ask:
- “Why did they honour you?”
- “What did you do to deserve it?”
- “Can we attend the ceremony online?”
- “Where will you hang the certificate?”
The pride comes from the life story behind the recognition, not from how the event was funded. Paying a small amount for the processing, dispatch, and organisation does not make that pride any less authentic.
Conclusion
The real value of an honorary degree lies in what it recognises, not what it costs. Paying a one-time processing fee does not diminish the honour — it upholds it by supporting a clean, verifiable, and inclusive system.
Let’s stop assuming that money always corrupts. In many cases, it enables dignity to reach those who were left out for far too long.
What truly matters is the heart behind the honour — and the honesty of the system that awards it. If both are in place, a fee is simply a practical tool — not a problem.
So the next time someone asks, “Didn’t you pay for that honorary degree?” — the answer can be calm and proud:
“I paid for the process. The honour? I earned it.”