Can My Employer Keep My Degree Certificate? Seeking Advice on Document Retention Policy

Hello Everyone, I am working in an organization in Ahmedabad. I have a query related to my employment. As per their policy, all employees need to submit their degree certificates. Do they have any right to retain these certificates? What can I do if they do not return my original degree certificate? I have an email from the company's HR stating that they will return the documents upon leaving the organization. I want to switch to another organization if I find good opportunities, but due to this degree certificate issue, I am unable to apply. Please reply if you have any solution to this problem.

Thanks in advance.

It is not mandatory to deposit the original certificate with any organization. They only take it for verification.

As others have said, the originals are supposed to be returned to you after verification. Retention with the intention to prevent employees from leaving your company is illegal. You have every right to ask them to return the originals to you. Perhaps you should have provided them with a color photocopy of your originals; this could serve as a replica. I would advise all young individuals to follow this practice. Keep the originals with you and use only the replica for all purposes unless asked otherwise. However, you may apply to obtain duplicates of the originals after following the necessary procedures, even though it may be a time-consuming process.

Retaining the original certificates cannot be termed a policy; it amounts to an abuse.