UGC Flags 32 Fake Universities Across India, Warns Students Against Taking Admission
The University Grants Commission UGC has identified 32 fake universities operating across 12 states in India, issuing a fresh warning to students and parents to remain alert while choosing higher education institutions. The number of such unauthorised institutions has increased significantly over the past two years, rising from 20 earlier to 32 now, highlighting a growing challenge in regulating fraudulent education providers.
According to the commission, these institutions are not recognised under the UGC Act and therefore do not have the legal authority to award degrees. Any qualification obtained from such universities is considered invalid for employment, higher studies, or government recruitment.
New States Added to Fake University List
UGC’s latest update shows that four new states have reported fake universities:
- Haryana
- Rajasthan
- Jharkhand
- Arunachal Pradesh
Each of these states has at least one institution now flagged as operating without approval. The commission also issued a specific caution regarding an institute in Bengaluru functioning under the name Global Human Peace University, clarifying that it is not authorised to operate as a university.
Delhi Tops the List With Highest Number
Delhi has emerged as the state with the largest concentration of fake universities, accounting for 12 institutions alone. Some of the names identified include:
- All India Institute of Public and Physical Health Sciences
- Commercial University Limited
- United Nations University
- Vishwakarma Open University for Self-Employment
- Institute of Management and Engineering
Officials noted that some of these institutions are located surprisingly close to regulatory offices, raising serious concerns about monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
Other States Where Fake Institutions Are Operating
Apart from Delhi, fake universities have also been detected in:
- Uttar Pradesh
- Kerala
- Maharashtra
- West Bengal
- Puducherry
- Andhra Pradesh
- Karnataka
In Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, multiple institutions were found operating under misleading names. Examples include Gandhi Hindi Vidyapeeth in Prayag and the Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine.
Meanwhile, Magic and Art University in Faridabad Haryana and Daksha University in Ranchi Jharkhand have also been included in the list of unauthorised institutions.
How These Institutions Mislead Students
UGC has observed that fake universities often attract students through:
- Promises of quick or guaranteed degrees
- Low fee structures compared to recognised institutions
- Flexible or distance learning options without approval
- Claims of foreign collaborations or international recognition
Many of these institutions lack proper infrastructure, qualified faculty, or academic standards, yet market themselves aggressively through advertisements and online platforms.
Education experts say such tactics particularly target students from smaller towns who may not be aware of verification processes.
Growing Trend of “International-Looking” Fake Universities
A worrying development noted by regulators is that some fraudulent institutions now present themselves as foreign universities or globally affiliated centres, making it harder for students to distinguish genuine institutions from fake ones.
By using impressive names, international terminology, and professional websites, these organisations create a false sense of credibility while operating outside the legal education framework.
Serious Consequences for Students
UGC has stressed that degrees issued by fake universities:
- Are not recognised for government jobs
- Cannot be used for higher education admissions
- May lead to rejection during document verification
- Can permanently affect a student’s career prospects
Students enrolled in such institutions often realise the fraud only after completing their course, leaving them with invalid qualifications and financial losses.
UGC Issues Strong Advisory Ahead of Admission Season
With the academic admission cycle approaching, the commission has urged students and parents to verify the recognition status of universities before applying. UGC regularly publishes and updates the list of approved and fake institutions to ensure transparency.
The commission emphasised that awareness remains the strongest defence against such fraudulent entities, which continue to evolve and target unsuspecting learners across the country.
How Students Can Stay Safe
UGC has advised students to follow these precautions before taking admission:
- Check whether the university is recognised by UGC
- Verify accreditation and statutory approvals
- Avoid institutions offering unrealistic promises
- Confirm physical campus and academic facilities
- Rely only on official government sources for validation
A Continuing Challenge for Higher Education Regulation
Despite repeated alerts and public notices, fake universities continue to operate in different regions, raising questions about enforcement and legal action. Authorities say stronger awareness campaigns and stricter monitoring are needed to prevent such institutions from exploiting students.
As India’s higher education system expands, ensuring authenticity and protecting students from academic fraud remains a key priority for regulators.
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