The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released an updated list of 22 fake universities and institutions operating across the country without proper recognition. In an official notification, the UGC stated that these institutions are not authorised to confer degrees, and any qualification obtained from them will be considered invalid.
Quoting the UGC Act, the commission clarified that “the right of conferring or granting degrees shall be exercised only by a university established or incorporated by a Central, State, or Provincial Act, or an institution deemed to be a university under Section 3, or one specifically empowered by an Act of Parliament.”
The regulatory body has once again cautioned students and parents to verify the authenticity of higher education institutions before seeking admission. The latest warning comes after the UGC identified fake universities in multiple states, with Delhi accounting for the highest number of unrecognised institutions.
Recently, the UGC flagged the Institute of Management and Training in Delhi and the International Islamic University of Prophetic Medicine in Calicut, Kerala, for operating without approval. It also reiterated that the University of Colombo, which was previously found promoting degree programmes in India, has no authority to offer undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral courses within the country.
According to the UGC’s latest list, Delhi tops with several fake institutions, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Puducherry.
List of Fake Universities Identified by UGC
Delhi
Andhra Pradesh
Kerala
Maharashtra
Puducherry
Uttar Pradesh
West Bengal
The UGC urged students to consult its official website (ugc.gov.in) for a complete list of recognised universities and to avoid institutions operating outside the legal framework. Strict action, it said, would be taken against any entity misusing the term “university” without due authorization.