UGC Releases List Of Fake Universities: The UGC has identified 22 fake universities in India as of October 2025, warning students that degrees from these institutions are invalid for academic or professional purposes.
These unrecognized institutions operate without legal authorization under the UGC Act, 1956, and often use misleading names to deceive aspirants. Delhi tops the list with the highest number of such entities, followed by Uttar Pradesh and other states.
Overview of Fake Universities in India
- The University Grants Commission (UGC) regularly updates its list of fake universities to safeguard students from fraudulent institutions that issue unauthorized degrees.
- These entities are not established under any Central or State Act and lack recognition under Sections 2(f) or 3 of the UGC Act, rendering their certifications invalid.
- As of October 2025, the UGC has notified 22 such institutions across eight states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Puducherry, Kerala, and Karnataka.
- Students are strongly advised to verify a university’s recognition status on the official UGC website before enrolling to avoid academic and career setbacks.
State-Wise List of Fake Universities
- The UGC maintains a state-wise list to help students identify unauthorized institutions in their regions.
- Delhi leads with 12 fake universities, including the Institute of Management and Engineering in Kotla Mubarakpur and the United Nations University in Pitampura.
- Uttar Pradesh follows with four, such as Mahamaya Technical University in Noida and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University in Aligarh.
- Andhra Pradesh has two—Christ New Testament Deemed University and Bible Open University of India—while West Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Puducherry each have one or two.
- These institutions often use names resembling legitimate ones to create confusion and attract admissions.
Implications of Enrolling in Fake Universities
- Degrees earned from fake universities hold no academic or professional value and cannot be used for higher education or job applications.
- Regulatory bodies, government departments, and private employers do not recognize qualifications from these institutions. Moreover, individuals found using such degrees may face legal consequences for misrepresentation.
- The UGC has repeatedly urged students to cross-check university status through its official portal or the Ministry of Education’s website to ensure legitimacy.
- Awareness campaigns and public notifications are part of ongoing efforts to curb the spread of these fraudulent entities.
How to Verify University Authenticity
- To confirm a university’s legitimacy, students should consult the UGC’s official list of recognized institutions available on ugc.ac.in.
- The website provides separate lists for universities established under Acts of Parliament or State Legislatures and those granted deemed university status.
- Additionally, the Ministry of Education’s portal (https://www.education.gov.in) offers a comprehensive database of approved institutions offering regular, open, and distance learning programs.
- Students can also contact the UGC helpline or visit regional offices for verification support.
UGC’s Approved Institutions for 2025–26
- In contrast to fake universities, the UGC has approved 101 universities and 20 Category-I institutions to offer open and distance learning (ODL) programs for the academic year 2025–26, starting July–August.
- These institutions meet strict quality and infrastructure standards, ensuring credible education delivery.
- The approval list includes well-known central and state universities, reinforcing the importance of choosing only recognized bodies for academic pursuits.
- This initiative aims to provide flexible learning options while maintaining educational integrity.
Overview Table
| Serial No | State | Fake University Name |
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | Christ New Testament Deemed University |
| 2 | Andhra Pradesh | Bible Open University of India |
| 3 | Delhi | All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPHS) State Government University |
| 4 | Delhi | Commercial University Ltd., Daryaganj |
| 5 | Delhi | United Nations University, Delhi |
| 6 | Delhi | Vocational University, Delhi |
| 7 | Delhi | ADR-Centric Juridical University |
| 8 | Delhi | Indian Institute of Science and Engineering, New Delhi |
| 9 | Delhi | Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment |
| 10 | Delhi | Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University) |
| 11 | Delhi | World Peace of United Nations University (WPUNU) |
| 12 | Delhi | Institute of Management and Engineering |
| 13 | Kerala | International Islamic University of Prophetic Medicine (IIUPM) |
| 14 | Kerala | St. John’s University, Kishanattam |
| 15 | Maharashtra | Raja Arabic University, Nagpur |
| 16 | Puducherry | Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education |
| 17 | Uttar Pradesh | Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag |
| 18 | Uttar Pradesh | Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University) |
| 19 | Uttar Pradesh | Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad |
| 20 | Uttar Pradesh | Mahamaya Technical University, Noida |
| 21 | West Bengal | Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, Kolkata |
| 22 | West Bengal | Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research |
FAQs for UGC Releases List Of Fake Universities
What is the total number of fake universities listed by UGC in 2025?
22
Which state has the highest number of fake universities?
Delhi
Are degrees from fake universities valid?
No
Where can students verify a university’s authenticity?
UGC website
When did UGC approve ODL programs for 2025–26?
July–August