UGC Issues Warning on Fake Universities Operating Without Recognition

Students Alerted as UGC Declares 22 Institutions Unauthorised Under the Higher Education Act

In India, higher education is a personal and financial journey for families. Monthly expenditures needed to support academic endeavours involve parents making substantial contributions, sometimes even years in advance. Poor government institution opportunities backed by rising competition, and many go the private university and coaching centre route, an annual expenditure of anywhere between ₹1.5 lakh and ₹4 lakh per student. In some middle-income families, this may go up to one-third of their income.

Moreover, students spend a lot of time preparing for entrance examination challenges alongside schooling, attending coaching in preparation for entrance exams, mock tests, or even career counselling. This far-reaching quest is being jeopardised by countless universities that have sprouted lately and are awarding degrees without any authority. The latest UGC notification lists 22 such institutions as unauthorised and unrecognised under the UGC Act, 1956. The 1956 University Grant Commission Act allows only validly established institutions, either by a Central or State Act, to confer degrees. Any qualification obtained from an unrecognised institution is nullified for further education or a professional career.

Announcing the UGC fake universities signifies GUG's measures to protect students from fraudulent institutions. The Commission further stated that the degrees issued by UGC fake universities have no value legally or academically and must not be accepted by any employer or other educational institution. This latest in the record lists the Institute of Management and Engineering, Kotla Mubarakpur, Delhi. The UGC explained that the institute has not been established by any Central or State legislation and thus doesn't qualify for recognition according to UGC Act provisions. This means that any A-level engineering degree being offered by the institute is invalid for academic or professional purposes.

This announcement has yet again rekindled interest in verifying the credibility of institutions before taking up admissions therein. It also warned students and guardians to refer to the list of UGC-approved universities to ascertain if the institution offers recognised programs, including distance and open learning (ODL) courses.

State-wise Fake University List (as of October 2025)

The state-wise fake university list released by the Commission indicates that Delhi has the most fakes, followed by Uttar Pradesh. The universities listed are:

Delhi

1. All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPHS)

2. Commercial University Ltd., Daryaganj

3. United Nations University

4. Vocational University

5. ADR-Centric Juridical University, Rajendra Place

6. Indian Institute of Science and Engineering

7. Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment, Sanjay Enclave

8. Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University), Rohini

9. World Peace of United Nations University (WPUNU), Pitampura

10. Institute of Management and Engineering, Kotla Mubarakpur

Uttar Pradesh

1. Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag, Allahabad

2. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), Aligarh

3. Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow

4. Mahamaya Technical University, Noida

5. Andhra Pradesh

6. Christ New Testament Deemed University

7. Bible Open University of India, Visakhapatnam

West Bengal

1. Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, Kolkata

2. Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research, Diamond Harbour Road

Maharashtra

1. Raja Arabic University, Nagpur

Puducherry

1. Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education, Thilaspet

Karnataka

1. Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society, Belgaum

Kerala

1. St. John's University, Kishanpattam

This is part of a wider initiative to keep the Indian higher education system transparent and protect students from the misleading claims of unauthorised institutions.

UGC Approved University List for 2025-26

The list of universities recognised by the UGC is also relevant to this discussion: on one hand, the infamous institutions, while on another, an ever-increasing list of recognised universities entitled to open and distance learning programmes. In total, for the academic year 2025-26, 101 universities and 20 Category-I institutions are approved to run ODL programmes from July-August. These include both public and private universities in India that meet the quality and compliance standards set by the Commission.

When seeking admission to a recognised institution within the Indian higher education system, applicants are advised to take the following steps to ascertain if the university in question is duly authorised and compliant: 

• Admission seekers should access the ``recent list of UGC approved universities'' on the official website of the University Grants Commission. This document contains the names of institutions officially recognised to offer degree programmes according to the provisions of the UGC Act, 1956.

• Check if the university is recognised under Sections 2(f) and 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. Recognition under these sections indicates that the institution has met the statutory requirements necessary to confer valid academic degrees.

• Besides, a student should refrain from taking admission into any one of those institutions not established by an Act of Parliament or State Legislature. Only those universities established by Central or State legislation are legally empowered to operate as degree-awarding institutions in India.

• Before admission into any program of open and distance learning (ODL), the candidate shall ensure that such a program is being conducted by a UGC approved university. Degrees awarded by unrecognised institutions are not recognised for academic purposes, and also, jobs, especially those awarded through distance education.

It is suggested that the applicant regularly visit the official UGC website and stay updated regarding recognition status, new approvals, and fake universities, as it would help in securing one's academic and professional future.

The declaration of 22 universities as UGC fake aids should now reaffirm the importance of institutional verification in higher education. Delhi and Uttar Pradesh have perhaps the highest number of institutions banned among the others; thus, students must continue to remain vigilant and well-informed. With growth comes the assurance of regulatory scrutiny in the Indian higher education system. Students must protect their academic and professional futures by following the UGC guidelines and referring to the approved university list.

Editor’s Note:

In India, higher education is a major financial and emotional commitment. Families often spend up to one-third of their income, ranging from ₹1.5 to ₹4 lakh annually per student, on tuition, coaching, and career preparation. Students dedicate years to entrance exams and academic planning, all in pursuit of a recognised qualification that can unlock future opportunities. However, this effort is increasingly at risk due to the rise of fake universities operating without legal recognition. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently declared 22 such institutions as unauthorised under the UGC Act, 1956. These entities, including the Institute of Management and Engineering in Delhi, are not established by any Central or State legislation and are not permitted to award degrees. As a result, qualifications from these universities are invalid for further education or employment, leaving students with no legal or academic recourse after graduation. This development underscores the urgent need for students and guardians to verify university credentials before admission. By consulting the UGC approved university list and confirming recognition under Sections 2(f) and 3 of the UGC Act, applicants can safeguard their academic future. 

Skoobuzz asserts that as the higher education sector expands, regulatory vigilance remains essential to protect students from fraudulent institutions and ensure the integrity of India’s education system.

FAQs

1. What are UGC fake universities, and why are they a concern?

UGC fake universities are institutions that operate without legal recognition under the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. They are not authorised to confer degrees, making any qualifications obtained from them invalid for academic or professional use.

2. How many fake universities are banned by UGC in India as of October 2025?

As of October 2025, the University Grants Commission has declared 22 institutions as fake universities across various states in India.

3. Which states have the most fake universities according to UGC?

Delhi has the highest number of fake universities, followed by Uttar Pradesh. Other affected states include Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Karnataka, and Kerala.

4. What are the UGC guidelines for recognising universities in India?

According to the UGC Act, 1956, only institutions established by a Central or State Act and recognised under Sections 2(f) or 3 are legally authorised to award degrees.

5. Is a degree from a fake university valid for jobs or further education?

No. Degrees from fake universities are not recognised by employers, academic institutions, or government bodies. They hold no legal or academic value.

6. How can students verify if a university is UGC approved?

Students should consult the official UGC approved university list available on the UGC website. They must confirm recognition under Sections 2(f) and 3 and ensure the institution is established by Central or State legislation.

7. What is the impact of fake universities on students and families?

Students risk losing time, money, and career opportunities. Families often invest up to one-third of their income in higher education, making fraudulent degrees a serious financial and emotional setback.

8. What is the latest fake university identified by UGC?

The Institute of Management and Engineering in Kotla Mubarakpur, Delhi, was recently flagged by UGC for operating without legal recognition. Its engineering degrees are invalid.

9. Are distance education programmes from fake universities valid?

No. Distance education degrees from unrecognised institutions are not valid for employment or further studies. Students must ensure ODL programmes are offered by UGC-approved universities.

10. How many universities are approved by UGC for distance learning in 2025–26?

For the academic year 2025–26, UGC has approved 101 universities and 20 Category-I institutions to offer open and distance learning (ODL) programmes starting in July–August.