The University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 32 fake universities operating in 12 states across India, a significant rise from 20 two years ago, raising fresh alarm over student safety, academic credibility and future employability.
Delhi continues to top the list with 12 such institutions many of which bear names deceptively similar to legitimate universities while Uttar Pradesh follows with four fake entities. The UGC has urged students and parents to verify institutional recognition before admission, warning that degrees issued by these unauthorised bodies carry no legal value for jobs, further studies or government services.
Fake Universities Spread, Degrees Invalid
According to the latest UGC notification, the number of unauthorised institutions flagged as fake has grown sharply from 20 two years ago to 32 as of February 2026, underscoring an expanding web of educational fraud. The watchdog’s list covers states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Puducherry, as well as new additions such as Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Arunachal Pradesh, each reporting at least one fake university. []
In Delhi, where the concentration is highest, fake institutions include World Peace of United Nations University, All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences, Commercial University Ltd., United Nations University, Vocational University, ADR-Centric Juridical University and several others.
Across other states, examples include Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University in Uttar Pradesh, Magic & Art University in Haryana, and Daksha University in Jharkhand. []
The UGC has emphasised that these entities do not appear on its official list of recognised universities, are not established under the UGC Act, 1956, and therefore cannot legally confer degrees. Degrees from these institutions are invalid for employment, higher education, public service examinations or professional licencing. []
In its advisory, the commission has also pointed to one institution in Bengaluru known as Global Human Peace University, warning that it operates without approval and should not be treated as a legitimate university by applicants. Education analysts note that many fake universities adopt misleading names that resemble reputed institutions or foreign affiliates, making it harder for unsuspecting students to differentiate between authentic and bogus entities.
Student Impact and Regulatory Oversight
The persistence and proliferation of fake universities has sparked concerns among educators, parents and policymakers about systemic gaps in oversight and awareness. Despite periodic UGC alerts and published lists, these unauthorised institutions continue to recruit students often promising low fees, flexible entry criteria or speedy degrees without adequate infrastructure, faculty or academic standards.
Experts say that aspirants from economically weaker backgrounds and small towns are especially vulnerable to such schemes, which can cause long-term damage to careers and life opportunities. “Once a student completes a programme from a fake university, their degree will not be recognised by employers or other educational institutions.
Regulatory authorities, including the UGC, have reiterated that public awareness is the strongest defence. The commission maintains an up-to-date registry of recognised universities on its official website and encourages prospective students to cross-check institutional status before enrolling. Some state education departments have begun outreach campaigns to spread awareness in rural communities.
The issue also highlights broader challenges in India’s expansive higher-education system, which serves over 43 million students through more than 1,000 universities and tens of thousands of colleges. In such a vast ecosystem, experts argue, fraudulent actors can easily exploit information gaps and regulatory blind spots.
Some senior education officials have privately acknowledged that local enforcement needs strengthening, particularly in urban centres where fake universities cluster near legitimate academic hubs in some cases, “just a few metres away” from recognised institutions, making policing more complex.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we recognise education not just as an economic asset but as a gateway to dignity, equality and empowerment. The rise of fake universities undermines these ideals and poses a risk to the educational aspirations of millions of young Indians.
While regulatory bodies like the UGC must continue to identify and expose illegitimate institutions, the onus also lies on families, communities and civil society to cultivate critical awareness, verify credentials diligently, and support students in making informed choices.
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