3 weeks ago
UGC Identifies 32 Fake Universities, Warns Students Against Unauthorised Degrees
Imagine someone pretending to be a school but not allowed to teach.
In India, a big education group called the University Grants Commission (UGC) found 32 pretend universities.
These pretend schools give out degrees that are not official, so the government says these degrees do not count.
The UGC made a list of these fake universities in February 2026 and told the government about it.
Most of the pretend universities are in Delhi.
Some companies on the internet were working with these pretend schools to sell courses and promise jobs.
The UGC says that is not allowed.
They want students and parents to check a special website before joining any university or course.
If a school is not on the official website, students should not go to it.
This way, students will not be tricked into wasting their money or time.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 32 fake universities across India, according to a list published in February 2026.
The Ministry of Education shared the list in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday in response to questions about fake universities and invalid degrees.
Delhi has the highest number of fake universities (10), followed by Uttar Pradesh (4) and Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal (2 each).
UGC clarified that franchise arrangements between EdTech companies and universities are not permitted under its regulations, and degrees from such collaborations lack recognition.
Students are urged to verify institutions through the UGC's Distance Education Bureau portal and official website before taking admission.
State governments and Union Territories have been asked to initiate action against such institutions and register FIRs wherever required.
- Who
- The University Grants Commission (UGC), the Ministry of Education, and Minister of State for Education Dr Sukanta Majumdar, who replied in the Rajya Sabha.
- What
- The UGC identified 32 fake universities across India and warned students against enrolling in institutions awarding unauthorised degrees.
- Where
- Across India, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Puducherry.
- When
- The latest list was published by the UGC in February 2026 and shared in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
- Why
- To protect students from fraudulent institutions and misleading claims by some EdTech companies offering unauthorised online and distance learning programmes.
Key facts
- Number of fake universities
- 32
- List published
- February 2026
- State with most fake universities
- Delhi (10)
- Regulatory law
- UGC Act, 1956
- Verification portal
- UGC Distance Education Bureau (DEB) portal
- Enforcement body
- UGC Anti-Malpractice Cell (established May 30, 1996)
- Affected states/UTs
- Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Puducherry
- Examples of listed institutions
- All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences, Commercial University Ltd., United Nations University, Vocational University, Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya, Magic & Art University, Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education
Sources
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