New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 32 institutions operating as fake universities across India and warned that degrees issued by them are invalid for employment and higher education.Â
The Commission said these institutions are functioning without recognition from either the Central Government or any State Government.
In a notice issued in February 2026, the UGC clarified that only universities established by a Central or State Act, or those granted deemed university status under the law, can award valid degrees. Citing Sections 2(f) and 3 of the UGC Act, it said any degree granted by the listed entities has no legal standing.
Delhi Tops List
Delhi has the highest number of fake universities, with 12 institutions identified. These include the World Peace of United Nations University, the Institute of Management and Engineering, the All India Institute of Public and Physical Health Sciences, the United Nations University, the Indian Institute of Science and Engineering and the Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya, among others.
Fake Institutions Identified Across Other States
Uttar Pradesh follows with four fake institutions, while Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Puducherry, and West Bengal have two each. Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan have one each on the list.
In Uttar Pradesh, the institutions named are Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith in Prayagraj, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University) in Aligarh, Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad in Lucknow, and Mahamaya Technical University in Noida.
Other institutions declared fake include Christ New Testament Deemed University in Guntur and Bible Open University of India in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh; Magic and Art University in Faridabad, Haryana; Daksha University in Ranchi, Jharkhand; Sarva Bharatiya Shiksha Peeth in Tumkur and Global Human Peace University in Bengaluru, Karnataka; and Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine and Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Advisory to Students
The UGC has urged students and parents to check the recognition status of institutions on its official website before taking admission. It also cautioned against universities using misleading names that resemble recognised institutions.
