In a significant move to safeguard the educational interests of students and maintain the credibility of higher education institutions in India, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has unveiled a list of 20 universities across the country that are deemed “fake.” The UGC’s announcement comes as a step towards preventing students from falling victim to unaccredited and fraudulent institutions, ensuring that their pursuit of education remains legitimate and valuable.
The UGC, the apex body responsible for maintaining the standards of education in India, has acted proactively to protect the interests of students and their parents. A statement issued by UGC Secretary Manish Joshi emphasized the importance of recognizing and validating the accreditation status of universities before enrolling. According to Joshi, “Degrees awarded by such universities shall neither be recognised nor valid for higher education or employment purpose. These universities are not empowered to confer any degree.”
Among the 20 universities flagged by the UGC as “fake,” the highest number, a total of eight, are located in Delhi. The list includes institutions from various states, each of which has been determined by the UGC as not authorized to grant degrees. The following table provides an overview of the fake universities identified by the UGC, categorized by state:
| State | University Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPHS) | Alipur, Near BDO Office |
| Commercial University Ltd. | Daryaganj | |
| United Nations University | Delhi | |
| Vocational University | Delhi | |
| ADR-Centric Juridical University | 25 Rajendra Place | |
| Indian Institute of Science and Engineering | Delhi | |
| Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment | Sanjay Enclave, Opp. GTK Depot | |
| Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University) | Vijay Vihar, Rithala, Rohini | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith | Prayag, Allahabad |
| National University of Electro Complex Homeopathy | Kanpur | |
| Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University) | Achaltal, Aligarh | |
| Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad | Faizabad Road, Lucknow | |
| West Bengal | Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine | Kolkata |
| Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research | Diamond Harbour Road | |
| Andhra Pradesh | Christ New Testament Deemed University | Guntur |
| Bible Open University of India | Visakhapatnam | |
| Karnataka | Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society | Gokak, Belgaum |
| Kerala | St. John’s University | Kishanattam |
| Maharashtra | Raja Arabic University | Nagpur |
| Puducherry | Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education | Thilaspet, Vazhuthavoor Road |
This comprehensive step taken by the UGC serves as a reminder to students and their families about the importance of conducting due diligence before choosing an educational institution. By identifying and publicizing these fake universities, the UGC has taken a significant stride in ensuring that students receive legitimate and recognized degrees, which are crucial for their academic and professional pursuits.
The Chenab Times News Desk