In a sweeping crackdown on unrecognised higher education institutions, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has flagged 22 fake universities operating across India without statutory approval, warning students and parents against falling prey to fraudulent degree programmes.

According to the commission, these entities have been falsely projecting themselves as universities despite lacking recognition under the UGC Act, 1956. Any degree awarded by such institutions, it said, is academically invalid and legally untenable.

The UGC, in its latest advisory, singled out the Institute of Management and Engineering in Kotla Mubarakpur, Delhi, as a recent case. The commission clarified that the institute is not established under any Central or State Act, nor is it recognised under Sections 2(f) or 3 of the UGC Act. As a result, the engineering degrees it offers are void and unrecognised.

Reiterating its warning, the UGC emphasised that none of these institutions have the sanction of either the Central or state governments, and students should verify university credentials on the official portal before seeking admission.

State-wise list of fake universities flagged by UGC

Andhra Pradesh

1.     Christ New Testament Deemed University (Guntur, two addresses)

2.     Bible Open University of India, Visakhapatnam

Delhi

3. All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences, Alipur
4. Commercial University Ltd., Daryaganj
5. United Nations University, Delhi
6. Vocational University, Delhi
7. ADR-Centric Judicial University, Rajendra Place
8. Indian Institute of Science and Engineering, New Delhi
9. Vishwakarma Open University for Self-Employment, Sanjay Enclave
10. Spiritual University, Rohini
11. World Peace of United Nations University, Pitampura
12. Institute of Management and Engineering, Kotla Mubarakpur

Kerala

13. International Islamic University of Prophetic Medicine, Kozhikode
14. St John’s University, Kishanattam

Maharashtra

15. Raja Arabic University, Nagpur

Puducherry

16. Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education, Thilaspet

Uttar Pradesh

17. Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag (Allahabad)
18. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), Aligarh
19. Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow
20. Mahamaya Technical University, Noida

West Bengal

21. Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, Kolkata
22. Institute of Alternative Medicine & Research, Kolkata

UGC’s appeal to students

The commission has urged students to refrain from enrolling in any of the listed institutions and to verify the authenticity of universities through the official UGC website, ugc.gov.in.

“Only universities established by a Central, State, Provincial Act or institutions deemed to be universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act are authorised to award degrees,” the UGC reiterated.

The move underscores the commission’s continuing effort to uphold academic integrity and protect students from unauthorised and exploitative entities masquerading as legitimate higher education institutions.