UGC identifies 32 fake universities across 12 states

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 32 fake universities operating across 12 states, raising fresh concerns over student safety and the credibility of higher education in India.

As per the latest data released by the commission, the number of such unauthorised institutions has risen from 20 to 32 over the past two years, indicating an expanding network of entities functioning without statutory approval.

The UGC reportedly has cautioned students and parents against seeking admission in these institutions, stating that they are not recognised under the UGC Act and have no authority to confer valid degrees.

New states added to the list include Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Arunachal Pradesh, each reporting one fake university. 

The commission also issued a specific alert regarding an institute operating in Bengaluru under the name ‘Global Human Peace University’, clarifying that it is not authorised to function as a university.

Delhi has emerged as the state with the highest number of fake universities, with 12 such institutions operating in the national capital. These include entities such as All India Institute of Public and Physical Health Sciences, Commercial University Limited, United Nations University, Vishwakarma Open University for Self-Employment and the Institute of Management and Engineering.

Officials noted that some of these institutions are located close to regulatory offices, raising questions about monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

The UGC said such institutions mislead students by offering degrees without approval, thereby jeopardising their academic and career prospects. It has advised prospective applicants to verify the status of universities on its official website before enrolling.

State-wise list of institutions declared fake:

1. Andhra Pradesh (2)

- Christ New Testament Deemed University, Guntur

- Bible Open University of India, Visakhapatnam

2. Arunachal Pradesh 

- Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine

3. Delhi 

- World Peace of United Nations University (WPUNU)

- Institute of Management and Engineering

- All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPHS) State Government University

- Commercial University Ltd.

- United Nations University

- Vocational University

- ADR-Centric Juridical University

- Indian Institute of Science and Engineering

- Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment

- Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University)

- National Institute of Management Solution

-Mountain Institute of Management & Technology

4. Haryana

- Magic & Art University, Faridabad

5. Jharkhand 

- Daksha University (Vocational and Life Skill Education), Ranchi

6. Karnataka 

- Sarva Bharatiya Shiksha Peeth, Tumkur

- Global Human Peace University, Bengaluru

7. Kerala

- International Islamic University of Prophetic Medicine (IIUPM), Kozhikode

- St John's University

8. Maharashtra

- Raja Arabic University, Nagpur

- National Backward Krushi Vidyapeeth, Solapur

9. Puducherry

- Usha Latchumanan College of Education

- Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education

10. Rajasthan 

- Rajeev Gandhi Institute of Technology & Management, Bhiwadi

11. Uttar Pradesh 

- Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayagraj

- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), Aligarh

- Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow

- Mahamaya Technical University, Noida

12. West Bengal 

- Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, Kolkata

- Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research, Kolkata