Fake universities have become a serious and rising concern for students seeking higher education after Class 12. These unrecognized institutions issue degrees that are not approved by India’s higher education authorities, leaving students with invalid qualifications and uncertain career prospects.
To safeguard themselves, students should always verify the authenticity of any university before applying. The University Grants Commission (UGC)—India’s higher education regulator—regularly publishes an updated list of fake universities on its official website: ugc.gov.in. Referring to this list is an essential step in the admission process.
Legitimate universities in India must be recognized by the UGC and, in some cases, also by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Only institutions established under a Central, State, or Provincial Act, or those empowered under the UGC Act of 1956, are legally authorized to award degrees.
In March 2025, the UGC issued a circular identifying fake universities operating in several states, including Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. (Agencies)
