By / October 2, 2025

List of Fake Universities in India by UGC (2025 Updated)

The University Grants Commission (UGC) published a list of 21 fake universities in India, which is mostly established in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and West Bengal, as illegal institutions. According to UGC these universities are not authorized to grant any degrees. UGC director Manish Joshi also said, these colleges offered degrees in violation of the UGC Act. Their degree won’t be accepted for further education or employment.

The UGC is a regulatory organization responsible for providing financial resources to higher education institutions and overseeing the establishment and implementation of quality standards at these institutions.

If an organization wants to be authorized by the UGC, it has to follow the rules and guidelines that the UGC establishes for factors like the curriculum, structures, the hiring of faculty and support staff members, and other requirements.

Understanding the Fake Universities

The UGC regularly identifies and list fake universities that running without approval. According to Section 3 of the UGC Act prohibits institutions from using the name ‘University’ unless they were established by a central/state/provincial act or have gone through the required process. Institutes authorized under Section 3 of the UGC Act can also award degrees.

After a careful review and survey, the UGC found several self-proclaimed and unidentified universities violating the UGC Act across the country. The UGC has given reasons and warning letters to these institutes to stop them from offering worthless degrees. Read the full article below about UGC’s 2024 list of fake universities in India.

Also read UGC latest notifications:

Delhi has the highest number of fake Universities , with total eight, Uttar Pradesh had four, while Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Karnataka each had two. Maharashtra and Puducherry each had one.

List of Universities in Delhi

List of Fake Universities in India

s/n College/ University Location
1 All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPHS) Delhi
2 Commercial University Ltd Delhi
3 United Nations University Delhi
4 Vocational University Delhi
5 ADR-Centric Juridical University Delhi
6 Indian Institute of Science and Engineering Delhi
7 Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment Delhi
8 Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya Delhi
9 Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith Uttar Pradesh
10 Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open university) Uttar Pradesh
11 National University of Electro Complex Homeopathy Uttar Pradesh
12 Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad Uttar Pradesh
13 Maithili University/Vishwavidyalaya, Darbhanga Bihar
14 St John’s University   Karnataka
15 Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society Karnataka
16 Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research    Kolkata
17 Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine    Kolkata
18 Raja Arabic University    Maharashtra  
19 Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education Puducherry  
20 Bible Open University of India Andhra Pradesh  
21 Christ New Testament Deemed University Andhra Pradesh  

If students have any confusion, they can verify with the office of the University Grants Commission, located at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi, or visit the UGC Fake University List

Is a Degree from a Non-Recognized University Valid?"

Fake university degrees aren’t recognized by companies or accredited institutions, so their validity is important. Diploma mills, or fake universities, award degrees without genuine academic study. Since they’re not accredited by the UGC, these schools lack higher education standards. 

So, fake university degrees are worth far less than accredited ones. Companies, graduate programs, and professional licensing organizations rarely accept these degrees, making them useless for most professional and educational needs. 

Before enrolling, students must research and verify the institution’s accreditation and approvals to ensure their degree’s validity and acceptance.

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Checklist to Identify Fake Universities

  1. Understand the Concept of Fake Universities

    • Recognize that fake universities exist and can exploit students for money and time.
    • Ensure the university is recognized by UGC or other regulatory bodies.

  2. Check the Infrastructure

    • Look for institutions with proper facilities, many fake universities operate from small or inadequate premises.
    • Assess the quality of faculty and available resources.

  3. Beware of Bold Promises

    • Be cautious of universities that promise guaranteed career opportunities or experienced faculty.
    • Conduct thorough research and seek opinions from alumni or current students.

  4. Refer to Official Lists

    • Regularly check the official UGC website for updates on blacklisted universities.
    • Stay informed to make educated decisions regarding your education.

  5. Verify Accreditation

    • Confirm that the university is accredited and recognized by relevant authorities.
    • Seek advice from educational experts or Collegesgyan regarding the institution’s reputation.

Types of UGC Approved Universities in India

Candidates must know the government’s standard categories to spot fake universities in India. In India there are four types of approved universities listed below:

Central Universities: The University Grants Commission (UGC) funds central universities, which are established by Parliament. The nation has 56 central universities.

State Universities: State governments establish or recognize state universities. As of November 14, 2023, there are 479 state universities.

Private Universities: A state or federal act creates a private university through the sponsorship of a public trust, an organization registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, or any other state-specific law.

Deemed Universities: For their excellent educational programs, non-university higher education institutions are often granted university status.

Frequent Asked Questions

Delhi has the 8 fake Universities which is the highest number in India

There are 4 fake universities in Uttar Pradesh, making it the second-highest state on the list of fake universities in India.

According to the latest list released by the UGC, Maithili University is not approved by the commission and is categorized as a fake university

Taking admission to a fake university can lead to serious problems, as the degree you earn will not be valid or recognized by employers or educational institutions

In 2025, the UGC identified 21 fake universities across India, with Delhi having the highest number of such institutions.

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