UGC Warning: 22 Fake Universities Operating Without Approval – Check Full List Here

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released an updated list of 22 fake universities operating across India, warning students and parents against enrolling in them. These institutions, the UGC said, are not authorised to award degrees under the UGC Act, 1956, and have been misleading students by posing as recognised universities.

The latest name added to the list is the Institute of Management and Engineering in Kotla Mubarakpur, Delhi. The Commission confirmed that it is not recognised under Sections 2(f) or 3 of the UGC Act, nor established under any Central or State law. Any degrees or certificates issued by this institute are invalid for further studies or employment.

Delhi has emerged as the biggest hub for such unapproved institutions, followed by Uttar Pradesh. The UGC has released a state-wise list to help students verify institutions before taking admission.

State-wise List of Fake Universities (Updated October 2025)

Delhi:

1. All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPHS) State Government University
2. Commercial University Ltd., Daryaganj
3. United Nations University
4. Vocational University
5. ADR-Centric Juridical University, Rajendra Place
6. Indian Institute of Science and Engineering, New Delhi
7. Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment, Sanjay Enclave
8. Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University), Rohini
9. World Peace of United Nations University (WPUNU), Pitampura
10. Institute of Management and Engineering, Kotla Mubarakpur

Uttar Pradesh:

1. Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag (Allahabad)
2. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), Aligarh
3. Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow
4. Mahamaya Technical University, Noida

Andhra Pradesh:

1. Christ New Testament Deemed University
2. Bible Open University of India, Visakhapatnam

West Bengal:

1. Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, Kolkata
2. Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research, Kolkata

Maharashtra:

1. Raja Arabic University, Nagpur

Puducherry:

1. Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education, Puducherry

Previously Flagged (2022):

• Karnataka: Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society, Belgaum
• Kerala: St. John’s University, Kishanpattam

UGC’s Warning to Students

The Commission has reminded students that only universities established through a Central or State Act, or those recognised under Sections 2(f) and 3 of the UGC Act, are legally permitted to confer degrees. Enrolling in unapproved universities can result in degrees that are not valid for government jobs, higher education, or professional qualifications.

The UGC has urged students and parents to verify an institution’s recognition status on its official website before taking admission. It also cautioned against trusting unverified advertisements or misleading websites.

In a related update, the UGC announced that 101 universities and 20 Category-I institutions have been approved to offer Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes for the 2025–26 academic session. The move aims to expand access to quality higher education through legitimate and recognised online platforms.