The University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 32 fake universities operating across 12 states in the country, raising fresh concerns about student safety and the credibility of higher education. The latest data shows that the number of such institutions has increased from 20 to 32 in the last two years, indicating the growing reach of unauthorised universities.
The UGC has advised students and parents to remain cautious and avoid taking admission in these institutions, which are not recognised under the UGC Act and do not have the authority to award 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 about an institute operating in Bengaluru under the name Global Human Peace University, warning that it is not authorised to function as a university.
Delhi has the highest number of fake universities, with 12 such institutions operating in the national capital. These include names such as the 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.
Some of these institutions are located close to regulatory offices, raising questions about monitoring and enforcement.
Other states where fake universities have been detected include Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have multiple institutions, including Gandhi Hindi Vidyapeeth in Prayag and the Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine.
In Haryana, Magic and Art University in Faridabad has been listed, while Daksha University in Ranchi has been flagged in Jharkhand.
The UGC said these institutions mislead students by offering degrees without approval, putting their academic and career prospects at risk. It has asked students to check the official list of recognised universities on its website before applying for admission.
Education experts say fake universities often attract students by promising quick degrees, low fees or flexible courses. Many operate without proper infrastructure, faculty or academic standards.
The problem has also evolved in recent years, with some fake institutions presenting themselves as foreign universities or claiming international affiliations. This has made it harder for students to identify legitimate institutions.
The UGC regularly publishes a list of fake universities to inform the public. However, concerns remain about the continued operation of such institutions despite repeated alerts.
For students, the consequences can be severe. Degrees issued by fake universities are not valid for jobs, higher education or government services.
With admissions approaching, the UGC has reiterated its warning and urged students to verify university recognition before enrolling.
The commission said awareness remains the strongest defence against fake universities, which continue to target students across the country.
