UGC Blacklists 22 Fake Universities, Declares Their Degrees Invalid Across India
UGC blacklists 22 fake universities, with Delhi leading the list; warns students their degrees hold no legal value.
In a stern warning to aspiring students and job seekers, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has blacklisted 22 rogue institutions masquerading as universities, declaring all degrees issued by them null and void under the law. The move comes amid rising concerns over fraudulent higher education setups that prey on the uninformed, with Delhi emerging as the epicentre of this menace, hosting 10 such fake entities.
The UGC's latest advisory, issued under Sections 2(f) and 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, explicitly states that these unapproved institutes lack the authority to confer degrees valid for employment or advanced studies. "Qualifications from these bodies hold no legal value," the commission emphasised in its notice, urging the public to cross-check institutions via official channels before enrolling.
This crackdown was triggered by a high-profile case involving the Institute of Management and Engineering in Delhi's Kotla Mubarakpur, which the UGC exposed as operating without central or state recognition. The institute, like others on the list, has been accused of luring students with promises of quick qualifications, only to leave them with worthless certificates.
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Delhi Leads in Deception, Followed by Uttar Pradesh
A state-wise breakdown reveals a disturbing pattern: Delhi tops the chart with a whopping 10 fake universities, underscoring the capital's vulnerability to such scams. Uttar Pradesh trails with four, while Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and West Bengal each report two. Maharashtra and the Union Territory of Puducherry round out the list with one apiece.
The full roster of blacklisted institutions includes:
Andhra Pradesh
- Christ New Testament Deemed University (Guntur, with two addresses)
- Bible Open University of India, Visakhapatnam
Delhi
- All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences, Alipur
- Commercial University Ltd., Daryaganj
- United Nations University, Delhi
- Vocational University, Delhi
- ADR-Centric Judicial University, Rajendra Place
- Indian Institute of Science and Engineering, New Delhi
- Vishwakarma Open University for Self-Employment, Sanjay Enclave
- Spiritual University, Rohini
- World Peace of United Nations University, Pitampura
- Institute of Management and Engineering, Kotla Mubarakpur
Kerala
- International Islamic University of Prophetic Medicine, Kozhikode
- St John's University, Kishanattam
Maharashtra
- Raja Arabic University, Nagpur
Puducherry
- Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education, Thilaspet
Uttar Pradesh
- Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag, Allahabad
- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), Aligarh
- Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow
- Mahamaya Technical University, Noida
West Bengal
- Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, Kolkata
- Institute of Alternative Medicine & Research, Kolkata
These outfits, the UGC noted, routinely flout Section 22 of the Act by offering degree programmes without accreditation, often targeting vulnerable youth unaware of verification processes.
A Call for Vigilance Amid Rising Education Scams
Education experts hail the UGC's proactive stance as a vital safeguard in an era of unchecked online admissions and aggressive marketing by dubious players. "Students must prioritise official validation to protect their futures," the commission advised, pointing to its website and helpline as reliable resources.
The advisory arrives at a sensitive time for India's higher education landscape, with recent headlines dominated by competitive exam results and recruitment drives. Just last month, the UPSC announced its August 2025 selections, while the Medical Counselling Committee unveiled the NEET PG schedule—reminders of the high stakes involved in legitimate qualifications.
As investigations into these fake universities deepen, the UGC has vowed stricter enforcement, including potential legal action against operators. For now, the message is clear: in the pursuit of knowledge, caveat emptor—let the student beware.
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