The University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 32 fake universities operating across 12 states in India, according to its latest update released in February 2026. The statutory body, under the Union Ministry of Education, has issued a strong warning to students and parents, emphasising that these institutions are not recognised under the UGC Act and have no authority to award degrees.
Any qualifications obtained from them will be invalid for employment, higher education, or other official purposes, the UGC has clarified.
Delhi tops the list with the highest number of such entities at 12, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 4. The number represents a notable increase from previous years, rising from 20 in 2023 and 22 in 2025.
State-wise Breakdown of Fake Universities is as follows:
- Delhi: 12
- Uttar Pradesh: 4
- Andhra Pradesh: 2
- Karnataka: 2
- Kerala: 2
- Maharashtra: 2
- Puducherry: 2
- West Bengal: 2
- Arunachal Pradesh: 1
- Haryana: 1
- Jharkhand: 1
- Rajasthan: 1
The UGC’s official list, available on its website, includes institutions with misleading or grandiose names, such as those claiming international or United Nations affiliations. The Commission has reiterated that only universities established by an Act of Parliament or state legislature, or those specifically empowered by law, can confer degrees. It urged prospective students to verify institutional recognition via the UGC website before enrolling.
The full list of the universities declared fake by the UGC has been given below:
- Andhra Pradesh – Christ New Testament Deemed University
- Andhra Pradesh – Bible Open University of India
- Arunachal Pradesh – Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine
- Delhi – World Peace of United Nations University
- Delhi – Institute of Management and Engineering
- Delhi – All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences
- Delhi – Commercial University Ltd
- Delhi – United Nations University
- Delhi – Vocational University
- Delhi – ADR – Centric Juridical University
- Delhi – Indian Institute of Science and Engineering
- Delhi – Viswakarma Open University for Self – Employment
- Delhi – Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University)
- Haryana – Magic & Art University
- Jharkhand – Daksha University (Vocational and Life Skill Education)
- Karnataka – Sarva Bharatiya Shiksha Peeth
- Karnataka – Global Human Peace University
- Kerala – International Islamic University of Prophetic Medicine
- Kerala – St. John’s University
- Maharashtra – Raja Arabic University
- Maharashtra – National Backward Krushi Vidyapeeth – Solapur
- New Delhi – National Institute of Management Solution
- New Delhi – Mountain Institute of Management & Technology
- Puducherry – Usha Latchumanan College of Education
- Puducherry – Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education
- Rajasthan – Rajeev Gandhi Institute of Technology & Management
- Uttar Pradesh – Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith
- Uttar Pradesh – Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University
- Uttar Pradesh – Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad
- Uttar Pradesh – Mahamaya Technical University
- West Bengal – Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine
- West Bengal – Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research
