UGC Flags 32 Fake Universities in India; Check Complete List State-Wise Before Taking Admission; Delhi At Top

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a fresh advisory cautioning students and parents against 32 unauthorised universities functioning across India as of February 2026. These institutions are located in 12 states and Union territories, with Delhi emerging as the biggest hotspot, hosting 12 such entities.

UGC Flags 32 Fake Universities Across India

The 2026 alert covers unauthorised institutions in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Karnataka, Kerala, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.

State-wise List of Fake Universities

Below is the state-wise list shared by the UGC for public verification:

Delhi

• All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPHS) State Government University
• Commercial University Ltd., Daryaganj
• United Nations University
• Vocational University
• ADR-Centric Juridical University, Rajendra Place
• Indian Institute of Science and Engineering
• Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment, Sanjay Enclave
• Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University), Rohini
• World Peace of United Nations University (WPUNU), Pitampura
• Institute of Management and Engineering, Kotla Mubarakpur

Uttar Pradesh

• Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag
• 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 and Research, Diamond Harbour Road

Maharashtra - Raja Arabic University, Nagpur

Puducherry- Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education, Thilaspet

Karnataka- Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society, Gokak

Kerala - St. John's University, Kishanpattam

Andhra Pradesh - Christ New Testament Deemed University / Bible Open University of India, Visakhapatnam

Delhi Tops the List of Fake Universities

Delhi continues to remain the largest hub of fake universities, with many entities using misleading titles that suggest government backing or international affiliation. The UGC stressed that such terminology does not confer legal status.

Only Legally Established Universities Can Award Degrees

The UGC reiterated that under the UGC Act, 1956, only universities established through an Act of Parliament or a State Legislature are authorised to grant degrees. In addition, institutions declared as "deemed to be universities" under Section 3 of the Act also have degree-awarding powers.

Any organisation operating outside this framework and issuing degrees is doing so illegally, regardless of its name, website claims, promotional material, or use of terms such as "open university," "state government university," or international-sounding titles.

The regulator cautioned that degrees, diplomas or certificates issued by these institutions carry no legal validity and are not recognised for employment, government recruitment, or higher education purposes.

Action Sought From State Governments

UGC officials confirmed that formal communications have been sent to higher education departments and principal secretaries of all affected states and Union territories. The regulator has urged authorities to take strict legal action, curb misleading advertisements, and prevent these institutions from enrolling students under false pretences.

The Commission also advised students to verify the legitimacy of any university by checking official UGC recognition lists before applying or paying fees.

UGC Added Four New States in 2026 Update

According to the latest update, four new states-Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh-have been added to the list this year. Institutions located in Karnataka and Kerala, which were first flagged in a March 2022 UGC notice, continue to remain on the list.