UGC Declares 32 Universities Fake Across India, Delhi Tops List With 12

In a major crackdown on unrecognised higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a comprehensive list of 32 “fake” universities operating across India as of February 2026. The statutory body clarified that these institutions are not authorised to confer degrees, and any certification issued by them holds no legal validity for employment or academic progression.

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The timing of the announcement is critical, as many students begin scouting for admissions for the upcoming 2026-27 academic session. The commission has emphasized that these entities possess no recognition from either the Central or State governments.

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The Numbers: State-wise Breakdown

While the problem is pan-India, certain states show a higher density of these fraudulent institutions. Delhi remains the primary hub for such entities, followed by Uttar Pradesh.

Legal Implications: Why the Degrees are Void

Under Sections 2(f) and 3 of the UGC Act, only a university established by a Central, State, or Provincial Act, or an institution specially “Deemed to be a University,” has the right to confer degrees. These 32 institutions have been found to be in violation of these mandates.

Degrees from these institutions are effectively “scraps of paper” in the eyes of the law. They cannot be used to apply for government jobs, nor will they be accepted by recognized universities for postgraduate or doctoral applications.

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Spotlight on Delhi: The 12 Unrecognised Entities

The national capital’s list includes several long-standing offenders and new entries. Some notable mentions include:

• Commercial University Ltd.

• United Nations University

• ADR-Centric Juridical University

• Vishwakarama Open University for Self-Employment

• Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University)

Other states like Uttar Pradesh feature the Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith in Prayagraj and Mahamaya Technical University in Noida, which have consistently appeared on such lists.

Reality Check

The UGC releases this list almost every year. Still, these institutions continue to operate, often by simply changing their name or moving to a different building. Therefore, the “blacklist” is a reactive measure. In fact, many of these universities use names that sound remarkably similar to prestigious international or national bodies (e.g., “United Nations University”) to deceive unsuspecting students from rural or lower-income backgrounds.

The Loopholes

Many of these entities operate as “Societies” or “Trusts” registered under local state laws. In fact, being a registered trust does not grant the right to provide degrees. Therefore, the “loophole” they use is to tell students they are “registered with the government,” which is technically true for the building/trust but a lie for the education provided. Still, the UGC Act 1956 is being tightened to allow for more direct police action and immediate sealing of such premises.

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What This Means for You

If you or someone you know is seeking admission, do not rely on the university’s website alone. First, cross-reference the name of the institution with the Consolidated List of Universities on the official ugc.ac.in portal. Then, look for the “UGC Recognized” logo—but verify it independently, as fake universities often forge this logo.

Finally, realize that if you have already obtained a degree from one of these 32 institutions, it will likely be rejected during Background Verification (BGV) by major corporate employers like TCS, Infosys, or Google. You should immediately look for bridge courses or distance education from recognized bodies like IGNOU to secure your academic standing. Before paying any “admission fee” or “counselling fee,” check if the university has a physical campus and a permanent faculty.

What’s Next

The Ministry of Education is expected to coordinate with state police departments to begin a physical crackdown on these 32 locations by late March 2026. Then, a new “Student Protection Bill” is rumored to be in the works to provide a path for compensation for students defrauded by these entities. Finally, look for the updated National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in June to identify the safest bets for your higher education journey.

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