UGC Identifies 20 “Fake” Universities, Delhi Tops the List with 8 Institutions

New Delhi, August 3, 2023: In a recent development, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has unmasked 20 universities as “fake” and unauthorized to confer degrees, raising serious concerns about the authenticity of their educational offerings. Among the institutions flagged, Delhi emerges at the forefront with eight universities falling into this disreputable category.

According to UGC Secretary, Manish Joshi, these universities have been flouting the UGC Act by unlawfully granting degrees without the necessary authorization. As a result, the degrees obtained from these institutions will not hold any weight in terms of higher education pursuits or employment prospects, as they lack the official sanction to confer legitimate degrees.

The list of “fake” universities includes eight from Delhi, four from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, and one each from Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Puducherry.

Delhi’s dubious distinction is attributed to institutions such as All India Institute of Public and Physical Health Sciences, Commercial University Ltd, United Nations University, Vocational University, ADR-Centric Juridical University, Indian Institution of Science and Engineering, Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment, and Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University).

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh contributes four universities to the list, namely Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, National University of Electro Complex Homeopathy, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), and Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad.

Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal also come under scrutiny, with Christ New Testament Deemed University and Bible Open University of India in Andhra Pradesh, and Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine and Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research in West Bengal, featuring in the roster of “fake” universities.

Further, the list encompasses Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society (Karnataka), St John’s University (Kerala), Raja Arabic University (Maharashtra), and Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education (Puducherry).

The revelation has sparked concerns among the academic community and students, emphasizing the importance of verifying the legitimacy of educational institutions before enrolling. The UGC’s proactive stance in identifying these unaccredited universities serves as a critical reminder to prioritize quality and credibility in the pursuit of education.