Fake universities in India are unaccredited institutions that award degrees without legal authority, contravening the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act. They mislead students and parents with false promises, resulting in worthless degrees and significant financial and academic losses. The UGC regularly publishes updated lists of these fraudulent institutions to warn the public.
Consequences of enrolling in fake universities
- Invalid degrees: Degrees from fake universities are not recognized by employers, legitimate academic institutions, or government bodies for employment or further studies.
- Wasted time and money: Students and their families invest valuable resources into a qualification that holds no legal or professional value, hindering their career progress.
- Vulnerable to fraud: These institutions often engage in deceptive practices, such as making bold promises, to exploit students. Some have even been linked to more serious crimes.
- Legal complications: Students, particularly international students, could face legal issues, such as visa problems, for attending an unaccredited institution.
Red flags for identifying fake universitie
- High-pressure sales tactics: Be wary of institutions that promise guaranteed placements or instant admissions without a proper selection process.
- Misleading claims: Fraudulent universities often make exaggerated claims about their facilities, faculty, or reputation.
- Poor infrastructure: Many fake universities operate from small, inconspicuous, or inadequate premises.
- Low fees with unrealistic returns: Offering courses at unusually low fees while promising high career returns can be a sign of a scam.
- Absence of accreditation details: Legitimate universities clearly display their affiliations and recognition on their websites. Fake ones often lack this information or display outdated or false affiliations.
- Generic or unprofessional websites: Look for typos, errors, and an overuse of stock photos on the university's website.
How to verify a university's legitimacy
- Check the UGC website: Visit the official UGC website at
ugc.gov.in. Under the "Universities" section, you can find lists of all recognized Central, State, Private, and Deemed-to-be Universities. - Refer to the UGC's "Fake University" list: The UGC regularly updates and publishes a list of universities that have been declared fake. Check this list to ensure your prospective institution is not on it.
- Cross-verify with other regulatory bodies: For technical programs, check if the institution is approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) on their official website. For medical courses, check with the National Medical Commission.
- Use official verification portals: Check for your degree on digital verification platforms like the National Academic Depository (NAD) and DigiLocker, which store academic awards in digital form.
- Examine the degree certificate: Be cautious of certificates with spelling errors, improper logos, or generic paper quality. Genuine degrees include security features like holograms and embossed seals.
Fake university list Below
| Sr.No. | State | University Name & Address |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | Christ New Testament Deemed University, #32-32-2003, 7th Lane, Kakumanuvarithoto, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh-522002 and another address of Christ New Testament Deemed University, Fit No. 301, Grace Villa Apts., 7/5, Srinagar, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh-522002 |
| 2 | Andhra Pradesh | Bible Open University of India, H.No. 49-35-26, N.G.O’s Colony, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh-530016 |
| 3 | Delhi | All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPHS) State Government University, Office Kh. No. 608-609, 1st Floor, Sant Kripal Singh Public Trust Building, Near BDO Office, Alipur, Delhi-110036 |
| 4 | Delhi | Commercial University Ltd., Daryaganj, Delhi. |
| 5 | Delhi | United Nations University, Delhi |
| 6 | Delhi | Vocational University, Delhi |
| 7 | Delhi | ADR-Centric Juridical University, ADR House, 8J, Gopala Tower, 25 Rajendra Place, New Delhi - 110 008 |
| 8 | Delhi | Indian Institute of Science and Engineering, New Delhi |
| 9 | Delhi | Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment, Rozgar Sewasadan, 672, Sanjay Enclave, Opp. GTK Depot, Delhi-110033 |
| 10 | Delhi | Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University), 351-352, Phase-I, Block-A, Vijay Vihar, Rithala, Rohini, Delhi-110085 |
| 11 | Delhi | World Peace of United Nations University (WPUNU), No.-201, 2st Floor, Best Business Park, Netaji Subhash Place, Pitampura, New Delhi-110034 |
| 12 | Kerala | International Islamic University of Prophetic Medicine (IIUPM), Kunnamangalam Kozhikode, Kerala-673571 |
| 13 | Kerala | St. John’s University, Kishanattam, Kerala |
| 14 | Maharashtra | Raja Arabic University, Nagpur, Maharashtra |
| 15 | Puducherry | Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education, No. 186, Thilaspet, Vazhuthavoor Road, Puducherry-605009 |
| 16 | Uttar Pradesh | Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh |
| 17 | Uttar Pradesh | Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), Achaltal, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh |
| 18 | Uttar Pradesh | Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Bharat Bhawan, Matiyari Chinhat, Faizabad Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – 227 105 |
| 19 | Uttar Pradesh | Mahamaya Technical University, PO - Maharishi Nagar , Distt. Gb Nagar , Opp. Sec 110 , Sector 110 , Noida - 201304 |
| 20 | West Bengal | Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, Kolkatta. |
| 21 | West Bengal | Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research,8-A, Diamond Harbour Road, Builtech inn, 2nd Floor, Thakurpurkur, Kolkatta - 700063 |