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. Delhi tops the list with the highest number of such entities at 12, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 4. The fake universities are spread across 12 States. The number represents a notable increase from previous years, rising from 20 in 2023 and 22 in 2025.
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.
These universities do not have the authority to award degrees under the UGC Act of 1956. The Commission has cautioned students from taking admission in them stating the degrees do not have any professional value.
The following 12 universities in Delhi figure in the fake category – World Peace of United Nations University (in Pitampura); Institute of Management and Engineering (Mubarakpur); All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences State Government University (Alipur); Commerical University (Daryaganj); United Nations University; Vocational University; ADR Centric Juridical University (Rajendra Place); Indian Institute of Science and Engineering, New Delhi; Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment (Sanjay Enclave); Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Rohini); National Institute of Management Solution (Janakpuri) and Mountain Institute of Management and Technology (Nehru Place).
Uttar Pradesh holds the second spot with four such universities.In October 2025, the UGC had released a list of 22 fake universities and Delhi had ten of them. In March 2023, the UGC had released a list of 20 fake institutions and Delhi topped the list during that time with eight of them. The overall number of fake universities have now shot up by 12 within nearly three years. The Commission had also written letters to the Education departments of various States asking them to take appropriate action against them.
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.
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