UGC Issues Warning to Colleges on Fake Degree Scams. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a public notice regarding the fake degree scams performed by colleges and universities. The notice has been published on the official website to alert students about the ongoing fraudulent academic practices. There are many colleges that are performing this illegal act. Students are also advised to check the identity of the university before applying for admission. To know more about the topic “UGC Issues Warning to Colleges on Fake Degree Scams,” read the complete article.
UGC Issues Warning to Colleges on Fake Degree Scams
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a public notice warning students, parents, and the general public about fake universities granting unrecognized degrees. The regulatory body has emphasized that only institutions established under a State Act, Central Act, or Provincial Act, or those empowered under the UGC Act, 1956, are legally authorized to award degrees. There are a lot of examples where the universities were found to be fake. The students who studied in them and got their degrees are struggling to find a job, as the employers recognize the fake degree.
The notice further said, “The UGC has come to know that several institutions are awarding degrees in violation of the provision made in the UGC Act. Degrees issued by such institutions will not be accepted or will not be considered for purposes of higher studies and employment.” Despite the regulations, some institutions have been found violating the rules and providing degrees that hold no validity for higher education or employment purposes.
To help students avoid becoming prey to such fraudulent universities, the UGC has advised them to verify the authenticity of universities through its official website, www.ugc.ac.in, before applying for admission. The alert comes after a parliamentary statement by the Ministry of Education, which stated that since 2014, 12 out of 21 fake universities recognized by the UGC have been closed. These self-styled institutions operated without identification, mainly in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, in direct contravention of the UGC Act.
List of Fraudulent Universities
The UGC has listed the following institutions as spurious universities:
Andhra Pradesh: Christ New Testament Deemed University (Guntur), Bible Open University of India (Vishakhpatnam)
Delhi: AIIPHS, Commercial University Ltd., United Nations University, Vocational Universities, ADR-Centric Juridical University, Indian Institute of Science and Engineering, Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment, Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya.
Karnataka: Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society
Kerala: St. John’s University (Kishanattam), International Islamic University of Prophetic Medicine (Kozhikode)
Maharashtra: Raja Arabic University (Nagpur)
Puducherry: Sree Bodhi Academy for Advanced Learning
Uttar Pradesh: Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith (Prayagraj), Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Aligarh), Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad (Lucknow), Mahamaya Technical University (Noida)
West Bengal: Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine (Kolkata), Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research (Kolkata)
How to Verify a Fake University
To avoid becoming a victim of fraudulent institutions, students are advised to follow the steps here and check the recognition of an institution before applying for admission:
Step 1: Visit the official UGC website at ugc.ac.in.
Step 2: Cross-check the list of recognized universities to confirm the institution’s legitimacy.
Step 3: Review the UGC’s list of blacklisted or fake universities.
Step 4: Contact the UGC directly for clarification if an institution’s status is unclear.
How to Report Fake Universities
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has made it easier for the public to report suspected fake institutions. Complaints can be sent via email to [email protected] for further investigation and action. A detailed list of currently identified fake universities is also available on the UGC website under the “Fake Universities List” section.
Government Actions Against Fake Universities
In February, Minister of State for Education Dr. Sukanta Majumdar informed the Lok Sabha that 21 educational institutions were categorized as fake universities on the UGC’s official website. When asked whether these universities were officially declared “fake” and what actions were being taken, the ministry stated that maintaining law and order is a duty of state governments. As a result, the central government has urged all state Chief Secretaries and Union Territory administrators to take appropriate steps to shut down these institutions and take severe action against those misleading students. Since 2014, 12 fake universities have been shut down as part of these efforts.
Mark Delyn focuses on education, learning methods, and academic trends. Her work supports students, educators, and lifelong learners with practical and timely insights.
