UGC Flags 32 Fake Universities Across India

Delhi tops list as fraudulent institutions rise by 60% in two years

February 21, 2026: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a fresh list of 32 fake universities operating illegally across India, warning students and parents against enrolling in these institutions. The number marks a sharp 60% increase from 20 such entities in 2024 to 32 in February 2026. The commission clarified that these “self-styled” bodies have no authority to grant degrees under Section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956, and qualifications issued by them will be invalid for government jobs or higher education.

Delhi has emerged as the biggest hub, with 12 of the 32 identified institutions located in the national capital. Many of these operate from small offices in areas such as Rohini, Pitampura and Daryaganj, projecting themselves as legitimate universities. Among the names flagged are United Nations University, Vocational University, ADR-Centric Juridical University, All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPHS), and Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya. Uttar Pradesh follows with four fake institutions, while states including West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala have two or more each.

The UGC has urged students to verify the status of institutions through its official website before seeking admission and to check approvals from statutory bodies like AICTE or NCTE where applicable. It cautioned against misleading claims such as “International Partner” or “Open University,” stressing that shortcuts to degrees from unrecognised institutions could severely harm students’ academic and professional futures.