21 Fake Universities In India, Education Ministry Says; Delhi Has 7, Kerala 2 – Check Complete List

The Ministry of Education has released a list of 21 fake universities across India, cautioning students, parents, and stakeholders against fraudulent institutions. According to the response tabled in Parliament, Delhi leads the list with seven fake universities, followed by Uttar Pradesh with four, and Kerala, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh recording two each. The government has urged state authorities to take strict legal action against such institutions misrepresenting themselves as universities and duping students.

The issue was raised during a Lok Sabha session through questions posed by MPs Sudheer Gupta and Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane. In response, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the University Grants Commission (UGC) maintains a publicly accessible list of fake universities on its website. The minister highlighted that while education regulation falls under the purview of the Central Government, law and order are the responsibility of state governments. Accordingly, the Centre has requested state Chief Secretaries to identify and shut down unauthorised institutions operating under the guise of universities.

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The UGC has identified 21 fake institutions that falsely claim to offer degrees. The seven in Delhi include All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences, Commercial University Ltd., United Nations University, Vocational University, ADR-Centric Juridical University, Indian Institute of Science and Engineering, and Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment. Kerala’s two fake universities are St. John’s University and the International Islamic University of Prophetic Medicine.

Other states with such institutions include Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Puducherry, and West Bengal. Andhra Pradesh lists Christ New Testament Deemed University and Bible Open University of India, while Karnataka is home to Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society in Belgaum. Maharashtra has Raja Arabic University in Nagpur, and Puducherry features Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education.

In Uttar Pradesh, institutions like Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith in Prayagraj, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University in Aligarh, Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad in Lucknow, and Mahamaya Technical University in Noida have been flagged. Meanwhile, West Bengal accounts for Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine and Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research.

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The Education Ministry clarified that multiple actions have been initiated to curb the spread of fake universities. First Information Reports (FIRs) have been lodged against several such institutions, and show cause or warning notices have been issued. The Centre has also directed states and union territories to take appropriate measures to protect students and penalise those responsible for defrauding the public.

Additionally, awareness campaigns have been conducted to alert students and parents about fake universities. Notices have been issued through social media platforms and the UGC website to ensure general awareness. The government has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the education sector by identifying such institutions and preventing further exploitation of students.

The Ministry has urged citizens to verify universities through official UGC platforms before enrolling in any programmes. Students are advised to exercise caution and check credentials thoroughly to avoid falling prey to unauthorised entities awarding invalid degrees. The Education Ministry continues to monitor the situation closely while coordinating with state governments to eradicate this persistent issue.

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