The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a fresh public warning asking students, parents and employers to remain alert against three institutions that are operating as universities without legal
approval. The commission said these institutions are offering and awarding degrees even though they are not authorised to do so under Indian law.
The three institutions named by the UGC are NIMS, Delhi; Sarva Bharatiya Shiksha Peeth, Karnataka; and National Backward Krushi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra. The commission has clarified that degrees awarded by these institutions are not valid and will not be accepted for higher education, government jobs or employment in the private sector.
UGC has advised students to verify the recognition status of any institution before taking admission. The warning is part of the commission’s ongoing effort to update and publicise its list of fake universities—institutions that misuse the term “university” despite not being recognised under the UGC Act, 1956. According to the commission, none of these institutions are recognised under Section 2(f) or declared as deemed-to-be universities under Section 3 of the Act, which are mandatory requirements to award degrees in India.
In its official notification, the UGC said, “This has come to the notice of UGC that National Backward Krushi Vidypeeth, Tadwal, Tal Akkalkot, District-Solapur, Maharshtra is awarding degrees in violation of UGC Act,1956. The UGC has included its name in the UGC list of Fake Universities. It is informed that National Backward Krushi Vidypeeth is neither recognised by UGC under Section 2(f) / Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 nor approved by AICTE and any other statutory body.”
Regarding Sarva Bharatiya Shiksha Peeth, the commission stated, “Sarva Bharatiya Shiksha Peeth, Near S. K. Choultary, Devanur Main Road, Vijaya Nagara, Tumkur-572102, Karnataka, is awarding degrees in violation of UGC Act, 1956. The UGC has included its name in the UGC list of Fake Universities. It is informed that Sarva Bharatiya Shiksha Peeth is neither recognised by UGC under Section 2(f)/ Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 nor approved by AICTE and any other statutory body. Hence, it is not entitled to award any degree/diploma.”
The commission also flagged the National Institute of Management Solution (NIMS), New Delhi, saying, “National Institute of Management Solution, B 1/1 2nd Floor, Janakpuri, New Delhi, now NIMS is neither recognised by UGC under Section 2(f)/ Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 nor entitled to award any degree. Its name has been included in the UGC list of fake universities, which is available on the UGC website.”
“Any degree issued by this institute so far is not valid for Higher Education/ Government Job purposes. National Institute of Management Solutions, B 1/1 IInd Floor, Janakpuri, New Delhi, is not authorised to admit students in any Bachelor/Master degree programmes on behalf of any other university,” mentioned the notification.
The UGC had earlier released a list of 22 such institutions operating without approval and falsely claiming university status. According to the state-wise data, Delhi has the highest number of fake universities with 10, followed by Uttar Pradesh with four. Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and West Bengal have two each, while Maharashtra and Puducherry have one each.
The commission has urged students and parents to regularly check the official UGC website to avoid falling prey to unrecognised institutions.
