The University Grants Commission (UGC) has flagged a few universities in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Maharashtra, Karnataka,
and Kerala. These 22 universities have been accused of functioning without proper recognition and falsely presenting themselves as legitimate universities. According to the list shared by the Commission as of October 2025, Delhi has the highest number of such fake universities, followed by Uttar Pradesh. The most recent one to be flagged is the Institute of Management and Engineering in Kotla Mubarakpur, Delhi. The UGC clarified that this institute is neither established under any Central or State Act nor recognised under Sections 2(f) or 3 of the UGC Act. Check full list of such fake universities flagged by UGC:
| State / UT | University Name |
|---|---|
| Delhi | All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPHS) State Government University |
| Commercial University Ltd., Daryaganj, Delhi | |
| United Nations University, Delhi | |
| Vocational University, Delhi | |
| ADR-Centric Juridical University, ADR House, 8J, Gopala Tower, 25 Rajendra Place, New Delhi – 110008 | |
| Indian Institute of Science and Engineering, New Delhi | |
| Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment, Rozgar Sewasadan, 672, Sanjay Enclave, Opp. GTK Depot, Delhi – 110033 | |
| Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University), Rithala, Rohini, Delhi – 110085 | |
| World Peace of United Nations University (WPUNU), Pitampura, New Delhi – 110034 | |
| Institute of Management and Engineering, 1810/4, 1st Floor, Kotla Mubarakpur | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh |
| Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), Achaltal, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh | |
| Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Bharat Bhawan, Matiyari Chinhat, Faizabad Road, Lucknow – 227105 | |
| Mahamaya Technical University, PO – Maharishi Nagar, Sector 110, Noida – 201304 | |
| Andhra Pradesh | Christ New Testament Deemed University |
| Bible Open University of India, H.No. 49-35-26, N.G.O’s Colony, Visakhapatnam – 530016 | |
| West Bengal | Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, Kolkata |
| Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research, 8-A, Diamond Harbour Road | |
| Maharashtra | Raja Arabic University, Nagpur |
| Puducherry | Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education, No. 186, Thilaspet, Vazhuthavoor Road, Puducherry – 605009 |
| Karnataka | Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society, Gokak, Belgaum (Karnataka) |
| Kerala | St. John’s University, Kishanpattam, Kerala |
The two universities in Karnataka and Kerala were sent notices and labelled as 'fake' and 'illegal' in March 2022. UGC has informed students and parents that the above listed universities are not authorised to confer degrees under the UGC Act, 1956, making any qualifications obtained from them academically and professionally invalid.
