Quick Facts
- UGC named 32 fake universities in its latest list published in February 2026.
- Delhi tops the list with 12 institutions, followed by Uttar Pradesh with four.
- Degrees from these bodies hold no value; verify any university on the UGC website first.
In This Article
The fake universities list released by the University Grants Commission (UGC) names 32 unrecognised institutions across India as of February 2026, with degrees from them holding no legal value.
The Ministry of Education confirmed the count in the Rajya Sabha on August 5, 2026. Minister of State for Education Dr. Sukanta Majumdar shared the figure in a written reply. He said the Centre has asked all states and Union Territories to take legal action, including filing FIRs, against these bodies. Full details sit on the official UGC fake university page.
Key Takeaways
- The number of fake universities has risen to 32, up from 21 institutions flagged two years ago.
- Delhi accounts for 12 of the 32 bodies, making it the state with the highest count by a wide margin.
- Any degree from a listed institution is invalid for jobs, government posts, and further studies.
- Students must check the UGC recognition status of any programme before paying fees or enrolling.
CampusFeed Take
The rise from 21 to 32 fake universities in two years is the real story here, not the raw number. It signals that fresh entities keep opening faster than states can shut them. Parents in tier-2 and tier-3 towns should watch closest, since these are the students most often targeted by low-fee online degree offers. The next flashpoint is admission season through mid-2026, when franchise-style EdTech tie-ups push hardest. A single UGC website check before payment can prevent a wasted year and lost savings. By Harshvardhan Jain.
Fake Universities List: State-Wise Count
The fake universities list is a state-wise record of institutions that award degrees without UGC authority. As of February 2026, it holds 32 names across 12 states and Union Territories. The table below shows the spread reported for the current list.
| State / UT | Number of Fake Universities |
|---|---|
| Delhi | 12 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 4 |
| Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh | 2 each |
| Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh | 1 each |
| Total | 32 |
Delhi alone holds more than one-third of the entire fake universities list, a concentration the UGC has flagged for several years running.
About the University Grants Commission (UGC)
The University Grants Commission (UGC) is India’s apex higher education regulator, set up under the UGC Act, 1956. It works under the Ministry of Education and oversees degree standards across more than 1,000 universities nationwide. Its Anti-Malpractice Cell, formed on May 30, 1996, handles fake and unrecognised institutions. The UGC also maintains recognition data on its official website.
Who Does This UGC Warning Apply To?
The UGC warning applies to every student, parent, and stakeholder considering a degree or diploma programme in India. The regulator stated that self-styled institutions functioning against the UGC Act are declared fake and cannot confer any degrees. Students who enrol lose both money and academic recognition.
“To take legal action for the closure of these institutions, and to take appropriate action against those involved in defrauding and cheating students,” the Ministry of Education told the Rajya Sabha.
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar added that states and Union Territories have been asked to lodge FIRs where needed. The UGC advised all students to verify credentials on its portal before applying for admission.
Why UGC Also Flagged EdTech Firms
Alongside the fake universities list, the UGC flagged EdTech companies running misleading advertisements. It noticed some firms advertising degree and diploma programmes in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) or online modes through tie-ups with recognised universities. The UGC public notice made clear that such franchisee arrangements are not permissible, and any degree issued this way carries no UGC recognition. The regulator said action will follow against defaulting EdTech firms and institutions under applicable laws. Students should confirm programme status on the UGC Distance Education Bureau (DEB) portal before enrolling in any online course.
What This Means For You
If you are a student
Before you pay any fee, search the university name on the official UGC website and check both the approved list and the fake universities list. If a degree offer sounds cheap, fast, or too easy, treat it as a warning sign. A degree from a listed body will not count for jobs or higher studies.
If you are a parent
Ask for the institution’s UGC recognition status in writing before signing anything. Be extra careful with online or distance programmes sold through third-party EdTech firms. Verify the tie-up directly on the UGC DEB portal, not on the seller’s website or advertisement.
Turn Your Achievements Into Stories That Students Actually Read
Feature admissions, placements, rankings, events, research initiatives, achievements, and institutional milestones before a highly engaged education-focused audience.
If you run a college or university
Ensure your ODL or online offerings follow UGC entitlement rules and avoid franchise-style arrangements with EdTech platforms. The UGC has said it will act against institutions found in breach. Keep your recognition documents current and publicly visible to build student trust.
If you work in policy or media
The jump from 21 to 32 fake universities in two years is a trackable trend worth reporting each cycle. Watch how many states actually file FIRs, since past listings saw slow follow-through. State-level enforcement data will show whether the crackdown has real teeth.
What Is Next
States and Union Territories must now act on the Centre’s request to file FIRs and close listed bodies. Watch for these near-term steps:
- State enforcement action against listed institutions through 2026.
- Fresh UGC public notices during the peak admission season.
- A likely updated fake universities list in the next annual review cycle.
Have you checked whether your shortlisted university appears on the official UGC list yet?
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: August 06, 2026 at 11:30 IST
Last verified: August 06, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information at the time of publishing. Exam dates, cutoffs, fees, deadlines, eligibility criteria, and scholarship details can change without notice. Always verify the latest information from the official portal of UGC before taking any action. CampusFeed and its authors are not responsible for decisions made based on this article. This is not legal, financial, or career advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual guidance.
Written by Harshvardhan Jain. Published: August 06, 2026. Updated: August 06, 2026. Have a tip or correction? Write to us at editorial@campusfeed.in.
