Campus Times | Lucknow 

As thousands of students prepare for college admissions in 2026, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a serious warning over the growing number of fake universities operating across India. In its latest update released in May 2026, the UGC identified 32 institutions across 12 states and Union Territories that are functioning without legal recognition and are not authorised to award degrees.

The warning has raised major concerns for students and parents, especially in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, where the highest number of such institutions have been reported. Delhi alone accounts for 12 fake universities, while Uttar Pradesh has four institutions on the blacklist, including Lucknow-based Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad.

According to the UGC, these institutions are operating in violation of the UGC Act, 1956, and any degree issued by them will not be considered valid for government jobs, higher education, or professional opportunities.

Uttar Pradesh institutions under scanner

The fake universities identified in Uttar Pradesh include:

• Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith

• Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University

• Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow

• Another institution flagged by the UGC under unauthorized operations

The commission has advised students not to take admission in any institution unless its recognition status is verified through the official UGC website.

Why this matters for students

Education experts say the issue has become more serious with the rising popularity of private institutes and distance learning programmes. Many students unknowingly enroll in institutions that use misleading names and false claims of recognition.

A degree from a fake university can create long-term problems, including:

• Rejection during government job verification

• Invalid qualification for higher studies

• Ineligibility for competitive exams

• Financial loss and wasted academic years

Students seeking admission in technical, teacher-training, law, or management courses have also been advised to check approvals from bodies such as AICTE, NCTE, DEB, and other regulatory authorities.

Delhi has highest number of fake universities

Some of the major institutions listed by the UGC in Delhi include:

• Commercial University Ltd.

• United Nations University

• ADR-Centric Juridical University

• Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University)

Apart from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, institutions from Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Puducherry, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh have also been blacklisted.

Students asked to verify before admission

With admission season underway, officials are urging students to verify whether a university is recognised under Section 2(f) or Section 3 of the UGC Act before paying fees or submitting documents.

Students can check the official recognition status and fake university list on the UGC website before taking admission decisions.

The latest warning serves as a reminder that a recognised degree is not just a certificate — it directly impacts careers, competitive exams, and future employment opportunities.