The University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 32 unrecognised institutions operating across India. These universities lack legal authority to award degrees. The warning was issued in May 2026 .
Most of these fake institutions are located in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Students enrolling in 2026 should verify university accreditation. Degrees from unrecognised institutions have no validity.
UGC Identifies 32 Fake Universities
The UGC has blacklisted 32 universities as of May 2026. These institutions violate the University Grants Commission Act of 1956. They are not authorized to issue degrees or diplomas.
The UGC has compiled a list of these institutions. It covers 12 states and union territories. Students must exercise caution during the admission process.
How to Verify University Legitimacy
Students should check a university's accreditation status. Visit the official UGC website: www.ugc.gov.in . Look for accreditation under Sections 2(f) or 3 of the UGC Act.
Professional programs require specific accreditations. These come from bodies like the AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) and NCTE (National Council for Teacher Education).
State-Wise List of Unrecognised Institutions
The following table lists states with unrecognised institutions:
| State | Count | Key Blacklisted Institutions |
| Delhi | 12 | Commercial University Ltd., United Nations University, ADR-Centric Juridical University, Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University) |
| Uttar Pradesh | 4 | Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University, Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad (Lucknow) |
| Andhra Pradesh | 2 | Christ New Testament Deemed University, Bible Open University of India |
| West Bengal | 2 | Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research |
| Karnataka | 2 | Sarva Bharatiya Shiksha Peeth, Global Human Peace University (Bengaluru) |
| Others | 10 | Institutions in Kerala, Maharashtra, Puducherry. New additions include Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh (1-2 each). |
The UGC regularly updates its list of unrecognised institutions. Students should consult this list before applying.
