Education is in the concurrent list and both the Central Government and the State Governments work together for development of education in India. University Grants Commission (UGC) periodically publishes a list of fake Universities in India. As per the latest list published in February, 2026, 32 institutions have been identified as fake Universities.

The list of fake Universities is available on the website of UGC at:

https://www.ugc.gov.in/universitydetails/Fakeuniversity.

The following actions have been undertaken by UGC with regard to self-styled or fake Universities:

1. Issued clarifications/compliance letters/show-cause/warning notices to the fake institutions.
2. Issued Public Notices on the UGC website to caution Students and Public at Large against such self-styled institutions.
3. Letters have been issued to the Chief Secretaries, Education Secretaries and Principal Secretaries of the concerned States/UTs, requesting them to take suitable action against such self-styled fake universities/institutions and to register FIR against these self-styled educational institutions which are operating in violation of the UGC Act, 1956.

Further, the Central Government has requested the Chief Secretaries of all State Governments and UT Administrations to take legal action for the closure of these institutions, and to take appropriate action against those involved in defrauding and cheating students by misrepresenting themselves as "Universities," awarding degrees, and using the word "University" with their name. They were also requested to inform the Central Government/UGC of any other fake universities functioning in their States/UTs that are not included in the UGC's list of fake universities.

This information was given by Minister of State for Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, in wriiten reply in the Rajya Sabha today. 

******

RRTN