UGC Issued List of 32 Fake Universities in 2026

Check the list of fake universities in India 2026 released by the University Grants Commission. Explore the state-wise list of 32 fake universities, learn how to verify university recognition, and understand why checking UGC, National Assessment and Accreditation Council, and All India Council for Technical Education approvals is important before admission.

32 Fake Universities as per UGC Data

List of Fake Universities in India: Fake educational institutions continue to operate in different parts of the country, creating confusion for students seeking higher education. The University Grants Commission has released a state-wise list of fake universities as of February 2026, which includes 32 institutions across India.

According to the list, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh have the highest number of such unauthorised institutions. Students are advised to carefully verify a university’s recognition before taking admission. Degrees issued by fake universities are not legally valid and are not accepted by employers, regulatory authorities like the UGC, or recognised higher education institutions. Candidates can check the complete list of fake universities in India below.

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32 Fake Universities in 2026 by UGC

Provided below is the list of institutions that have been identified in the University Grants Commission fake universities list as of February 2026.

UGC publishes this list from time to time so that high school and college graduates are not tricked into taking admission to these fake institutes. The names on this list are not registered with the UGC, they are not legally allowed to give out degrees or certificates to students and have no legal authorisation. The degrees and certificates obtained from these institutes hold no value in the eyes of the Indian Government and in the professional scene. 

University Accreditations 

Several regulatory bodies have been formed to ensure that a university is legally recognised. These bodies ensure that the quality of education and other standards are maintained across institutes. They provide universities with accreditations and recognition so that students and other stakeholders are aware of the legal status of these institutions. Bodies from which you must check for accreditations for a university are listed below. 

• National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) - Established in 1994, this autonomous body assesses and accredits universities and colleges in the country. Their operation works through a General Council (GC) and an Executive Committee (EC). The parameters on which the assessments are done include the teaching-learning process, student support, infrastructure, etc. 
• National Board of Accreditation (NBA): Established by the All India Council for Technical Education in 1994, the NBA has functioned as an autonomous body since 2010. Unlike NAAC, it accredits specific academic programmes offered by institutions rather than accrediting the institutions as a whole.
• All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE): This regulatory body is responsible for the approval and evaluation of technical institutions across India.
• University Grants Commission (UGC): UGC grants recognition to universities and also provides financial assistance, policy guidance, and regulatory oversight.
• Discipline-Specific Accreditation Bodies: Several regulatory authorities oversee accreditation for specific professional courses and institutions. These include the National Medical Commission, Bar Council of India, and Pharmacy Council of India.

How to Recognise a Fake University in India?

Consider the following points while determining if a university is fake. 

• Refer to the list provided above. 
• Take a look at the university website and visit the physical campus if possible. Look for a professional-looking website. Accreditations must be listed or mentioned (usually in the ‘About’ section) on the website. Look for outdated information, excessive use of stock images, typos and errors. Most legitimate websites don’t have them at all, or they have very few of those.
• Verify the contact details provided on their websites. They must be easily reachable, and the responses must be prompt and insightful. 
• If there’s a faculty list available, check out their credentials on LinkedIn.
• Be cautious of exaggerated claims and advertising like ‘Guaranteed Placements’, ‘Instant Admission’ or exceptionally low fees. 
• Seek reviews and feedback. Get Googling and asking questions on Quora or Reddit.

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