12 Fake Universities Shut Down Since 2014: Education Ministry in Lok Sabha

UGC has declared 21 universities as “fake” and not empowered to confer any degree, a majority of which were in Delhi followed by Uttar Pradesh

The Ministry of Education has informed the Parliament that since 2014, 12 out of 21 fake universities listed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) have been closed.

While replying to a question on whether the UGC has declared 21 universities as “fake” and not empowered to confer any degree, a majority of which were in Delhi followed by Uttar Pradesh, the Ministry confirmed that at least 21 self-styled, unrecognised institutions had been operating in contravention of the UGC Act and violating UGC guidelines. These universities had been declared fake by the UGC, and necessary action was being taken against them.

The list of fake universities is available on the UGC website at https://www.ugc.gov.in/universitydetails/Fakeuniversity. Maintenance of law and order is a state subject, and the Central Government has requested the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories to take legal action for the closure of these institutions and to act against those involved in defrauding and misleading students. The state governments have also been asked to inform the Centre and the UGC if there are additional fake universities operating in their jurisdictions.

Apart from issuing public notices for general awareness through social media and the UGC website, the following steps have also been taken by the UGC and the Government against fake universities:

1. The UGC and the Government have requested all State/UT Chief Secretaries to take appropriate action against institutions fraudulently misrepresenting themselves as universities, awarding degrees, and using the term “University” unlawfully.
   ii. FIRs have been lodged against several self-styled institutions/universities.
   iii. Show Cause Notices/Warning Notices have been issued to unauthorized institutes awarding invalid degrees.

As a result of these efforts, 12 fake universities have been shut down since 2014, informed Education Ministry.

The UGC Lists 21 Universities as 'Fake', listed below:

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