UGC Warns Against Fake 'University of Colombo' Degrees in India, Terms Them Invalid

UGC has taken action after a fake advertisement, has been circulated in regional languages like Marathi, promoting an honorary doctorate event in Pune, Maharashtra.

University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a public notice warning students, parents, and general public against falling prey to advertisements offering fake degrees, including honorary doctorates, in name of “University of Colombo” within India.

UGC has clarified that no university by name “University of Colombo” is recognised to operate in India or offer any undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral programmes, whether in regular, distance, or online mode. Any such claim or advertisement, therefore, is fraudulent and legally invalid, it said.

“It is hereby brought to the notice of students, parents and the general public that no University in the name of University of Colombo exists in India in the list of UGC-recognized universities,” the official UGC notification stated.

This action was triggered by a fake advertisement—believed to have been circulated in vernacular languages like Marathi—promoting an honorary doctorate event in Pune, Maharashtra. The UGC confirmed that the advertisement was misleading, as the use of the name “University of Colombo” gave a false impression of legitimacy, despite a different logo being used.

Real “University of Colombo” Disassociates, Flags Misuse

In a parallel development, the University of Colombo (Sri Lanka), through a formal letter from its Vice Chancellor Prof. Indika Karunathilake, has distanced itself from any such activities in India and termed the misuse of its name as “unauthorised and illegal”.

“These actions are being conducted without any authority or affiliation with our university and are in violation of intellectual property and higher education regulations,” Prof. Karunathilake wrote in a letter addressed to the UGC Secretary.

Sri Lankan university raised concerns over fraudulent entities issuing honorary doctorates using its name, thereby misleading the public and tarnishing the institution’s reputation. It confirmed that it does not endorse, authorise, or operate any such events or affiliations in India.

Vice Chancellor urged UGC to initiate immediate legal and regulatory action and to involve law enforcement or cybercrime authorities, if required.