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

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

The UGC has categorically clarified that no university by the 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.

The 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.

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

UGC Cautions Against Falling for Fake Degrees

The UGC has stated that as per Section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956, only recognised universities are authorised to award degrees in India, and such degrees must conform to the nomenclature specified by the commission. Hence, any degree—especially an honorary doctorate—claimed to be awarded by “University of Colombo” in India is invalid for academic progression or employment.

Students and parents have been advised to verify the list of recognised universities on the official UGC website (www.ugc.ac.in) and avoid falling victim to degree scams, which continue to surface under new names and formats.

The UGC also warned that degrees issued by such unauthorised entities will not be accepted for higher education admissions, public sector jobs, or legal validation in India.