UGC Warns Students Against Fraudsters Impersonating Officials for Fake Approvals

UGC urged universities and students to exercise caution and report any suspicious emails, calls, or messages that request money or personal details under pretext of UGC affiliations.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a strong public advisory cautioning students, higher education institutions, and the general public against fraudsters posing as UGC officials and offering fake approvals, certifications, or affiliations in exchange for money. The alert was posted on the Commission’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, July 21.

The advisory comes amid growing concerns over the circulation of fake approval letters and certificates by unauthorised individuals. In recent years, several students and private institutions across the country have been duped by scamsters posing as education regulators, sometimes using forged documents or even UGC’s letterhead to appear legitimate.

The Commission reiterated that any correspondence demanding payments or claiming expedited approvals outside the formal process is completely illegitimate and should be immediately reported.

This warning is also a reminder of the risks associated with fake universities and unrecognized degrees, which the UGC continues to monitor. The Commission maintains an updated list of fake institutions and urges students to consult it before enrolling. 

UGC has also asked victims of such frauds to immediately lodge complaints with the local police and cybercrime authorities, in addition to notifying UGC through official channels.

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