Fake universities are institutions that falsely claim to offer legitimate degrees without any formal recognition from the appropriate regulatory authorities. They exploit aspiring students by providing unauthorised certifications that hold no academic or professional value. Such entities often operate under misleading names, creating confusion amongst students.
The UGC has warned students about these fake universities, emphasizing that degrees conferred by them lack recognition for employment or further education. Students are advised to verify the legitimacy of universities before seeking admission.
The magnitude of the problem can be judged from the fact that Manav Bharti University in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, sold 36,000 fake degrees over 11 years.
Also Read: Illegitimate degrees, fatal consequences: fake doctors licenced to kill in Madhya Pradesh
In yet another case, the Rajasthan government unearthed a massive fake degree scam linked to OPJS University in Churu which has allegedly issued over 43,000 fake and backdated degrees, to job aspirants across 19 states in India and Nepal. OPJS University was only allowed 100 seats, making it impossible for it to issue so many genuine degrees.
The scandal came to light about 2-3 years ago when 1,300 applicants for the physical training instructor (PTI) exam submitted degrees from OPJS University. This cast an aspersion on the legality and genuineness of academic qualifications held by many government servants. To dig deeper into this, the state government ordered a probe into approximately 3 lakh recruitments in government jobs over the past five years. Investigations revealed a nexus between the university and education mafia involved in exam paper leaks and other such malpractices.
During the investigation, the police found the university had only 30 staff members on its payroll and its campus was always deserted.
The university’s founder-owner Joginder Singh Dalal, has been arrested for his suspected involvement in the scam.
List of Fake Universities in India as of May 2024, as per UGC:
| Sr No | State | University Name |
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | Christ New Testament Deemed University, #32-32-2003, 7th Lane, Kakumanuvarithoto, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh-522002 and Fit No. 301, Grace Villa Apts., 7/5, Srinagar, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh-522002 |
| 2 | Andhra Pradesh | Bible Open University of India, H.No. 49-35-26, N.G.O’s Colony, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh-530016 |
| 3 | Delhi | All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPHS) State Government University, Office Kh. No. 608-609, 1st Floor, Sant Kripal Singh Public Trust Building, Near BDO Office, Alipur, Delhi-110036 |
| 4 | Delhi | Commercial University Ltd., Daryaganj, Delhi. |
| 5 | Delhi | United Nations University, Delhi |
| 6 | Delhi | Vocational University, Delhi |
| 7 | Delhi | ADR-Centric Juridical University, ADR House, 8J, Gopala Tower, 25 Rajendra Place, New Delhi – 110 008 |
| 8 | Delhi | Indian Institute of Science and Engineering, New Delhi |
| 9 | Delhi | Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment, Rozgar Sewasadan, 672, Sanjay Enclave, Opp. GTK Depot, Delhi-110033 |
| 10 | Delhi | Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University), 351-352, Phase-I, Block-A, Vijay Vihar, Rithala, Rohini, Delhi-110085 |
| 11 | Karnataka | Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society, Gokak, Belgaum, Karnataka |
| 12 | Kerala | St. John’s University, Kishanattam, Kerala |
| 13 | Kerala | International Islamic University of Prophetic Medicine (IIUPM), Kunnamangalam Kozhikode, Kerala-673571 |
| 14 | Maharashtra | Raja Arabic University, Nagpur, Maharashtra |
| 15 | Puducherry | Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education, No. 186, Thilaspet, Vazhuthavoor Road, Puducherry-605009 |
| 16 | Uttar Pradesh | Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh |
| 17 | Uttar Pradesh | Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), Achaltal, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh |
| 18 | Uttar Pradesh | Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Bharat Bhawan, Matiyari Chinhat, Faizabad Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – 227 105 |
| 19 | Uttar Pradesh | Mahamaya Technical University, PO – Maharishi Nagar , Distt. Gb Nagar , Opp. Sec 110 , Sector 110 , Noida – 201304 |
| 20 | West Bengal | Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, Kolkatta |
| 21 | West Bengal | Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research, 8-A, Diamond Harbour Road, Builtech Inn, 2nd Floor, Thakurpurkur, Kolkatta – 700063 |
