The problem of 'fake' universities is growing in India! How to identify them?

Fake universities have become a problem in India. How to identify them? How should students be careful? Find out the key details here..

After completing intermediate or 12th class, students are interested in joining colleges for higher education. However, in recent times, the problem of fake universities has been increasing! There is a risk of students being cheated by fake universities. The degrees offered by these universities are not recognized by the Higher Education Council of India. Therefore, to secure their future, students should make sure whether the university is genuine or not before joining.

How to identify accredited universities?

The University Grants Commission (UGC), which regulates higher education in India , regularly updates a list of fake universities on its official website (ugc.gov.in). Students should definitely check this list before joining any college.

A true university must be recognized by the UGC. Sometimes it may also be recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Only those established under a state law, central law or provincial law are legally authorized to award degrees. Similarly, institutions authorized under the UGC Act, 1956 can also award degrees.

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Characteristics of fake universities..

Some tips to identify fake universities:

Saying that courses will be completed in a much shorter time than usual.

Providing good job guarantees along with low fees.

Running a website without proper details about the faculty or courses.

To ensure the credibility of any institution, it is a good idea to talk to students who are currently studying or have studied at that college.

In March 2025, the UGC released a list of fake universities in states like Delhi, Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. They should be examined.

Students can complain about any unrecognized institution to the email id [email protected]. This will lead to strict action being taken against such institutions.

Thus, students should be alert about fake universities. They should be careful not to be cheated by paying high fees. They should make sure that they do not get fake degrees that will harm their future job opportunities. Before you join a university, make sure of its official recognition.