New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday said the University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 32 fake universities across the country and urged states and Union Territories to take strict legal action against institutions operating in violation of the law.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar said the latest list of fake universities was published by the UGC in February 2026 and is available on the regulator’s official website.
The UGC has issued show-cause notices, warning letters and public advisories cautioning students against enrolling in self-styled institutions falsely claiming university status.
The Centre has also written to Chief Secretaries and Education Secretaries of states and Union Territories, directing them to initiate legal proceedings, register FIRs against such institutions and ensure their closure.
The government has further asked states to identify any other fake universities operating within their jurisdictions and report them to the UGC, while taking action against those allegedly cheating students by illegally awarding degrees and misusing the term “university”.
