SRINAGAR: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 32 institutions as fake universities across India, with the latest list published in February 2026, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar said in a written reply that the Central Government has asked states and Union Territories to initiate legal action against such institutions and take steps for their closure.
According to the Ministry of Education, the UGC periodically publishes a list of institutions operating as self-styled or fake universities. The latest list, issued in February 2026, contains 32 institutions.
The minister said the UGC has issued clarification and compliance letters, show-cause notices and warnings to institutions identified as fake universities. It has also published public notices on its website to caution students and the general public against enrolling in such institutions.
The UGC has separately written to the Chief Secretaries, Education Secretaries and Principal Secretaries of the concerned states and Union Territories, seeking appropriate action against institutions operating in violation of the UGC Act, 1956.
The authorities have also been requested to register FIRs against such institutions where they are found to be operating in violation of the law.
The Central Government has further asked the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territory administrations to take legal measures for closure of the identified institutions and initiate appropriate action against those involved in allegedly defrauding students by falsely presenting themselves as universities, awarding degrees or using the word “University” in their names.
States and Union Territories have also been asked to inform the Central Government and the UGC about any other fake universities operating within their jurisdictions that are not included in the commission’s existing list.
Majumdar said education is a subject in the Concurrent List, under which both the Central and state governments have responsibilities for the development of education in the country.
The latest list of fake universities is available on the UGC website.
