Ahead of the admission season, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has updated its list of fake universities operating across India as of February 2026. A total of 32 institutions across 12 states and Union territories have been flagged as unauthorised. Delhi accounts for the highest number, with 12 institutions on the list.The latest addition is Global Human Peace University, located in Bengaluru.In a public notice, the UGC stated: “This has come to the notice of UGC that Global Human Peace University, #1035, 4th Block, Near Golden Heights Dr. Rajkumar Road, Rajali Nagar, Bengaluru-560010 (Karnataka) is awarding degrees in violation of UGC Act, 1956. The UGC has included its name in the UGC list of Fake Universities.”The regulator further clarified that the institution “is neither recognized by UGC under Section 2(f)/ Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 nor approved by AICTE and any other statutory body. Hence, it is not entitled to award any degree/diploma.”It added that “any degree/diploma awarded by this institute so far is not valid for Higher Education/ Government employment purposes” and cautioned students and parents “NOT TO TAKE ADMISSION in the above-mentioned self-styled institution. Taking admission in such self-styled institution may jeopardize the career of the students.”
What the list represents
Under the UGC Act, 1956, only universities established by an Act of Parliament or a state legislature, or those declared “deemed to be university” under Section 3 of the Act, are legally authorised to award degrees. Any institution operating outside this framework does not have the authority to grant recognised qualifications, regardless of its name or branding.Degrees issued by institutions on the fake list cannot be used for government employment, higher education admissions, or other formal recognition.The Commission has written to higher education departments and principal secretaries of the concerned state governments, urging them to initiate appropriate legal action.
State-wise distribution
Delhi continues to have the largest concentration of flagged institutions. These include:
- All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences
- Commercial University Ltd., Daryaganj
- United Nations University
- Vocational University
- ADR-Centric Juridical University
- Indian Institute of Science and Engineering
- Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment
- Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya
- World Peace of United Nations University
- Institute of Management and Engineering
Other states listed in the February 2026 update include Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Puducherry.Four states, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Arunachal Pradesh, appear as new additions this year.In an earlier notice issued in March 2022, the Commission had also identified institutions in Karnataka and Kerala as fake, including Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society in Gokak, Karnataka, and St. John’s University in Kerala.
Why this matters before admissions
The release of the list just ahead of the admission cycle serves as a warning. For students evaluating offers and applications, the difference between a recognised university and an unauthorised entity may not always be evident from websites or promotional material.The legal position, however, is clear. Institutions not established or recognised under the UGC Act cannot award valid degrees. Any enrolment in such institutions carries the risk that the qualification will not be accepted for employment or further study.The February 2026 update places that risk in concrete terms. Thirty-two institutions remain outside the legal framework governing higher education in India.List of fake universities released by the UGC is available here.
