Question : FAKE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

(a) whether a large number of fake universities and educational/technical institutes are functioning in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Union Government has assessd the number of students suffered or affected by these fake educational institutions and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of the action taken against such fake universities/institutes; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to safeguard the interests of the students pursuing studies therein?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Dr. SHASHI THAROOR)

(a) & (b): The University Grants Commission (UGC) identifies and notifies from time to time, a list of fake universities and unapproved institutions in the country. The UGC has notified 21 fake universities. The State-wise details of these institutions are available on the UGC website: www.ugc.ac.in. The name of Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow has been placed in the footnote of the list of Fake Universities as the matter is sub judice before the District Judge, Lucknow. Similarly, the name of Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) has been removed from the list of Fake Universities due to a Court Order. The UGC issued a “Public Notice” separately on its unrecognized status.

(c): No, Madam.

(d) & (e): The UGC has reported that it has written to all the Chief Secretaries, Home Secretaries and Education Secretaries of all states to check the menace of fake universities and take necessary action against them. The UGC has also addressed all the Education Secretaries in States and Union Territories to initiate a drive against institutions offering degrees without approval of the competent authority like the UGC, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Distance Education Council (DEC) in the States/Union Territories. The UGC issues ‘Public Notice’, ‘Press Release’ and advertisements for the awareness of the general public/students in the leading daily newspapers at the beginning of each academic session, cautioning aspiring students not to seek admission in such institutions. Further, the Central Government has introduced “The Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Technical Educational Institutions, Medical Educational Institutions and Universities Bill, 2010” in Parliament for the prohibition and punishment of certain unfair practices in technical educational institutions, medical educational institutions and universities. The scope of unfair practices as defined in the Bill includes the grant of degrees by institutions not authorized to grant degrees.