Question : Fake Universities

(a) whether University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a list of fake universities
which are self-styled, unrecognized institutions functioning in contravention of the UGC
Act, warned students not to be taken in by their claims and most of these institutions
have been on the UGCs, watch-list for well over a decade, despite the regulator’s Anti-
Malpractice Cell has been taking appropriate legal action against them and if so, the
details thereof;
(b) the steps being taken by the Government to close all the unrecognized colleges
which are on the list so far State-wise;
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to strictly monitor all the colleges to follow
the guidelines of UGC in future to protect the interests of the students also;
(d) whether there are a large number of fake universities that are operating in foreign
countries also; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)
(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. On the basis of complaints received from the students, parents,
general public and also through electronic print media, University Grants Commission
(UGC) has released the list of 24 fake Universities which are offering Degree
programmes without recognition under Section 2(f) and Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.
In addition, two more Institutions namely Indian Institute of Planning and Management
(IIPM), New Delhi and Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow, UP are also not recognized
by the UGC. The details of these fake Universities are available on its website
www.ugc.ac.in.
The Government/UGC has taken the following steps for closure of these
Universities so that the students do not fall into the trap of these fake Universities:
i. The Government / UGC has issued letters to the State/UT Principal
Secretaries/Education Secretaries for taking appropriate action against the fake
Universities located in their jurisdiction.
ii. UGC has issued Show Cause / Warning Notices to fake Universities cautioned
that running of Undergraduate and Postgraduate degree courses and giving
misleading advertisements shall attract severe action under the provisions of
appropriate laws including the UGC Act and the Indian Penal Code, etc.
iii. UGC has lodged FIRs in the respective Police stations against Indian Institute of
Planning and Management (IIPM), New Delhi and Bio-Chemic Education Grant
Commission, Nadia, West Bengal.
Apart from the above, UGC has taken the following steps to spread awareness
among the general public, students & parents from the fake Universities:
i. UGC has published the list of fake Universities on its website i.e. www.ugc.ac.in.
ii. At the beginning of every academic session, UGC issues Press Release and Public
Notice regarding State-wise list of fake Universities in the country in national
dailies and newspapers in Hindi and English to warn the aspiring students,
guardians and the public at large not to take admission in the courses run by the
self-styled, unauthorized fake Universities/Institutions of higher education
functioning in different parts of the country.
(d) & (e): No such complaints have been received by the Government.
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