UGC declares 21 universities as fake; max in Delhi, 1 in Pondy

CHENNAI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a list of 21 fake universities functioning across the country, cautioning students against trusting the claims of these institutions about the validity of the certificates they award.

Delhi leads the list with eight such fake universities, followed by Uttar Pradesh with four, and West Bengal and Odisha that have two each. While there are none in Tamil Nadu, its neighbours Union Territory of Puducherry, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra have one each.

"Students and public at large are hereby informed that presently 21 self-styled, unrecognised institutions which are functioning in contravention of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, have been declared as fake universities and these are not empowered to confer any degree," the UGC said in the public notice issued on August 25.

Under Section 22 of the UGC Act, the right to confer or grant degrees should be exercised only by a university established, incorporated by or under a central Act, provincial Act, State Act, an institution deemed to be a University under Section 3 or an institution specially empowered by an Act of Parliament to confer or grant degrees, it added.

Except them, "...no person or authority shall confer, or grant, or hold himself or itself out as entitled to confer or grant, any degree... Further, Section 23 of the UGC Act prohibits the use ofthe word 'University' by any institution other than a university established as stated above," the notice explained.

Delhi:

1. All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPPHS), State Govemment University, Office Kh. No. 608-609, 1" Floor, Sant Kripal Singh Public Trust Building, Near BDO Office, Alipur, Delhi-l 10036.

2. Commercial University Ltd. Daryaganj, Delhi

3. United Nations University, Delhi

4. Vocational University, Delhi

5. ADR-Centric Juridical University, ADR House, 8J, Gopala Tower, 25, Rajendra Place, New Delhi - 110 008

6. Indian Institution of Science and Engineering, New Delhi

7. Viswakarma Open University for Self-employment, India" Rozgar Sewasadan, 672, Sanjay Enclave, Opp. GTK Depot, New Delhi - 110 033

8. Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University), 351-352, phase-I, Block-A, Vijay Vihar, Rithala, Rohini, Delhi - I l0 085.

Karnataka:

9. Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society, Gokalq Belgaum (Kamataka)

Kerala:

10. St. John's University, Kishanattam. Kerala

Maharashtra:

1l. Raja Arabic University, Nagpur

West Bengal:

12. Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, 80, Chowringhee Road, Kolkata -20

13. Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research, 8-A Diamond Harbor Road Builtech inn, 2od Floor, Thakurpukur, Kolkata- 700 063

Uttar Pradesh:

14. Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag, Allahabad (UP)

15. National University of Electro Complex Homeopathy, Kanpur

16. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (open university), Achaltal, Aligarh

17. Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Bharat Bhawan, Matiyari Chinhat, Faizabad Road, Lucknow

Odisha:

18. Nababharat Shiksha Parishad, Anupoorna Bhawan, Plot No.242, Pani Tanki Road, Shakti Nagar, Rourkela -769 014

19. North Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, University Road Baripada, Dist, Mayurbhanj

Puducherry:

20. Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education, No. I E6, Thilaspet, Vazhuthavoor Road

Andhra Pradesh:

21. Christ New Testament Deemed University, 7h Lane, Kakumanuvarithota, Guntur