The University Grants Commission has issued a warning about a Fake University.
New Delhi, India, October 25, 2025 — The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India has released a Public Notice concerning an institution that is offering unrecognized degrees. According to the UGC announcement, the institution is offering various degree programs that violate the rules, regulations, and policies set forth by the UGC Act of 1956.
- Cautioning students, the UGC warned that enrolling in such ‘self-styled institutions’ might jeopardize their careers.
The Public Notice states that the University Grants Commission has become aware that the institution is offering various degree courses and programs in serious violation of the UGC Act of 1956.
The notice emphasizes Section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956, which states:
(1) The authority to confer or grant degrees is solely vested in universities established by a Central Act, a Provincial Act, a State Act, or institutions deemed to be universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act. Additionally, only institutions explicitly empowered by an Act of Parliament may confer degrees.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (1), no person or authority is allowed to confer, grant, or represent themselves as entitled to confer or grant any degree.
Whereas the institution mentioned is not recognized under Section 2(f) or Section 3 of the UGC Act, and is not authorized to award any degrees as per Section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956, the notification stated.
Who Can Award Degrees in India: Understanding UGC Regulations
In India, the University Grants Commission (UGC) serves as the key regulatory body governing higher education standards, including the power to confer degrees. Under the UGC Act, 1956, only specific institutions are legally authorized to award nationally recognized degrees.
Who Can Award Degrees
According to Section 22 of the UGC Act, the right to confer degrees rests exclusively with:
- Universities established or incorporated by a Central, State, or Provincial Act — including public universities and institutions of national importance such as IITs, NITs, and AIIMS.
- Institutions deemed to be universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act. The Central Government grants this status on the recommendation of the UGC.
- Institutions specially empowered by an Act of Parliament to confer degrees (for example, the Indian Institutes of Management Act, 2017, allows certain IIMs to grant degrees).
Private colleges, standalone institutes, and training centers cannot award their own degrees unless they are affiliated with a recognized university.
Types of Degrees Recognized by UGC
The UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Degrees) Regulations, 2003 specify that recognized degrees include:
- Undergraduate degrees (e.g., B.A., B.Sc., B.Com., B.Tech.)
- Postgraduate degrees (e.g., M.A., M.Sc., M.Com., M.Tech.)
- Professional degrees (e.g., LL.B., M.B.B.S., B.Ed., M.Ed.)
- Research degrees (M.Phil., Ph.D.)
Additionally, UGC periodically updates the “Specification of Degrees” list to include emerging disciplines and new nomenclatures such as B.Des, B.Voc, and MBA.
Why This Matters
Only degrees issued by UGC-recognized institutions are considered valid for employment, further education, or public service examinations in India. Prospective students should always verify the UGC recognition status of an institution before enrolling.
Source: UGC
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