The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a new public warning asking students, parents, and employers to stay alert about three institutions that are functioning as universities without any legal approval: NIMS, Delhi, Sarva Bharatiya Shiksha Peeth, Karnataka and National Backward Krushi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra. According to the UGC, these institutions are offering and issuing degrees even though they do not have the authority to do so under Indian law.The Commission has clearly stated that degrees awarded by such institutions are not valid. These qualifications will not be accepted for further studies, government recruitment, or jobs in the private sector. UGC has advised students to be careful while choosing colleges or universities and to always check whether an institution is officially recognised before taking admission.The warning is part of UGC’s ongoing effort to update and publicise its List of Fake Universities, which includes institutions that misuse the word “university” despite not being recognised under the UGC Act, 1956. According to the Commission, these institutions are neither recognised under Section 2(f) nor declared as deemed-to-be universities under Section 3 of the Act, which are mandatory legal requirements to award degrees in India.
National Institute of Management Solution (NIMS), Delhi
The UGC has clarified that the National Institute of Management Solution (NIMS), Delhi, is not recognised under either Section 2(f) or Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. As a result, the institution is not entitled to award any degree.Despite its name suggesting a management-focused higher education institution, NIMS does not have the legal status of a university. The UGC has warned students that any degree issued by this institution will be treated as invalid and may not be accepted for further studies or employment.Check the notice issued by UGC here.
Sarva Bharatiya Shiksha Peeth, Tumkur, Karnataka
The second institution flagged by the UGC is Sarva Bharatiya Shiksha Peeth, located near S. K. Choultary on Devanur Main Road in Vijaya Nagara, Tumkur district of Karnataka.According to the UGC alert, the institution is awarding degrees in violation of the UGC Act, 1956. It is neither recognised under Section 2(f) nor Section 3 of the Act. In addition, it does not have approval from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) or any other statutory regulatory body.The Commission has cautioned students that degrees issued by this institution do not have legal backing and should not be relied upon for academic or professional purposes.The official notice against the university can be downloaded from the link here.
National Backward Krushi Vidyapeeth, Solapur, Maharashtra
The third institution named in the alert is National Backward Krushi Vidyapeeth, located in Tadwal village of Akkalkot taluka in Solapur district, Maharashtra.The UGC has said that this institution is issuing degrees without legal approval. It is not recognised under Section 2(f) or Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 and does not have approval from AICTE or any other regulatory body.Students enrolled in this institution have been advised to take note of the warning, as qualifications obtained from such entities are not recognised anywhere in the formal education system.Check the official notice issued by UGC here.
What is the UGC Act, 1956?
The UGC Act, 1956 is the major law by which the higher education institutions in India have to abide. The act enables the University Grants Commission to oversee universities, lay down academic standards, and ensure that teaching and research meet approved norms.Under the Act, only institutions recognised under Section 2(f) or declared as deemed universities under Section 3 are permitted to call themselves universities and award degrees. Any institution that does not meet these conditions is treated as unauthorised, even if it offers courses or issues certificates to students.The Act also enables the UGC to issue public warnings and take action against institutions that mislead students.
UGC list of fake universities
The UGC’s list of fake universities is meant to guide students and parents through India’s complex higher education space. Updated periodically, it brings attention to institutions that operate without approval, present themselves as universities, and award degrees that are not legally recognised.The UGC has updated the state-wise list of fake universities as of December 2025 on its official website. Students can check the complete list by clicking on the link here. The Commission has repeatedly advised students to consult this list before applying for admission and to confirm whether an institution is recognised under the UGC Act. Such basic checks, UGC officials stress, can prevent students from falling into academic traps that often surface only when degrees are rejected by universities or employers.For students mapping out their academic path, caution is not optional. A degree from an unrecognised institution can cost years of hard work, with consequences that are difficult to reverse.
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