The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a fresh public alert, urging students, parents, and employers across India to be extremely cautious of three specific institutions that are illegally operating as universities. These entities are offering and awarding degrees without any legal authority to do so under Indian law.
Three Unapproved Institutions Under UGC Scanner
The Commission has named and shamed three establishments in its latest warning. The degrees issued by these institutions hold no legal validity and will not be accepted for higher education, government jobs, or employment in the private sector.
The UGC's alert is part of its continuous drive to update and publicise its List of Fake Universities. This list targets institutions that misuse the title "university" without being recognised under the UGC Act of 1956. According to the Commission, these bodies are neither recognised under Section 2(f) nor declared as deemed-to-be universities under Section 3 of the Act, which are the mandatory legal prerequisites for awarding degrees in India.
National Institute of Management Solution (NIMS), Delhi
The UGC has clarified that the National Institute of Management Solution (NIMS) in Delhi lacks recognition under Sections 2(f) or 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. Consequently, it is not entitled to award any degree. Despite its name suggesting a focus on management education, NIMS does not possess the legal status of a university. Students have been warned that any qualification from NIMS will be treated as invalid for academic or professional purposes.
Sarva Bharatiya Shiksha Peeth, Tumkur, Karnataka
The second institution flagged is Sarva Bharatiya Shiksha Peeth, located on Devanur Main Road in Vijaya Nagara, Tumkur district, Karnataka. The UGC states this institution is awarding degrees in direct violation of the UGC Act. It is not recognised under the Act and also lacks approval from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) or any other statutory body. Degrees from here have no legal backing.
National Backward Krushi Vidyapeeth, Solapur, Maharashtra
The third entity is National Backward Krushi Vidyapeeth in Tadwal village, Akkalkot taluka, Solapur district, Maharashtra. The UGC confirms this institution is also issuing degrees without legal sanction. It is not recognised under the UGC Act and does not have AICTE or other regulatory approvals. Students enrolled here are advised to heed the warning, as their qualifications will not be recognised within the formal education system.
Why Legal Recognition Under UGC Act is Crucial
The UGC Act, 1956 is the primary legislation governing higher education in India. It empowers the UGC to maintain academic standards and oversee universities. Only institutions recognised under Section 2(f) or deemed universities under Section 3 can legally call themselves universities and award degrees. Any institution operating outside this framework is considered unauthorised.
The Commission advises students and parents to exercise utmost diligence when selecting a college or university. They must verify an institution's official recognition status on the UGC website before taking admission. The UGC maintains and periodically updates a state-wise list of fake universities, with the latest list available as of December 2025.
Choosing an unrecognised institution can lead to devastating consequences, wasting years of hard work, money, and effort when the degree is ultimately rejected by employers or other universities. This latest warning underscores the critical need for verification in India's vast and sometimes misleading higher education landscape.
