Authorities in Uttar Pradesh are racing to verify the existence of several universities flagged as “fake” by the national regulator, after investigators reported that some institutions listed by the University Grants Commission could not be physically traced and may exist only on paper or online
A Regulatory Alert That Triggered New Questions
When the University Grants Commission (UGC) published a list of 22 alleged fake universities last month, the notice was intended as a public advisory. But in Uttar Pradesh, where four of the institutions were said to be operating, the announcement set off an urgent administrative review — and revealed gaps far wider than initially expected.
State authorities requested detailed reports from the Directorate of Higher Education, seeking clarity on whether these universities still operate, issue degrees, or maintain any physical presence. Officials were instructed to submit their findings by November 27, prompting rapid field inquiries across several districts.
Yet early responses suggested that the issue may be more complex than a simple case of illicit degree mills. In multiple instances, district teams could not confirm that the universities existed at all.
Investigators Find No Trace of Campus Addresses
In Prayagraj, investigators attempted to locate a university listed under the name “Gandhi Hindi Vidyapeeth Prayag, Allahabad.” According to Dr. B.L. Sharma, an assistant director overseeing the inquiry, the team found no trace of the institution at the address provided in UGC records or on documents circulated online.
The search yielded similar results in Noida. Officials sought the address of the “Mahamaya Technical University” a name long associated with a defunct or fraudulent entity but neither the committee nor the postal department could find its location. Postal staff reported that mail addressed to the university repeatedly arrived but was returned due to the absence of any registered physical site.
The Directorate’s preliminary report, submitted to the state government earlier this week, noted that several listed universities “appear to be operating only through online presence” and may be using outdated or fictitious addresses.
A Pattern of Ghost Institutions Across Districts
Uttar Pradesh’s four suspected fake universities were part of a broader national list that included institutions in Delhi, West Bengal, Odisha, and Karnataka. Alongside the Prayagraj and Noida names, investigators pointed to institutions in Aligarh such as the “Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Open University” and in Lucknow, where an entity claiming to operate under the “Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad” banner was flagged.
Officials familiar with the inquiry said that despite public notifications and past warnings, several of these names persist across the internet, maintaining websites, phone numbers, and administrative facades. In some cases, students have reportedly enrolled, unaware that the degrees issued may hold no legal status.
District statistical research officer Dr. Pankaj Singh has been assigned to conduct deeper field verification in Prayagraj, while separate teams in Aligarh, Lucknow, and Noida have been asked to cross-check ownership records, land titles, and operational paperwork.
State Prepares for Next Steps as Verification Continues
Following the release of the UGC list, the Uttar Pradesh government directed the Directorate of Higher Education to conduct a full-scale inquiry and identify individuals or groups responsible for running the institutions. Officials acknowledged that the preliminary reports lacked clarity on several key points, including the details of degree issuance, student enrollment, and the identity of operators.
The government has now demanded a final consolidated report by Wednesday, after which administrative action including police complaints is expected. The ongoing investigation, officials said, will determine whether these entities represent bureaucratic discrepancies, organized fraud, or something in between.
