UGC Fails to Act as Fake Universities Thrive

UGC Silent Spectator to Fake Universities’ Ongoing Frauds

For decades, fake universities in India have been a persistent menace, preying on the aspirations of students and parents desperate for quality higher education. These fraudulent institutions, often operating under the guise of legitimate universities, exploit the country’s massive demand for degrees in a hyper-competitive job market. These institutions lack legal authorisation to confer degrees yet they offer invalid certifications to tens of thousands of students that hold no value for employment or further studies. Operating from small premises or even online, some of these fake universities charge exorbitant fees, promising quick degrees with minimal academic effort. 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) routinely publishes lists of fake universities to warn students. However, these lists have little impact beyond raising awareness, as enforcement remains weak. Many of these fake universities, once exposed, simply shut down operations quietly, only to rebrand under new names and reopen in different locations or online. Operating with impunity, they exploit legal loopholes and lax oversight. The absence of stringent punitive measures allows these institutions to evade accountability; fines or closures are rare, and criminal prosecutions are almost nonexistent. Many set up shop in new jurisdictions, using deceptive websites and aggressive marketing to lure students. The lack of a centralised database to track these entities, combined with slow coordination between state and central authorities, enables them to restart without fear of legal repercussions, perpetuating the cycle of fraud.

“The Agent Lured Me”

Fake universities in India operate with a calculated modus operandi designed to exploit students’ aspirations and evade regulatory scrutiny. According to the list published by the University Grants Commission in May 2024, Delhi has the highest number of fake universities in India. A student, who earned a degree from a Delhi-based fake university spoke to The Probe on condition of anonymity, detailing the deceptive practices: “I found the advertisement related to this fake university on a newspaper. When I called the number an agent picked up. The agent lured me by saying that the university was very flexible with its courses, timings and exams. He said that the degree would cost me about two lakh rupees. They had a professional-looking website and sent me brochures with fake affiliations to foreign universities. I had to go through a lot of issues with the university during the interim period. They finally issued a degree certificate but only later did I get to know that the certificate has no recognition.” 

Now in her mid-20s, this student faces severe repercussions. “I’m terrified to mention my degree in job interviews. Employers either don’t recognise the university or immediately reject me after Googling it and finding out it’s fake. It’s not just me — I know many students who were lured by agents working for these fake universities. Most students don’t come forward and complain because by the time they realise the truth, they have already lost valuable time and money like me. There is a lot of fear about how society will perceive us, knowing we went to a fake university for our education. Society can be very judgmental,” she says.

Bible Open University of India: A Case of Regulatory Failure

In September 2021, the Hyderabad-based Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) filed a complaint with the University Grants Commission against the Bible Open University of India (BOUI) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, accusing it of operating without government recognition, using the term “university” illegally, and awarding unauthorised Bachelor, Master, and Ph.D. degrees. 

Despite the serious allegations, the UGC’s response was sluggish. Instead of promptly investigating, the Commission issued a warning notice to BOUI in April 2022, merely cautioning it against using the term “university” and granting degrees. This delay allowed BOUI to continue operations, potentially defrauding more students. It was not until August 2023 that the UGC officially categorised BOUI as a fake university, nearly two years after the initial complaint. 

The Bible Open University of India is closely associated with PD Sundara Rao, identified as its Founder and Director. Following the UGC’s designation of BOUI as a fake university in August 2023, we found that the people allegedly associated with the same entity applied for a trademark registration shortly afterward. Documents reveal the trademark application was filed On February 27, 2024 with the Indian Trademark Registry, seeking to register “Bible Open University India - Bowl of Prudence under the following service: “Education and Cultural Activities, Providing of Training and Promulgate the Unique Wisdom of Bible”. The move indicates BOUI’s intent to rebrand and continue operations under a slightly altered identity to evade scrutiny. 

Despite cheating numerous students, no action was taken against the Founder and Director of BOUI beyond the Commission's warning and listing. The absence of criminal charges or operational shutdowns raises serious questions about how such entities are allowed to persist, exploiting regulatory gaps and weak enforcement. 

Under Indian law, operating a fake university violates Section 23 of the UGC Act, 1956, which prohibits unauthorised entities from using the term “university.” Violators can face penalties, including injunctions to cease operations and potential civil liabilities for fraud. Additionally, if there is intent, criminal action can also be taken against fraudulent directors and founders for misrepresentation, forgery, cheating and for issuing fraudulent degrees. However, the UGC’s response has been largely limited to issuing warnings, show-cause notices, and publishing lists of fake universities. 

As we dug deeper, we bumped into the website of Bible Open University of India International. The website prominently features PD Sundara Rao, the founder, and Dr. & Prof. Lazarus Prasanna Babu, boasting grandiose claims on its homepage: "The Bible Open University India – International for the first time presents to man-kind astounding information, more wondrous than the seven wonders, more informative than most modern sciences. It takes you to hitherto unsolved unknown secrets of the universe unexplored by Galileo Galilei, facts about the future of the world which could not be gazed by Nostradamus, unlit myriad hues to Thomas Alva Edison, Biology Prior to the death of Charles Darwin, the communist manifesto copied by Karl Marx, Geocentric Theory which was invalidated even before the birth of Nicholas Copernicus, the world’s one and only cynosure website which has been able to counter the established opinion of theists, atheists, rationalists, and scientists." 

The site also claims to have “trained and prepared over 50,000 students”. Under the section titled “Constitutional Right of this Institution,” BOUI asserts its legitimacy by citing its affiliation with the Jayashali Educational Trust, registered in 2023. Incidentally, it was in 2023 that the UGC had termed the BOUI a fake university. The website also claims it operates as a theological college for Bible education, not secular studies covered by the UGC Act. 

It invokes Articles 25, 26, and 28 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of religion, the right to manage religious affairs, and exemptions for religious instruction in non-state-funded institutions. By framing its activities as religious education under a trust, BOUI argues it is immune from UGC oversight. 

Like BOUI, the Christ New Testament Deemed University, operating from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh was also declared a fake university by the University Grants Commission in August 2022, despite years of fraudulent operations. Fact-checked records confirm that the institution, which falsely used the term “university” and claimed to offer theological degrees, violated Sections 22 and 23 of the University Grants Commission Act by issuing invalid degrees without legal authorisation. 

A notable instance was its high-profile 2017 convocation, where it conferred an honorary doctorate on a former MLA from Prakasam district and awarded PhDs to students. These degrees, however, lacked government recognition. The university’s 2018 website openly promoted theological programs ranging from certificate to doctoral levels, claiming affiliations with international entities and asserting that it did not require University Grants Commission's approval since it offered only religious education. This claim was misleading, as any institution using the term “university” or awarding degrees must comply with the Commission's regulations, regardless of the field of study. Even in the 2024 list of fake universities published by the Commission, the same university's name appears. Clearly, the question remains: why was action not taken in 2022 itself, allowing the university to continue operating for two more years?

How UGC Let a Fake University Survive for 20 Years

The United Nations University in Delhi, flagged as a fake university by the UGC in 2005, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, has operated with impunity for two decades, deceiving students with invalid degrees. Despite its inclusion in the Commission's fake university list since 2005, the institution persists, using fictitious addresses and no verifiable website, making it difficult to track. 

The Commission’s repeated warnings have failed to disrupt its operations, with no reported arrests, closures, or legal actions against its operators. This lack of enforcement has allowed the institution to continue issuing worthless degrees to students. Delhi’s consistent lead, with eight fake universities in 2024, including United Nations University, points towards a regional failure where regulatory notices have little impact, undermining trust in the education system.

The Commission's notices on United Nations University provide no details about its owners, directors, or operating entities. This opacity shields operators from scrutiny and accountability, allowing them to evade legal consequences. The Commission's failure to identify or publicise the individuals behind the institution, despite 20 years of flagging it, points to a lack of proactive investigation. The Commission has not reported actions to identify or shut down communication channels used to defraud students, such as phone numbers or email addresses, a critical oversight that allows the university to continue targeting vulnerable applicants. 

Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya’s Long-Standing Deception

The Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University), located in Rohini, Delhi, has been listed as a fake university by the University Grants Commission repeatedly since at least 2018, appearing in notices in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Despite these warnings, the institution continued to operate, now operating under a different name.

In December 2017, Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya gained infamy following allegations of grave misconduct by its leader, Virender Dev Dixit, a self-styled godman. A Public Interest Litigation filed by the Foundation for Social Empowerment prompted a Delhi High Court-ordered raid, during which the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) rescued over 100 women and over 48 girls from the Rohini ashram. 

Swati Maliwal, DCW chairperson, reported that many appeared drugged and were held in conditions “worse than farm animals,” with allegations of sexual assault and illegal confinement leveled against Dixit. Four FIRs were registered at Vijay Vihar police station, including two against Dixit for rape and forced confinement. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case in January 2018 but reported in March 2018 that Dixit could not be traced, with speculation he may be hiding in Nepal. 

Despite the Commission’s repeated listings and the 2017 raid, Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya maintains an operational website as of April 2025, rebranded as “Adhyatmik Vidyalaya” following a 2018 Delhi High Court order to remove “Vishwavidyalaya” from its name. The website promotes spiritual courses based on the Bhagavad Gita and “Original Murli Tunes,” claiming to operate as a “Divine family” with centers across India and internationally. It solicits donations and memberships, targeting devotees with promises of spiritual enlightenment, while carefully avoiding mention of degree programs to skirt UGC scrutiny. 

The website of “Adhyatmik Vidyalaya,” includes an FAQ section that defends its controversial leader, Virender Dev Dixit, despite his legal troubles and allegations. Addressing his 1998 imprisonment, the site downplays the issue, comparing Dixit’s jail time to that of historical figures like Gandhi and Nehru, who were incarcerated during India’s freedom struggle. It frames true independence as spiritual liberation, suggesting Dixit’s legal issues are irrelevant to his divine mission. The FAQ also responds to questions about Dixit’s reclusiveness, claiming he remains “incognito” like mythological figures such as Rama, Krishna, and Shiva, who strategically avoided direct confrontation to achieve their goals. It portrays Dixit as a benevolent deity who offers redemption to even the most sinful, citing the Mahabharata’s Shishupal, whom Krishna forgave 100 times. 

"Higher Education Must Throw Off the Shackles of Rankings"

The Commission’s updated list of fake universities names 21 such institutions, many of which have repeatedly appeared in past updates. The UGC has urged state governments to take legal action and encouraged students to verify university legitimacy via its online portal. Despite these efforts, the Commission’s measures are proving inadequate. Critics argue that the UGC’s reliance on state governments for enforcement creates a patchwork of inaction, with Delhi’s Department of Higher Education showing no record of closures for listed institutions like United Nations University, flagged since 2005. The penalties under the Act—fines up to ₹1,000 or six months’ imprisonment—are outdated and rarely enforced, offering little deterrence. The Commission’s failure to coordinate with cybercrime units to shut down fraudulent websites or trace agent networks allows these institutions to rebrand or relocate. 

The UGC’s inability to decisively tackle fake universities undermines India’s higher education credibility, with critics calling for urgent reforms. Dr. Anuradha Sovani, a psychologist and former Professor and Head of Psychology at SNDT University and University of Mumbai, emphasises the deeper issue: “Universities with poor or false credentials proliferate because of the huge importance education has in India, and the ease with which students and parents get swayed by fancy branding and trendy naming of content imparted in institutions.” 

She critiques the commercialisation of education and the obsession with university rankings, which often prioritise infrastructure over meaningful education. “I believe part of the problem if also the fad of University rankings. I have taught in institutions which may not have plush infrastructure but imparts education with a heart and value based purpose. Rankings unfortunately have no metrics to evaluate these parameters. The solution to this would be for higher education to throw off the shackles of rankings, and to educate consumers of higher education regarding the parameters to look for when identifying a  "good" university. Let young people use their modern communication channels like social media well to share with each other high value experiences in their respective institutions," states Dr.Sovani.

Religion as a Shield for Fake Universities

Another persistent problem is that when institutions are flagged as fake by the Commission, many pivot to claiming religious legitimacy to dodge accountability. These entities exploit Articles 25, 26, and 28 of the Constitution, which protect freedom of religion, the right to manage religious affairs, and exemptions for religious instruction in non-state-funded institutions. By rebranding their invalid degree programs as “theological” or “spiritual” education, they argue they are exempt from UGC oversight, which governs secular degrees under the UGC Act, 1956. This strategy enables them to continue soliciting students and donations while issuing worthless certificates, exploiting gaps in regulatory oversight over religious education.

The tactic of hiding behind religion is evident in multiple cases where fake universities, once exposed, reframe their operations as religious instruction to evade scrutiny. These entities leverage the sensitive nature of religious regulation in India, where authorities hesitate to intervene, allowing them to maintain active websites and recruitment networks. The ability of fake universities to misuse religious freedoms stems from systemic weaknesses in India’s regulatory framework. The UGC’s limited authority, reliant on state governments for enforcement, results in inconsistent action, particularly when institutions claim religious status. 

The University Grants Commission has come under intense criticism for its handling of fake universities, with many faulting the regulatory body for delayed and inconsistent enforcement. Observers say the Commission’s published lists are often reactive and incomplete, failing to track emerging online diploma mills and rebranded institutions. Critics argue that the most recent list closely mirrors previous versions, offering little in the way of response to new digital threats.

Moreover, the Commission has been accused of failing to create adequate public awareness, particularly in rural areas. Merely uploading lists on its official website, is seen as insufficient—especially when many students lack internet access or the awareness needed to verify the legitimacy of educational institutions. The Commission also faces flak for its inaction against fake accreditations and manipulated university rankings, which together sustain the ecosystem of fraudulent institutions. 

The Probe has reached out to the University Grants Commission for a detailed response to the concerns raised in the story. This story will be updated as soon we we get a response from the Commission.

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