The Indian government has intensified its efforts to combat the menace of fake universities operating across the country. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, during a session in the Lok Sabha, announced the identification of 21 such institutions and urged state governments to take stringent legal action against them. Of these, eight are concentrated in the national capital, Delhi, making it the highest contributor to this alarming tally. The full list of these fake universities is accessible on the official website of the University Grants Commission (UGC) at ugc.gov.in.
The University Grants Commission and the Ministry of Education have taken several measures to prevent these unauthorized entities from deceiving students. Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted that public notices have been issued through social media platforms and the UGC website to raise awareness among students, parents, and other stakeholders. The aim is to caution the public against enrolling in these fraudulent institutions that misrepresent themselves as universities, thereby ensuring that students do not fall prey to their deceptive practices.
The crackdown on fake universities is part of the government’s broader agenda to enhance the quality and integrity of higher education in the country. Minister of State for Education Sukanta Kumar Majumdar provided additional insights into the government’s commitment to the education sector. He revealed an increase of ₹2,875.29 crore in the budget allocation for the Department of Higher Education in 2024-25 compared to the previous fiscal year. The total budget for 2024-25 stands at ₹47,619.77 crore, a significant rise from ₹44,744.48 crore in 2023-24, reflecting the government’s emphasis on improving educational infrastructure and resources.
Sukanta Kumar Majumdar also addressed public expenditure on higher education institutions in Rajasthan. He disclosed that ₹556.86 crore had been released for three Centrally Funded Higher Education Institutions in the state—Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, and the Central University of Rajasthan—up to November 30, 2024. Additionally, ₹535.99 crore was allocated for establishing the Indian Institute of Management Udaipur and the Indian Institute of Information Technology Kota.
This dual focus on eliminating fake universities and increasing funding for legitimate institutions underlines the government’s commitment to safeguarding students’ interests and strengthening India’s higher education landscape.
