How to Identify a Fake University?

One of the most significant choices in your life will be choosing the right college. Hence, here comes the terrifying part: Fake universities in India look real but aren't! They yield unworthy degrees, and all those years and millions of rupees would go in vain. Let's learn how to detect such fake universities to save yourself.

What Makes a University "Real" in India?

In India, a real university may require authorization from some government bodies. Otherwise, any degree one gets is no more than a worthless piece of paper. Here are some details:

How to identify a fake university?

Check here some red flags you need to remember in order to verify a fake university:

1. The name sounds too grand

Fake universities often have impressive sounding names like:

• "World University of Excellence"
• "International Institute of Global Studies"
• "Universal Academy of Advanced Sciences"

2. They promise degrees too fast - A Big No

• "You can surely finish your MBA in 6 months!"
• "A year is good enough for graduation!"
• "The duration of the programs is short so that you can complete everything within a stipulated time."

Reality check:  A bachelor's degree takes 3-4 years while a master's degree takes two. There is no one who can legally expedite that.

3. No proper campus or address available

• It has a small office in a residential building.
• No campus photos are quite proper on the website.
• Nobody seems to know where exactly they are located; addresses keep changing or they are vague.
• They say online only, but they don't have proper approvals for distance education.

What to do: You could even visit the campus in person; if they decline, it is something to think about.

4. Too easy admission process

• Entrance Tests No More!
• "100% guaranteed admission"
• All you need to do is pay the fees, and you are secure
• There are no formalities concerning the 12th-grade score or any documents.

Truth is: Real universities have a proper admission process that requires documentation and abides by several eligibility requests.

5. Suspiciously cheap fees

If an MBA is priced at just ₹20,000 whereas other institutions are charging ₹2-3 lakhs, something is certainly wrong here. Cheap tricksters often try to entice students with fake universities and unbelievably low fees.

6. They will use pressure tactics

• Join today, pay now!
• Only two seats remain.
• Only today, for you, a special discount.
• They just want your money; they will not give you time to think.

The smart thing to do: Real colleges give you time to think. Pressure is an alarm signal.

7. No proper faculty information anywhere

• You are not informed as to who is going to teach you.
• Website doesn't provide any information about teachers.
• How can you meet faculty members before admissions?
• Teachers have fake qualifications

8. Claims of International Recognition

• "Recognized by UNESCO"
• "Approved by United Nations"
• "World-ranked university"

Fact check: UNESCO and the UN agencies don't approve any universities! The recognition of Indian universities is up to the Indian Government only.

Check here the full list of 21 blacklisted fake universities in India for 2025 and make sure your university is officially recognised before applying!

How to Verify If a University Is Real ?

Check here the steps on how to verify if a university is real or not:

Step 1: Check the UGC Website

Step 2: Visit the University's Website you are applying for

Real universities will match these criterias:

And a Fake universities will have:

Step 3: Do not Forget to Check Recognition

Pro tip: These certificates have numbers that can be cross-referenced at UGC/AICTE official websites.

Step 4: Google the University Name + "Fake" or "Review"

Search "[University Name] fake" or "[University Name] review" on Google. If many people are complaining or calling it fake, stay away.

Step 5: Check with the State Education Department

Contact your state's education department office; they have records of all the accredited universities.

Selecting a university is much beyond obtaining a degree - it is literally laying the foundation of your future. Fake universities exist to fool prospective students but now that you have an idea of how to identify one, you can do the rest. Verify always, check on official sites, and without any hesitation, ask for help. Your education is too important to be relied on by an unrecognised institute. Be aware, be informed, make the right choice!