Lok Sabha Question No. 30 (STARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Fake Universities/Educational Institutions
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: MEENAKASHI LEKHI, ASHWINI KUMAR

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION**

**LOK SABHA**

**STARRED QUESTION NO. *30**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2015**

**Fake Universities/Educational Institutions**

***30.    SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI:**

**SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR:**

Will the Minister of **HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT** be pleased to state:

(a) whether a large number of fake/ fraudulent/unrecognized schools/colleges/ universities and technical institutes are functioning in various parts of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of such schools/colleges/ educational institutions identified, State/ UT-wise;

(c) whether the University Grants Commission has published a list of fake and fraudulent universities and institutions and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether these Universities are reportedly indulging in appointment of lecturers and other teaching staff more than the sanctioned strength and grants-in-aid and if so, the details thereof including the action taken against such educational institutions; and

(e) the mechanism put in place to check mushrooming of such universities/ educational institutions and also the steps taken to safeguard the interest of the students pursuing studies from such institutions?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**( SMT.  SMRITI  ZUBIN IRANI  )**

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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10 th POSITION

**STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *30 FOR 22.07.2015 SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI AND SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR REGARDING FAKE UNIVERSITIES/ EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.**

(a): Yes **,** Madam. According to University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), a considerable number of fake universities and technical institutes are functioning in the various parts of the country.

(b): As per information available with the UGC, there are 21 fake universities which have been listed in the UGC list of Fake Universities and are functioning in contravention or violation of the UGC Act, 1956 in different parts of the country. State/UT-wise break-up of these universities is: Bihar-1, Delhi-5, Karnataka-1, Kerala-1, Madhya Pradesh-1, Maharashtra-1, Tamil Nadu-1, West Bengal-1 and Uttar Pradesh-9. The details of fake universities/unrecognized institutions are available on the UGC website [www.ugc.ac.in](http://www.ugc.ac.in/) .

In the list, the matter relating to unrecognizing of Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow, U.P. is sub-judice before the District Judge, Lucknow. In addition, in view of Delhi High Court Order dated 27/06/2008 in Writ Petition (Civil) No.8799/2008 and 5467 of 2008, UGC has issued a separate public notice in relation to IIPM University, New Delhi.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has informed that 343 technical institutes which do not have AICTE approval are running in the Country. State/UT-wise break-up of these institutes is: Andhra Pradesh-7, Bihar-19, Chandigarh-7, Delhi-66, Goa-2, Gujarat-8, Haryana-18, Himachal Pradesh-1, Jharkhand-4, Karnataka-23, Kerala-2, Maharashtra-79, Orissa-1, Punjab-5, Rajasthan-3, Tamil Nadu-11, Telangana-36, Uttarakhand-3, Uttar Pradesh-22 and West Bengal-26. The details of such Institutes which are compiled by AICTE based on complaints and advertisement in the national dailies are available at AICTE web portal at [http://www.aicte-india.org/misapproved institutions.php](http://www.aicte-india.org/misapproved%20institutions.php) .

Any institution offering technical programmes without approval of the Council is termed unapproved if it is started without approval of the Council, it is working in temporary location/at location not approved by the Council and, declared as unapproved by the Council.

(c) & (d): UGC has published a list of fake and fraudulent universities and institutions, the details of which are available on the website of UGC at [www.ugc.ac.in](http://www.ugc.ac.in/) . The data regarding indulging in appointment of lecturers and other teaching staff more than the sanctioned strength and grants-in-aid by these universities is not centrally maintained by them.

(e): According to the UGC, some institutions are offering Undergraduate/ Postgraduate degrees in various subjects which are not established under either Central/State or UGC Act and hence these Fake Universities do not have right to confer/grant any degree. Some of the steps taken by UGC against these fraudulent universities/institutions are as follows:

(i) For the awareness of general public/students/parents, the UGC puts up the list of fake institutions on its website i.e. [www.ugc.ac.in](http://www.ugc.ac.in/) . All self-styled unrecognized and unapproved institutions are cautioned that running of Undergraduate and Postgraduate degree courses and giving misleading advertisements shall attract severe action under the provisions of appropriate laws including the UGC Act and the Indian Penal Code, etc.

(ii)  At the beginning of every academic session, the UGC issues Press Release and Public Notice and state-wise list of fake universities in the country in national dailies and Newspapers in Hindi and English to warn the aspiring students, guardians and the public at large not to take admission in the courses run by the self-styled, unauthorized fake universities/institution of higher education functioning in different parts of the country.

(iii) Cases have also been filed in various courts by UGC against fake universities/institutions. Various cases are pending in the court of law filed by the fake universities/unrecognized institutes.

(iv) The UGC in the interest of general public/students defends the cases in the court. Action relating to closing down the fake institution is to be taken by the concerned state government and local authorities.

(v) The UGC has sent letters to the State/UT Principal Secretaries/Education Secretaries to take appropriate action against the fake universities located in their jurisdiction.

(vi)  The UGC has also written to the Vice Chancellor/ Director/ In charge of the 21 fake universities to close the down the fake institutions immediately.

(vii) Reminder letters to the State/UT Principal Secretaries/Education Secretaries have been issued to take the appropriate action against the fake universities located in their jurisdiction.

(viii)  The High Court of Delhi has given the final decision against the IIPM and advised that acts of the IIPM, Arindam Chaudhari and Malay Chaudhari constitute a criminal offence of cheating punishable under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code. To comply with the Court decision the UGC has lodged FIR against IIPM in the Police Station.

Any institution which is offering technical programmes without approval of the AICTE is termed unapproved. As per the AICTE (Grant of Approvals for Technical Institutions) Regulations, 2012, an Approval Process Handbook has been published to ensure availability of qualified faculty and basic infrastructure. In case of violation of norms the institutions are liable for punitive action as laid down in the Approval Process Handbook. The AICTE has initiated the following action against fraudulent/ unapproved institutions:

i) Send the list of unapproved / unregulated technical institutions to Principal Secretary/ Director, Technical Education/ concerned State authorities for taking appropriate action against such societies/ individuals/ companies/ trust etc. which are offering courses programmes without obtaining statutory approval of AICTE.

ii) Issue Public notices in newspapers cautioning the students not to take admission in such unapproved institutions for the benefit of Stakeholders.

iii) Update the list of such fake institutions on AICTE website.

iv) Issue Notices to unapproved institutions available on record of AICTE to close down the programmes or to approach AICTE for seeking approval. The copy of notices is also endorsed to concerned state authorities for information and necessary action.

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