Published on October 24 , 2025
Delhi, India
In a stark reminder of the lurking threats in India’s higher education landscape, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a fresh public notice on October 23, 2025, cautioning students and parents against enrolling in unrecognized degree programs at the Institute of Management and Engineering in Delhi. Located at 1810/4, 1st Floor, Kotla Mubarakpur, this self-proclaimed institution is illegally offering degrees in violation of the UGC Act, 1956, putting aspiring learners at severe risk of wasted time, money, and career derailment. As admissions for the 2025-26 session ramp up, the UGC emphasizes that only degrees from legally established universities hold value for jobs, further studies, or professional licenses. This alert aligns with broader crackdowns on 21 fake universities nationwide—eight in Delhi alone—highlighting a persistent epidemic of educational fraud that ensnares thousands annually. With social media abuzz over the notice, experts urge immediate verification to shield youth from “diploma mills” masquerading as credible paths to success.
Background on UGC Warnings and Fake Degrees in India
The UGC, as the apex regulator for higher education, routinely flags unauthorized entities to prevent exploitation. Under Section 22 of the UGC Act, only universities established by Central/State Acts, deemed universities, or those empowered by Parliament can award valid degrees. Violations—such as self-styled institutes granting “degrees” without accreditation—undermine national standards and fuel a black market for bogus credentials.
- Rising Threat: In 2025, UGC identified 21 fake universities, up from previous years, with Delhi emerging as a hotspot due to its dense institutional ecosystem. These outfits often lure students with low fees, flexible schedules, and flashy ads promising quick qualifications.
- Historical Context: Similar alerts peaked in March 2025 after shutting down 12 illegal operations, yet new ones sprout amid lax oversight. The 2025 list includes entities like Commercial University Ltd. and United Nations University in Delhi, echoing patterns from 2023-24 when 20 fakes were blacklisted.
- Government Response: Legal actions, show-cause notices, and collaborations with state police have intensified, but UGC stresses public vigilance as the first line of defense.
This Delhi-specific warning arrives amid NEP 2020’s push for quality assurance, underscoring the irony: While reforms globalize Indian education, local fraudsters erode trust.
Details of the Alerted Institution
The spotlight falls on the Institute of Management and Engineering, a prime example of how rogue setups exploit Delhi’s aspirational student influx.
- Location and Operations: Housed in a nondescript Kotla Mubarakpur building, it markets management, engineering, and related degrees via online and offline modes, often at bargain rates.
- UGC Verdict: Not recognized under Sections 2(f) or 3 of the UGC Act; no authority to confer degrees. Enrollment here equates to pursuing invalid credentials.
- Modus Operandi: Promises rapid completions without rigorous exams or attendance, mimicking legitimate programs to dupe Class 12 graduates and working professionals.
- Immediate Risks: Students risk rejection in government jobs, postgraduate admissions, or private sector roles, as HR portals now cross-check UGC listings.
| Aspect | Details | UGC Status |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Institute of Management and Engineering | Unrecognized; Illegal degree awarding |
| Address | 1810/4, 1st Floor, Kotla Mubarakpur, New Delhi | Operating without Section 22 empowerment |
| Programs Offered | Management, Engineering Degrees | Invalid for employment/higher education |
| Target Audience | Aspiring undergrads, career switchers | High vulnerability to fraud |
Broader Landscape: Fake Universities in Delhi and India
Delhi’s eight fake universities in the 2025 UGC blacklist make it the fraud capital, preying on 10 lakh+ annual migrants chasing dreams in the capital.
| State/UT | Number of Fake Universities | Notable Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 8 | All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences; Commercial University Ltd.; United Nations University; Vocational University; ADR-Centric Juridical University; Indian Institute of Science and Engineering; Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment; Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya |
| Uttar Pradesh | 4 | Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow; Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag, Allahabad; Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University, Aligarh; Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University, Lucknow (Branch) |
| Andhra Pradesh | 2 | Christ Gurukul Theological Seminary, Shaikpet, Hyderabad; Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai (Branch) |
| Karnataka | 2 | Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University, Belgaum; St. John’s University, Kishanattam, Mysore |
| Others (Kerala, Puducherry, etc.) | 5 | Total: 21 nationwide |
These 21 entities have drawn over 5,000 complaints in 2025, per UGC data, with many operating hybrid models blending online lures and physical facades.
Risks of Enrolling in Unrecognized Programs
The fallout from fake degrees extends far beyond finances, eroding hard-earned aspirations.
- Academic Invalidity: Degrees hold no value for PG entrances like CUET or GATE; barred from UGC-recognized universities.
- Career Catastrophe: Government jobs via UPSC/SSC reject them outright; private firms face legal scrutiny under hiring norms.
- Financial Drain: Fees (₹50,000-2 lakh) plus opportunity costs; no refunds, as seen in past EdTech scandals.
- Psychological Toll: Delayed careers trigger stress; 2025 surveys show 30% of affected students report mental health dips.
- Legal Repercussions: Holders may face fraud charges if using fakes for jobs; employers liable too.
Real stories abound: A 2025 Delhi engineering aspirant lost ₹1.5 lakh to a similar institute, only to restart via open schooling.
How to Verify Recognized Institutions and Degrees
Empowerment starts with due diligence—UGC’s mantra for 2025.
| Step | Action | Resource |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Check UGC List | Search for university under “Recognized Universities” | ugc.gov.in/universitydetails |
| 2. Validate Degrees | Use AICTE for technical courses; DEB for distance modes | aicte-india.org; deb.ugc.ac.in |
| 3. Spot Red Flags | No exams, quick issuance, unverified ads | Report to UGC helpline: 1800-112-115 |
| 4. Cross-Verify | Confirm via NAAC/NIRF rankings | naac.gov.in; nirfindia.org |
| 5. Report Suspicion | File complaint online | ugc.gov.in/page/Complaints.aspx |
Pro Tip: For foreign tie-ups, ensure compliance with UGC’s 2023 international regulations—only approved collaborations count.
UGC’s Broader Reforms and Enforcement
Beyond warnings, UGC’s 2025 arsenal includes:
- Digital Vigilance: Real-time fake alerts via app and SMS; integrated with DigiLocker for degree verification.
- Legal Hammer: FIRs against 12 institutes in Q1 2025; fines up to ₹1 crore for violations.
- Awareness Drives: Campus webinars and school tie-ups reaching 10 million students; NEP-aligned push for ethical education.
- EdTech Scrutiny: Post-July 2025 advisory, raids on platforms peddling unrecognized foreign degrees.
Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar reiterated: “Verify before you commit—your future deserves authenticity.”
Public Reactions and Social Media Buzz
The alert trended on X, with educators amplifying calls for reform.
- Educator Echoes: “Finally, UGC acting—Delhi’s fake hubs must go!” (@Education_EP).
- Student Fears: Posts like “Lost 2 years to a similar scam—verify now!” garnered 5K likes.
- Policy Praise: “Step towards clean education,” from influencers, though some decry delayed enforcement.
