CBSE asks schools to encourage students to enrol in UGC-recognised universities; warns against fake colleges

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has instructed all its affiliated schools to issue an advisory for students and parents regarding admission to fake and unrecognised universities for the academic session 2026-27.

The instruction from the central board follows an official order from the University Grants Commission (UGC) regarding fake and self-styled higher educational institutions (HEIs).

In an earlier notification, the UGC had expressed that students and parents should be cautioned against enrolling in self-styled or unrecognised HEIs, risking serious damage to a student's academic and professional career.

“This initiative aims to create awareness among students, parents, and other stakeholders and to advise them against seeking admission in self-styled and unrecognized institutions, as such admissions may seriously jeopardize students' academic and professional careers,” as per the official notification.

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Create awareness at early stage: UGC

The UGC has also stated that it publishes public notices annually and regularly updates the list of fake universities and unrecognized institutions on its official platform at ugc.ac.in.

“As the admission process for the Academic Session 2026-2027 is currently underway, it is imperative to create awareness at an early stage to alert students and parents and safeguard their interests,” the notice added.

The commission has also directed the CBSE to disseminate several advisory among students and parents. The list of advisories include that schools shall inform and counsel students of Class 10 and 12, along with their parents or guardians on potential risks with fake universities.

It is advisable for students to verify the recognition status of HEIs through the official website of UGC under the main menu tab “HEIs,” the UGC said.

“The advisory should be prominently displayed on school notice boards and disseminated through school websites, circulars, and during Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs),” it reads.

Students should be encouraged to apply for admission only to UGC-recognized HEls, the commission said in its official letter to CBSE.

In addition, all schools should have strict compliance with the directions issued by the UGC and students must safeguard themselves from falling prey to self-styled and unrecognised educational institutions.