In a stunning development, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has, on Wednesday, declared 24 universities in the country as fake and pronounced that these varsities don't have the authorization to confer any degree based on the standards and guidelines of the commission. 

According to reports, the UGC has released the list of 24 self-styled, unrecognized institutions in the country and branded these universities as 'fake'. In a statement, UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain said that the students and the public are informed that currently, 24 self-styled, unrecognized institutions are functioning in contravention of the UGC Act, which have been declared as fake universities and these varsities are not empowered to confer any degree. 

Uttar Pradesh has topped the table with the most number of the fake universities on the list followed by Delhi. Of these 24 varsities, Uttar Pradesh has eight universities, Delhi has seven while two each from West Bengal and Odisha. The states like Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra have one fake university each. You can find the full list of the fake universities below, 

Uttar Pradesh: 1) Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag, Allahabad; 2) Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi; 3) Mahila Gram Vidyapith Vishwvidyalaya, Prayag, Allahabad; 4) National University of Electro Complex Homeopathy, Kanpur; 5) Nethaji Subhash Chandra Bose University, Achaltal, Aligarh; 6) Uttar Pradesh Vishwavidyalaya, Kosi Kalan, Mathura; 7) Maharana Pratap Shiksha Niketan Vishwavidyalaya, Pratapgarh; 8) Indraprastha Shiksha Parishad, Institutional Area, Khoda, Makanpur, Noida. 

Delhi: 1) United Nations University; 2) Commercial University Ltd, Daryaganj; 3) Vocational University; 4) ADR-Centric Juridical University, Rajendra; 5) Indian Institution of Science and Engineering; 6) Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment, Rozgar Sewasadan; 7) Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University), Rohini, Delhi.

West Bengal: 1) Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, 80, Chowringhee Road, Kolkata; 2) Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research, Thakurpukur, Kolkata. 

Odisha: 1) Nababharat Shiksha Parishad, Anupooma Bhawan, Rourkela; 2) North Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha.

Maharashtra: Raja Arabic University, Nagpur.

Kerala: St. John's University, Kishanattam.

Karnataka: Badagnvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society, Belgaum.

Andhra Pradesh: Christ New Testament Deemed University, Guntur.

Puducherry: Sree Bodhi Academy of Higher Education, Thilaspet, Vazhuthavoor Road, Puducherry.

The revelation has dreadfully pushed the students enrolled in these above universities to endure a challenge in sailing their academics towards building their careers. It has also alarmed the students in choosing and applying to colleges to stay cautious in choosing the institutions for their higher education. Before seeking admission, you must check the UGC website for valid, legal, and fake universities. The commission would be updating the information from time to time and students must ensure that they are picking the right varsity without which they may end up in the wrong place in shaping their career.