UGC Warns Students About Fake 'University of Colombo' Degrees – Declares Them Invalid

This action was triggered by a fake advertisement (believed to have circulated in vernacular languages ​​such as Marathi) promoting an honorary doctorate event in Pune, Maharashtra.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a public notice warning students, parents, and the general public not to fall prey to advertisements offering fake degrees, including honorary doctorates, in the name of the “University of Colombo” in India.

The UGC has categorically clarified that no university bearing the name "University of Colombo" is recognized to operate in India or to offer undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs, whether in on-campus, distance learning, or online formats. Therefore, any such claim or advertisement is fraudulent and legally invalid, it stated.

“It is hereby brought to the notice of students, parents, and the general public that there is no university named University of Colombo in India listed as recognized by the UGC,” the official UGC notification stated.

This action was triggered by a fake advertisement—believed to have circulated in vernacular languages ​​such as Marathi—promoting an honorary doctorate event in Pune, Maharashtra. The UGC confirmed that the advertisement was misleading, as the use of the name "University of Colombo" gave a false impression of legitimacy, despite using a different logo.

Real “University of Colombo” Disassociates, Flags Misuse

In a parallel development, the University of Colombo (Sri Lanka), through a formal letter from its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Indika Karunathilake, has distanced itself from any such activity in India and has described the misuse of its name as “unauthorized and unlawful.”

“These actions are being carried out without any authority or affiliation with our university and violate intellectual property and higher education regulations,” Professor Karunathilake wrote in a letter to the UGC secretary.

The Sri Lankan university expressed concern about fraudulent entities awarding honorary doctorates using its name, thereby misleading the public and damaging the institution's reputation. It confirmed that it does not endorse, authorize, or organize such events or affiliations in India.

The Vice Chancellor urged the UGC to initiate immediate legal and regulatory action and to involve law enforcement or cybercrime authorities, if required.

UGC Cautions Against Falling for Fake Degrees

The UGC has stated that as per Section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956, only recognised universities are authorised to award degrees in India, and such degrees must conform to the nomenclature specified by the commission. Hence, any degree—especially an honorary doctorate—claimed to be awarded by “University of Colombo” in India is invalid for academic progression or employment.

Students and parents have been advised to verify the list of recognised universities on the official UGC website (www.ugc.ac.in) and avoid falling victim to degree scams, which continue to surface under new names and formats.

The UGC also warned that degrees issued by such unauthorised entities will not be accepted for higher education admissions, public sector jobs, or legal validation in India.