List of UGC-Approved Universities in India (2025 Update)
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- Jaro Education
- 5, October 2025
- 5:00 pm
A university approved by UGC the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India, which is the statutory body that maintains standards of higher education in India. This accreditation is important since it creates legitimacy for the degrees, diplomas, and certificates that these institutions offer.
This blog offers a revised guide to 2025, which will help to find a legitimate UGC-approved institution in India and know why such recognition is critical.
Why is Choosing a UGC-Approved University Important?
Choosing a university that is approved by UGC is one of the most crucial things you can do in terms of future studies. The UGC is a governmental authority that verifies the recognized institutes against particular Universities’ academic quality, faculty credentials, Infrastructure, and financial viability. The degree offered by a UGC-recognized university is a basic requirement in terms of proceeding to higher studies, employment in government, and other professional recognition. On the other hand, the diploma of a fake or unapproved university does not mean anything and may do much harm to your career.
Are there UGC-Approved Distance Education Universities in India?
Indeed, a good number of the distance learning universities have been approved by the UGC of India. India UGC has a specialized Distance Education Bureau (DEB) to permit and recognize those institutions that offer Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online programmes. This would be extremely important as it would assure the quality and the validation of a degree obtained via a non-traditional route.
Whenever planning to take a distance learning program, ensure that the UGC-DEB recognizes the university and the particular course you are willing to study. This information may be found on the UGC-DEB portal, where a series of HEIs to offer ODL, online programs have been recognized. The current distance learning approved list of universities can be seen on the official DEB site, and the list is constantly updated.
UGC Approved University List 2025
1. UGC-Approved Universities (Generic Category)
The UGC’s latest national aggregated data (as of Nov 14, 2023, with a June 2025 update) indicates:
- Central University: 56
- State Universities: 479
- Deemed-to-be Universities: 124
- Private (State Private) Universities: 455
The total increased to approximately 1,338 universities across the country (across all categories) by mid-2025, according to the Press Information Bureau.
2. Selected UGC-Approved Universities (by Select Category)
Central Universities, Noteworthy Examples
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi
- University of Delhi (DU), Delhi
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
- Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Delhi
- University of Hyderabad (UoH), Telangana
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Uttar Pradesh
State Universities, Top Examples
- APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala)
- Bharathiar University, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu)
- Delhi Technological University (Delhi)
- Mumbai University, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
- Bangalore University (Karnataka)
- Osmania University (Telangana)
- Savitribai Phule Pune University (Maharashtra)
Deemed-to-be Universities
The UGC states there are 124 deemed universities. That is, specific names were not included in the sources.
Private (State Private) Universities
The UGC lists 455 private universities. Due to the search results, specific examples were not implicated.
UGC Approved Distance Education Universities
Jaro Education is an online university education technology company that creates online and blended courses in education management and technology, and partners with various universities to support these courses. Jaro Education does not have its own UGC-approved university.
The list of partner institutions that Jaro Education collaborates with include:
Universities and Deemed-to-be Universities
- Amity University’s online degrees are facilitated through Jaro Education, providing online MBA programs and other degrees.
- Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune: Offers MBA programs with Jaro Education through its online degree options.
- Manipal University, Jaipur: Partnerships for online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
- Symbiosis School for Online and Digital learning (SSODL): As the online arm of Symbiosis International, a deemed university, collaborates with Jaro Education to offer online programs.
- Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham: Partnering on online programs, Amrita is a multi-campus university.
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST): Partnerships for online degree programs.
- Chandigarh University: Offers an MBA degree on an online and blended basis with Jaro Education.
- Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University: Collaboration on various online and blended learning programs.
- Chandigarh University Online – Online MBA
- NMIMS Global (Online) – Online MBA
Top Institutions (Executive and Certificate Programs)
Jaro Education also has agreements with highly ranked institutions for its non-degree, executive, and certificate-granting programs, which are not under the UGC-recognized university list, but are recognized as reputable programs under high accolades.
- Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) – Recognition, for online executive education and certification programs: includes IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Mumbai (Previously known as NITIE), IIM Indore, IIM Nagpur, IIM Tiruchirappalli, and IIM Visakhapatnam.
- Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) – Recognition, for online certification programs, for short & special course arrangements: IIT Bombay, and IIT Madras.
- Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA) – An Autonomous Business School – partners with Jaro with a hybrid model.
- Welingkar Institute of Management (We School) – A private management institute with hybrid courses.
Also, worth noting is, for every program, make sure to check the university’s accreditation on the UGC webpage, and for online courses, review the UGC-DEB portal to confirm the specific course is approved.
It’s important to note that all of these universities are UGC-approved. For your specific program, you need to check the UGC-DEB (Distance Education Bureau) website to be sure. Recognizing the university on the UGC site is helpful because it denotes that it is a public university; however, the DEB approves each program offered in distance education or online learning.
How to Check the UGC-Approved University List (2025 Update)
The surest way to know whether an institution is a UGC-approved university in India is to check the official UGC site. The UGC periodically publishes the list of universities approved by the UGC to cover new recognitions and cull out institutions that have lost their status or have been declared as fake. The most current list is, of course, very important to consult before applying to any university.
You can do such a check in the following easy steps.
- See the official UGC site.
- Go to the university.
There are various lists that are available on the site, including Central, State, and Private Universities, as well as deemed-to-be Universities. The appropriate category should be selected.
Then you can search the approved list of universities in UGC in that state, or use the search facility to find a particular university.
Benefits of Studying at a UGC Approved University
Have you ever tried to understand why some degrees attract doors and others some raised eyebrows? Why not- it’s because of the UGC approved status of your university. In India, the University Grants Commission (UGC) is the body that assesses whether universities are adhering to stringent academic and quality criteria. To enroll in a university that is UGC-approved is not insignificant, but it is the distinction between a degree that changes your future and a degree that will cripple your future.
- National and International Awareness
A degree course at a UGC accredited university is accepted all over India and other countries. This implies that your qualification is acceptable to tertiary institutions, competitive exams, and employment in any country in the world.
- Eligibility to Government Jobs & Exams
In case of UPSC or SSC, or state-level, a degree approved by UGC is mandatory. It is needed to not even have your application taken into account.
- Authenticity & Credibility
Most of the fake or unapproved institutions will always attract students with enticingly appealing advertisements, yet their value at the end of the vibrant education is null. By getting a university that is approved by UGC, an authentic academic status can be guaranteed.
- Greater job Opportunities
Qualifications that are checked by the UGC are trusted by employers. You can choose to work in MNCs, the government or even a startup, and in any case, a UGC-certified degree helps you have an edge.
- Information about scholarships and financial aid
UGC-recognized universities enable university graduates to apply for government scholarships and grants so that students can afford quality education.
Concisely, obtaining a degree from a university that is approved under the UGC is like having a treasured passport for getting a job, increasing the level of education and the culmination of adulthood credit. Without it, your degree can be just a piece of paper.
Difference Between UGC Approved and Non-UGC Universities
One of the biggest considerations when choosing a university is whether it is UGC-approved. The difference is literally a defining decision in your career, recognition, and future opportunities.
| Factor | UGC Approved University | Non-UGC University |
|---|---|---|
| Recognition | Nationally and internationally recognized. | Degrees are often invalid or unrecognized. |
| Government Jobs | Eligible for UPSC, SSC, State PSC, and other government exams. | Not eligible for government exams and jobs. |
| Higher Education | Accepted for PG, MBA, and PhD in India and abroad | Degrees are usually rejected for higher studies. |
| Credibility | Legally valid, authentic, and trusted by employers. | Questionable credibility; often considered fake or unauthorized. |
| Scholarships & Aid | Eligible for government scholarships, fellowships, and grants | Not eligible for official scholarships or financial aid. |
| Career Opportunities | Better job prospects in the private and public sectors | Limited opportunities; employers may not accept the degree. |
| Legal Standing | Recognized by law under the UGC Act, 1956. | Operates outside the legal framework; degrees can be declared invalid |
| Student Security | Safe investment in time and money | Risk of wasted time, money, and effort |
Why Choosing a UGC Approved University in India Matters
Selecting a university is not only about campus and informative brochures; it is about your future credibility. A university that has been approved by UGC or under its purview will ensure that your credential is legally recognised and open up doors to government jobs, higher studies, and employment anywhere in the world. On the other hand, a non-UGC university will leave you with a certificate that is just a piece of paper.
Conclusion
In a competitive environment, choosing a UGC approved university is the wisest move you can make to ensure a secure academic and professional path. Whether researching UGC-approved university list, planning to complete your studies with UGC approved distance education universities, or looking for an appropriate UGC approved university in India, you should always check whether your university is UGC approved. UGC approval certifies your degree and improves your employability in India or abroad.
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