India is seeing a rise in fake honorary doctorate scams where titles and awards are sold for money. Investigations have flagged Tapan Kumar Rautaray and the World Human Rights Protection Commission for issuing unrecognised doctorates using official-sounding names and symbols. Experts warn that such practices mislead the public, weaken academic credibility, and allow individuals to falsely claim honour and authority without legal or educational basis.
Fake Honorary Doctorate Scam Exposed: Fraudster Tapan Kumar Rautaray, WHRPC, and the Growing Industry of Vanity Awards in India
India’s fake honorary doctorate racket exposes fraudster Tapan Kumar Rautaray, linked to WHRPC, accused of selling vanity awards and misusing official symbols, misleading citizens, damaging academic credibility, and exploiting trust in government-sounding institutions for personal gain.
India is witnessing a disturbing rise in fake honorary doctorate scams, with fraudster Tapan Kumar Rautaray emerging as a recurring figure in investigations involving misleading awards and misuse of official symbols.
Fraudster Dr (?) Tapan Kumar Rautaray, also spelled as Raut or Rautary, is accused of running multiple private entities that allegedly sell honorary doctorates and fabricated awards under the guise of public service.
These activities matter because fake degrees erode academic credibility, mislead citizens, and allow individuals to falsely claim expertise, honours, or proximity to government and international institutions.
Investigations reveal that such schemes exploit public trust in titles like “Doctor”, “Commission”, and “National Award”, which carry strong social and professional influence in India.
The alleged misuse of government logos, emblems, and institutional names further deepens concerns, as it creates a false impression of official recognition and legal authority.
Several recipients of these honours reportedly include professionals, social workers, and local leaders, many of whom may not realise the questionable origins of these titles.
World Human Rights Protection Commission Under Scrutiny
The World Human Rights Protection Commission, commonly known as WHRPC, presents itself as a human rights body but is not a statutory authority or a United Nations organisation.
Public trademark records list fraudster Tapan Kumar Rautaray as the proprietor associated with WHRPC, registered as a private entity in Delhi under Class 45 services.
Despite using the word “Commission”, WHRPC was not established through any Act of Parliament, unlike the National Human Rights Commission of India.
There is no legal mandate allowing WHRPC to grant degrees, honorary doctorates, or national level awards under Indian law or international frameworks.
Experts note that the use of institutional language closely resembling official bodies can mislead citizens unfamiliar with regulatory distinctions.
Media reports, including national and regional outlets, have repeatedly flagged WHRPC for issuing unrecognised honorary doctorates in exchange for fees.
Also Read: Maharashtra Charity Case Puts Government Revenue at Risk.
Related Article: Fake PhD Degree Scam List Using University of Colombo Name.
Unmesh Gujarathi’s Investigation Brings Fake Degree Scam to Light
Unmesh Gujarathi, a leading investigative journalist in India, has exposed the fake doctorate scam through sustained reporting. His detailed investigations and exclusive stories published on SproutsNews.com have revealed how vanity degrees and fabricated awards mislead citizens and undermine academic credibility.
Sprouts’ appeals to the public to beware of this racket- unless fake image-building is your thing.
Roster of Fraudsters: Beware of these individuals selling bogus PhD degrees. Contact the police immediately if you have been scammed.
Tapan Kumar Rautaray(Rout), Madhu Krishan, Maharshi Keshvananda, Anil Nair Thampi, Dinesh Kishor Gupta, Akepe Linus Enobi, Avinash Pawar, Joseph Legend Mfon, Musharrof Hossain, Vivek Choudhari- ESRDS, Siddic A Muhammed (Dubai), Kalyanji Jana, Riyas Sulaima Lebbe, Francisco Sardinha, Pawan Kumar Bhoot, Dnyaneshwar Yashwant Sapkal, Sundari Thakur, Ghanshyam Sakharam Kolambe ( Empower Social and Education Trust – Dadar), Peeyush Pandit ( Piyush Pandit), Abhishek Pandey, Mahendra Shamkant Deshpande (Nashik-Saputara-Gujarat), Lal Bahadur Rana (Nepal), Sunil Singh Pardeshi, Mangesh Deshmukh, Nareshchandra Kathole- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh IAS Academy, Amravati, Kishor Baliram Patil- (Bhivandi- reporter), Vishwas Arote (Akole- reporter), Surykant Rawool, Tarvinder Singh, Kiran Bongale (Sangli), Anwar Sheikh (Pune), BuAbdullah, Lokesh Muni (Ahinsa Vishwa Bharati ), Kavita Bajaj and Mansukh Damji Tank – (Rajkumar Tank), Gaurav Shah- BJP, Anajni Kumar- Delhi, Anwar Shaikh (Pune ), Harshad Madhukar Sangle (Pune) & Dnyaneshwar Yashwant Sapkal, Sandeep Marwah ( film producer), Sagar Ramakant Joshi ( Mira Bhayandar), Madhusudan Ghanekar (Pune, handwriting analysis and owner- Dr. Madhusudan Ghanekar Brahmadnyan Vidyapeeth), Dr P. Yohan -Guntur, Andhra Pradesh), Pedditi Yohanu (Hyderabad), R. K. Gupta Managing Director and Vice Chancellor (International), Sreekumar N Director – Marketing, Mission of Modernization (MOM), Dipak Harke
• List of fake universities awarding bogus PhD degrees:
► Gandhi Peace Foundation Nepal
► World Culture and Environment Protection Commission
► The Honorary Doctorate Award Council (HDAC)
► World Peace of United Nations University
► Bharat Gaurav Ratna Shri Samman Award
►World Human Rights Protection Commission’s (WHRPC)
► International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Council
► Royal American University (Kerala)
►World Peace United Nations University
► World Peace Institute of United Nations
► International Global Peace University
► International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Council (IACHRC)
► World Culture and Environment Protection Commission (WCAEPC)
► Adi Shankar Vedic University
► Poet Gurram Jashuva Memorial Kala Parishad
► Gangamma Devi Shakti Preetham Trust
► National Human Rights Peace Council
► International Global Peace University
► Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Lok Vidyapith (University)
► University of Louisiana
► The George Washington University of Peace, United States of America
► American East Coast University
► Socrates Social Research University
► World Human Rights Protection Commission (WHPRC)
► World Peace of United Nations University
► Mount Elbert Central University
► Maryland State University
► The University of Macaria
► Theophany University
► The Open International University of Complementary Medicine, Sri Lanka
► University of America Hawaii and Inox International University
► World Mystic Science Institute (OPC) Private Limited
► University of South America
► Southwestern American University
► The American University, USA
► Zoroastrian University
► Vinayaka Missions Singhania
► Adi Shankar Vedic University, Netherlands
► American Heritage University of Southern California (AHUSC)
► Peace University
► Global Human Rights Trust (GHRT)
► Trinity World University, UK
► St Mother Teresa University
► American University of Global Peace
► Jeeva Theological Open University
► World Peace Institute of United Nations
► Global Human Peace University
► Bharat Virtual University for Peace and Education
► National Global Peace University
► Ballsbridge University
► International Open University of Humanity Health, Science and Peace, USA
► Harshal University
► International Internship University
► British National University of Queen Mary
► Jordan River University
► Boston Imperial University
► Dayspring Christian University
► South Western American University
► Global Triumph Virtual University
► Vikramshila Hindi Vidyapeeth
► Jnana Deepa University (Pune)
► Oxfaa University
► Mount Elbert Central University
► Maa Bhuvaneshwari International University
► The Institute of Entrepreneurship and Management Studies (IEMS)
► Ecole Superieure Robert de Sorbon
► Central Christian University
► Azteca University
► University of Swahili
► Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Lok Vidyapith, Amravati
► International Human Rights Ambassador International Peace Corps Association
► Indo Global University, Hyderabad
► Mount Elbert Central University
► McSTEM Eduversity, USA
► Social Awareness and Peace University
► Indian School of Management and Studies
► Socrates Social Research University
► International Global Peace University
► Ballsbridge University
► Commonwealth of Dominica
► International Anti-corruption and Human Rights Council
► Bharat Virtual University
► Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hindi Vidyapith
► The George Washington University of Peace
► Asia Vedic Culture Research University
► Magic Book of Record
► European Digital University (EDU)
► Hessen International University
► Chicago Open University
► Global Conclave Virtual University
► Global Cocord Virtual University
► Cambridge Digital of University
► America Internation University (AIU)
► The Asia International Culture Research University
List of NGOs giving fake awards and degrees:
► Dadasaheb Phalke Icon Awards Film Organisation
► Shri Dadasaheb Phalke International Award Film Foundation
► World Human Protection Commission
► Mahatma Gandhi Global Peace Foundation
► Empower Social and Education Trust
► Nelson Mandela Nobel Award Academy
► Diplomatic Mission Global Peace
END OF REPORT
Sprouts News SIT is committed to continuing this investigation. If you have any information related to degree fraud, please contact us confidentially on 9322755098 contact number.
Salute to sprouts doing a good job exposing fraud people who sells Doctrate and other government awards to every Tom Dick and Harry .They don’t even check the profile .In India you can buy Dr.title without formal education. Even honourary Doctrate should be given to people who are change makers ,and have given life to build nation.Abdul kalam sir was honoured with numerous honourary Doctorate as he was a legend . The way Doctrate are sold in India one day will come every indian will write Dr. before their name ,It has to be stopped and complain to the government .Thanks I am your great fan Sir.