Fake Honorary Doctorates Scam Exposed Across India.

Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098

A fake honorary doctorate scam, first exposed at a 2023 Anna University event, continues to spread across India. Fraudulent councils exploit public figures and charge hefty fees for unrecognized degrees. The Sprouts News SIT uncovers how academic credibility is being commercialized, urging urgent government action to safeguard India’s education system.

A scandal involving fake honorary doctorates conferred during a high-profile event hosted at Anna University, Chennai, has resurfaced in public discourse after a deeper investigation revealed the ongoing threat of academic fraud. The incident occurred in February 2023, when individuals posing as members of a fictitious body called the International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Council organized a glittering ceremony within the university campus.

Retired Madras High Court Judge T.N. Vallinayagam unwittingly presided over the event and awarded honorary doctorates to celebrities including music composer Deva, actors Gokul Gajaraj, Erode Mahesh, and choreographer Sandy. Comedian Vadivelu received his certificate at home, performing an MGR film song during the charade.

Though the event took place over two years ago, the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) finds that similar scams are still rampant across India, exploiting the gap in verification protocols and public awareness.

Anna University officials confirmed that their auditorium had been rented to the organizers, who falsely projected institutional endorsement by printing the university’s name and the national emblem on event invitations. Despite being a victim, the university is now facing public and media backlash for failing to vet the organisers’ background.

Attempts to reach the so-called council have failed—phones switched off, identities untraceable. Vallinayagam has since issued apologies, admitting he was unaware the event was orchestrated by conmen. One organizer even claimed links to the Reserve Bank of India, as seen in videos circulated online, adding a false layer of credibility.

This particular incident from 2023 is not an anomaly, but rather a symptom of a larger crisis in India’s higher education system, which remains vulnerable to exploitation.

The Anna University event laid bare the ease with which fake honorary degrees can be inserted into high-profile settings. Unfortunately, these scams have now metastasized across cities like Pune, Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Delhi, targeting individuals hungry for titles and unaware of the regulatory vacuum surrounding honorary academic awards.

The Sprouts News SIT has identified a disturbing trend—fraudulent educational institutions offering “honorary doctorates” to celebrities, businessmen, and spiritual leaders. Among recipients reported to have accepted unverified degrees are Vivek Bindra, Sneh Desai, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Whether these individuals were knowingly complicit or also duped remains under question.

Pune, a city celebrated for its academic institutions, is now becoming infamous for being a hub of unauthorized honorary degree distribution. The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) has discovered that unaccredited bodies are selling degrees—not awarding them on merit—for sums ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹1,00,000.

•Erosion of trust in academic institutions

•Legitimization of false credentials in professional spaces

•Encouragement of vanity titles over scholarly contribution

•Widespread public deception

Some recipients flaunt these titles in public forums, creating an illusion of authority and academic distinction—potentially misleading investors, students, and followers.

•International Global Peace University (Mysuru)

•Ballsbridge University, Commonwealth of Dominica (Kerala and Tamil Nadu)

These organizations maintain slick websites, stage events at premium venues, and even feature real-looking convocation attire and medals. In one instance, a Maharashtra-based businessman claimed his doctorate was from “University of Boston, USA,” only to later be linked to a dubious outfit impersonating the legitimate Boston University.

Shockingly, even officials from UGC-approved universities have been spotted legitimizing such practices. Vice Chancellor Dr. Shamim has appeared at events handing out certificates from these so-called “paper universities.”

In what can only be described as a mockery of higher education, the Sprouts News SIT uncovered an active racket offering honorary doctorates for ₹1499—delivered straight to your home. These glossy certificates, printed for under ₹50, carry forged seals, elaborate fonts, and grand titles.

These “Paper University” degrees are used for gaining credibility in business, coaching, social media influencing, and even politics. The allure of the title “Doctor” is being commercialized and commodified at scale.

•Immediate raids on suspected institutions

•Cancellation of permits to venues hosting unauthorized convocation events

•Creation of a public registry of legitimate honorary degrees

•Enforcement of legal penalties for using fake academic credentials

Some progress is visible—Savitribai Phule Pune University has created a mechanism to register complaints against fake PhD guides. However, far more systemic reform is needed across India.

The Anna University scam from February 2023 has become a blueprint for fraudsters, replicated in different avatars across India. While the event may be in the past, the menace of fake honorary doctorates remains alarmingly present.

The Sprouts News SIT has confirmed that these rackets have penetrated both urban and rural areas, exploiting the unregulated gap between recognition and credibility. Unless strict regulatory and legal measures are put into place, India’s academic integrity.

A fake honorary doctorate scam, exposed by the Sprouts News SIT, began with a 2023 Anna University event involving celebrities and a retired judge. The fraudulent council behind it vanished, but such scams persist nationwide, selling unaccredited degrees. Authorities are urged to act to protect India’s academic integrity from further erosion.

In a startling revelation, Sprouts News has exposed a photo featuring controversial self-styled motivator Vivek Bindra receiving a bogus honorary doctorate from known fraudster Madhu Krishan, while Pawan Kumar Dhoot—a notorious event organiser and alleged seller of fake PhDs—stands beside them. This trio has repeatedly come under scrutiny for misleading the public with fabricated titles, false credentials, and deceptive motivational schemes. Such staged recognitions are part of a dangerous trend of exploiting public trust for personal branding and monetary gains. It is crucial for people to remain vigilant and not fall prey to such fraudsters, who package deceit under the guise of inspiration and education.

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:

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, Tapan Kumar Rautaray, Pawan Kumar Dhoot, Dnyaneshwar Yashwant Sapkal, Sundari Thakur, Madhu Krishan, Ghanshyam Sakharam Kolambe, Peeyush 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.

List of fake universities awarding bogus PhD degrees:

► Gandhi Peace Foundation Nepal
► World Culture and Environment Protection Commission
► 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)

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