
Fake PhD Honorary Doctorates for Sale in India
• Vivek Bindra, Madhu Krishan Under Fire
• Sprouts News Exposes Fake PhD Degree Scam
• Bogus PhDs Rock Academic Circles
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
Sprouts News SIT exposes a nationwide racket selling fake honorary PhDs through unrecognized institutions like WCAEPC. Key figures, including Vivek Bindra and Madhu Krishan, are involved in misleading the public with bogus degrees. Even IAS officers and spiritual leaders have been duped. The scam exploits academic titles for profit and prestige.
A major Sprouts News investigation has revealed the dark underbelly of India’s growing fake PhD racket, implicating several self-styled gurus, media personalities, and even civil servants. At the center of this academic fraud are individuals like “motivational speaker” Vivek Bindra, who has allegedly collected multiple fake PhDs from unrecognized institutions, including the so-called Royal American University in Boston — a non-existent body with no legal academic standing.
Bindra was recently seen accepting a bogus doctorate from Madhu Krishan, a self-proclaimed academic and habitual offender in the fake degree domain. Also present was Pawan Kumar Dhoot, another accused in the racket who actively sells honorary doctorates. Together, they have created a façade of credibility by forming fictitious institutions and hosting grand ceremonies meant to lure unsuspecting individuals.
Krishan has been masquerading as the Vice-Chancellor of multiple fake universities that exist only online. These “degree mills” use impressive-sounding names and official-looking seals but have no recognition from regulatory bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC).
WCAEPC: An International Fake PhD Scam Disguised as Academic Excellence
The World Culture and Environment Protection Commission (WCAEPC), allegedly run by Krishan and his associates, has positioned itself as a global academic authority. In reality, it’s a platform for distributing fake PhDs. These degrees, often sold to spiritual leaders, bureaucrats, and influencers, are completely devoid of legal standing.
Sprouts News uncovered how WCAEPC has misled a wide range of individuals — including IAS officer Tikam Chand Bohra and spiritual leader Yog Bhooshan Maharaj — by awarding fraudulent doctorates during public events held in cities like Delhi. Most of these recipients were unaware of the scam and believed they were receiving legitimate recognition.
WCAEPC falsely claims to have certifications from Niti Aayog, ISO, and other government bodies. These documents are frequently used to give an illusion of credibility, often accompanied by national emblems and logos to mislead both awardees and the public.
Selling Prestige: The Business Model Behind Fake Honorary Degrees
According to documents and witness accounts accessed by Sprouts News SIT, these fake PhDs are sold as part of elaborate award packages, often costing between ₹10,000 to ₹2,00,000. Despite costing as little as ₹15 to print, the counterfeit certificates are marketed as prestigious honors, bringing the sellers massive profits.
Award ceremonies are routinely staged to add legitimacy to the operation. Dignitaries are often invited under false pretenses, and foreign individuals’ images are posted online to give the operation an international façade. Shockingly, the name and photograph of Sudha Murthy, former chairperson of Infosys Foundation, appear on WCAEPC’s official material, falsely identifying her as “Head Development.” Sources close to Murthy confirm she has no connection with the organization.
Deceptive Institutions Exploiting ‘University’ Branding
Other questionable institutions such as Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hindi University (Mathura), Socrates Social Research University, and Jnana Deepa University (Pune) are also under scrutiny. These entities falsely advertise themselves as recognized academic bodies and misuse the term “university” to appear credible. In reality, they lack proper accreditation and have no authority to issue academic degrees.
Similarly, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Lokvidyapeeth in Amravati claims to be a “virtual university,” yet it remains unrecognized by the UGC. Despite this, it continues to operate, selling PhDs to unsuspecting individuals across India.
Sprouts News SIT Calls for Urgent Crackdown on Fake Academic Networks
This investigation highlights a dangerous trend: the systematic erosion of academic credibility. By manipulating public trust and legal grey areas, fraudsters are turning education into a commodity. The involvement of public figures like Vivek Bindra and media house owners such as Sudarshan News’ Chavhanke only deepens the concern, as they influence vast audiences.
Sprouts News urges the Ministry of Education, UGC, and investigative agencies to launch immediate probes into these networks. The Sprouts SIT remains committed to exposing these fraudulent operations and restoring the integrity of India’s academic system.
Sprouts News will continue to monitor and report on this unfolding scandal in the public interest.
'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 Bhoot, 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)
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
Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Sprouts News
Unmesh Gujarathi is an Indian investigative journalist and media professional with over 28 years of experience in print and digital journalism. He is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sprouts News, an independent investigative publication headquartered in Mumbai, established in 2020.
Throughout his career, he has held editorial positions at leading media organisations, including:
His reporting has focused on investigative journalism, governance accountability, public policy, corruption, crime reporting and the Right to Information (RTI) framework in India.
As Editor-in-Chief of Sprouts News, he oversees:
Investigative direction
Editorial standards and verification protocols
Legal compliance and ethical review
Newsroom operations and accountability processes
Education & Academic Background
Unmesh Gujarathi holds:
His academic background supports his reporting in areas related to governance, financial systems, public administration and regulatory matters.
Published Works & Contributions
In addition to newsroom leadership, he is the author of more than 12 books in Marathi and English. His published works cover topics including:
The RTI Act and transparency mechanisms
Political leadership, including writings on Balasaheb Thackeray
Career guidance
Investigative journalism practices
He has contributed to national dailies and digital media platforms, focusing on evidence-based reporting and public-interest journalism.
Editorial Approach
Unmesh Gujarathi’s reporting methodology emphasises:
Under his leadership, Sprouts News has published investigative reports related to governance, regulatory oversight and institutional transparency.
Professional Contact
Editor-in-Chief
Sprouts News
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Phone: +91 9322755098
Email: unmeshgujarathi@gmail.com
Portfolio: www.unmeshgujarathi.com