Why School Teachers Are Becoming Easy Targets of Fake Awards and Doctorates in India?
Fake honorary doctorate and award scams are increasingly targeting school teachers across India. Education experts say limited career growth, lack of research exposure, and institutional neglect make teachers vulnerable to offers of instant prestige. Unrecognised NGOs exploit this gap by promoting bogus doctorates and “national awards” through ceremonial events. Poor regulatory awareness and digital ambition have allowed these networks to flourish, especially in rural and semi-urban education ecosystems.
• Names Flagged in Investigations into Fake Honorary Doctorates and Bogus Ph.D. Awards
Investigative reports by Sprouts News Special Investigation Team has named several individuals in connection with alleged fake honorary doctorate and bogus Ph.D. distribution networks operating through unrecognised NGOs and institutions, including Tapan Kumar Rautaray, 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, 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 (Bhiwandi – reporter), Vishwas Arote (Akole – reporter), Surykant Rawool, Tarvinder Singh, Kiran Bongale (Sangli), Anwar Sheikh (Pune), BuAbdullah, Lokesh Muni (Ahinsa Vishwa Bharati), Kavita Bajaj, Mansukh Damji Tank (also known as Rajkumar Tank), Gaurav Shah (BJP), Anajni Kumar (Delhi), Anwar Shaikh (Pune), and Harshad Madhukar Sangle (Pune). with reports emphasising that such naming reflects journalistic investigation findings, while reiterating that any doctorate issued by unrecognised bodies holds no legal validity under UGC norms.
Contents
- Why School Teachers Are Becoming Easy Targets of Fake Awards and Doctorates in India?
- Social Media Pressure and the Illusion of Prestige
- UGC Rules and Lack of Ground-Level Awareness
- Fake Ph.D. Scams and Alleged Institutional Networks
- Consequences for Teachers and Public Trust
- What Experts and Authorities Advise
- List of Fake Universities Allegedly Awarding Bogus Ph.D. Degrees
- NGOs Allegedly Giving Fake Awards and Doctorates
- Editorial Note
Fake doctorate and honorary award scams have emerged as a serious concern in India, with school teachers increasingly targeted by unrecognised NGOs offering academic titles, social prestige, and misleading public recognition opportunities.
Sprouts News education experts say the primary reason behind this vulnerability is limited career advancement, research exposure, and institutional recognition available to school teachers compared to university-level faculty across states.
Unlike college professors, most school teachers rarely access funded research platforms, academic journals, or national conferences, creating an environment where honorary doctorates appear as shortcuts to professional visibility.
When organisations promise “Doctorate,” “National Award,” or “International Honour,” many teachers accept such offers without verifying UGC recognition, assuming ceremonial events automatically indicate legitimacy.
Digital ambition, institutional neglect, and lack of regulatory awareness together form a dangerous mix, allowing fake academic networks to operate largely unchecked in rural and semi-urban education ecosystems.
Social Media Pressure and the Illusion of Prestige
The rise of social media has amplified expectations that teachers publicly display achievements, awards, and titles alongside their names, increasing psychological pressure to acquire visible credentials quickly.
The “Dr.” prefix or photographs from award ceremonies often enhance perceived social status, encouraging teachers to overlook due diligence when impressive titles are offered at comparatively low financial costs.
Alleged organisers exploit this aspiration by hosting grand ceremonies, issuing glossy certificates, and using professional language to create a convincing illusion of academic authenticity.
In several reported cases, teachers were invited as “special guests” or “education icons” and later surprised on stage with honorary doctorates, making refusal socially uncomfortable.
Sprouts News experts note that embarrassment, peer pressure, and fear of public disrespect often prevent recipients from questioning the validity of such titles during live events.
UGC Rules and Lack of Ground-Level Awareness
A critical enabling factor is poor awareness of University Grants Commission regulations governing academic degrees and honorary doctorates in India’s education system.
UGC guidelines clearly state that only recognised universities can legally award doctorates, while degrees issued by NGOs, trusts, or foundations carry no academic validity.
Despite repeated UGC advisories publishing lists of fake universities, awareness among school teachers remains limited, especially in districts lacking regular departmental training programmes.
Scam-linked organisations often misuse words like “peace,” “international,” “research,” or “foundation” to project authority, misleading recipients into assuming government or academic approval.
Fake Ph.D. Scams and Alleged Institutional Networks
India has seen a rise in fake Ph.D. scams involving unaccredited institutions allegedly issuing degrees nationwide, targeting teachers, principals, and working professionals seeking rapid credential upgrades.
Organisations such as Gandhi Peace Foundation Nepal and Ghani International University have faced allegations of distributing illegal Ph.D. degrees without recognised academic authority.
Victims reportedly paid significant fees for “fast-track” or “honorary” doctorates, only realising later that their degrees lacked recognition and professional acceptance.
Names including founder of the organisation fraudster Lal Bahadur Rana have surfaced during inquiries, though authorities stress that allegations remain under investigation and subject to legal verification.
Consequences for Teachers and Public Trust
Education department officials warn that using unauthorised titles in service records, official documents, or social media may violate conduct rules and trigger disciplinary proceedings.
Beyond financial losses, affected teachers face reputational harm, career setbacks, and legal scrutiny, while fake degrees erode trust in India’s education system.
Investigations by the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team have previously highlighted cases where fake honorary doctorates were allegedly distributed at prestigious venues, including Maharashtra’s Raj Bhavan.
Sprouts News investigative reporting has consistently warned that ceremonial grandeur and high-profile backdrops are increasingly misused to legitimise unrecognised academic titles.
What Experts and Authorities Advise
Education experts strongly urge teachers to verify UGC recognition before accepting any doctorate, award, or academic title, regardless of ceremony scale or dignitary presence.
They caution that certificates, medals, photographs, or international-sounding names do not equate to genuine academic achievement or legal academic authority.
Authorities recommend regular awareness programmes explaining UGC norms, service conduct rules, and risks linked to fake academic credentials for school-level educators.
Until enforcement strengthens and awareness deepens, experts warn that fake doctorate scams will continue exploiting ambition, social pressure, and regulatory gaps within India’s teaching community.
List of Fake Universities Allegedly Awarding Bogus Ph.D. Degrees
Investigative reports by Sprouts News Special Investigation Team ( SIT) has flagged numerous institutions for allegedly issuing fake or unrecognised Ph.D. and honorary doctorate degrees. These institutions claim international or academic credibility but lack UGC recognition in India or legitimate accreditation globally.
• Fake Universities and Unrecognised Institutions
•Gandhi Peace Foundation Nepal
•World Culture and Environment Protection Commission
•Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Lok Vidyapith (University, Amravati)
•University of Louisiana
•The George Washington University of Peace, USA
•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
•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
•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
•Indo Global University, Hyderabad
•McSTEM Eduversity, USA
•Social Awareness and Peace University
•Indian School of Management and Studies
•International Global Peace University
•Commonwealth of Dominica
•International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Council
•Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hindi Vidyapith
•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 International University (AIU)
NGOs Allegedly Giving Fake Awards and Doctorates
Sprouts News has also identified several NGOs accused of issuing fake awards, honorary degrees, and certificates, often for a fee or to enhance social prestige:
•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
Editorial Note
Sprouts News emphasises that these universities and NGOs are unrecognised by the UGC or any legitimate international accreditation body. Any degree or award issued by these organisations holds no legal or academic validity in India or abroad.
