The University Grants Commission (UGC), India’s apex body for coordinating, determining, and maintaining standards of higher education, has recently issued a Public Notice warning stakeholders against fraudulent monetary demands being made in the name of approving UGC scheme proposals. This notice serves as both a caution and a call to action for universities, colleges, and individual applicants engaged with UGC-funded schemes.
Understanding the Issue
According to the UGC’s July 2025 notice, several complaints have surfaced from educational institutions and stakeholders who have been contacted by fraudsters impersonating UGC officials. These imposters have allegedly demanded money or “processing fees” in exchange for approval or expedited processing of proposals under various UGC schemes.
These schemes, often related to research grants, development assistance, faculty fellowships, and institutional infrastructure enhancement, are normally awarded through a transparent, merit-based selection process. The recent scam attempts not only exploit applicants’ aspirations but also threaten the integrity of the country’s higher education funding system.
What the Public Notice Clarifies
The UGC’s public notice strongly emphasizes the following:
UGC Does Not Charge for Scheme Approvals
All UGC schemes are processed without any monetary requirement or unofficial transaction. No processing fee, facilitation cost, or bribe is required at any stage.
Communications Only Through Official Channels
Any legitimate communication from the UGC will be made through its official email domain (ending in @ugc.ac.in) or posted on the official website www.ugc.gov.in. Stakeholders are urged to verify the authenticity of all emails, phone calls, or messages received.
Reporting Mechanism
The UGC has asked stakeholders to immediately report any fraudulent demand or suspicious interaction to the Commission through their grievance redressal portal or via email to prevent further exploitation.
Strict Legal Action Against Imposters
The notice warns that the UGC is coordinating with law enforcement agencies to identify and take criminal action against individuals or groups attempting to extort money in its name.
Implications for Stakeholders
This issue is a reminder of the need for increased digital and procedural awareness within the academic community. Many institutions—especially those in rural or under-resourced areas—may not be fully familiar with how UGC schemes are processed, making them more vulnerable to deception.
Faculty members, administrative staff, and researchers should be trained to:
Recognize official UGC correspondence and documentation
Never share sensitive proposal or financial information with unauthorized individuals
Verify any claims through the UGC portal or helplines before acting
UGC’s Call for Transparency and Vigilance
At its core, the UGC’s notice reaffirms its commitment to transparency, fairness, and zero tolerance for corruption. The Commission’s quick response in addressing this fraud attempt reinforces its role as a guardian of academic standards and ethical practices in higher education.
As we move forward into a more digitally connected yet increasingly vulnerable environment, academic institutions must adopt a culture of vigilance and integrity, ensuring that their engagement with public schemes remains safe, ethical, and effective.