New Delhi’s tech circles are still reeling from a major embarrassment at the Bharat AI Impact Summit 2026, where Galgotias University faced backlash for falsely presenting a Chinese robotic dog as their own innovation. The controversy erupted when a university representative showcased Unitree’s Orion (Go2) robot at their pavilion, claiming it was developed in their Center of Excellence. Social media exploded with outrage, quickly identifying it as a commercial product from China, available in India for 2-3 lakh rupees.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah didn’t hold back. In a sharp post on X, he lambasted the university’s handling of the fiasco. ‘Thank God I didn’t get an education like this from Galgotias,’ he wrote, accusing them of teaching students to plagiarize, dodge accountability, make excuses, and scapegoat employees when caught. His words struck a chord amid the viral video of Professor Neha Singh, from the Communications department, proudly touting the robot as a homegrown achievement during an interview.
The university swiftly issued a press release apologizing for the ‘confusion.’ They pinned the blame on an overenthusiastic representative who lacked accurate details on the product’s origins and wasn’t authorized to speak to the press. Insisting there was no institutional intent to mislead, they emphasized their commitment to academic integrity and transparency. Organizers even asked them to vacate their expo stall, which they did respectfully.
This incident raises serious questions about innovation claims in India’s AI landscape. As universities race to project prowess, such missteps not only erode credibility but also undermine genuine progress. Omar Abdullah’s critique highlights a deeper issue: the need for ethical standards in education and tech promotion. With AI summits drawing global eyes, one fake demo can tarnish national ambitions. Galgotias has promised corrective measures, but the damage to their reputation lingers.