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Following the Robodog controversy, Galgotias University retracted the 2020 research paper on coronavirus.
Harsh Goenka expressed sympathy for Galgotias University students. (Photo Credit: X)
Industrialist Harsh Goenka weighed in on social media about Galgotias University as he drew sharp attention to the gap between the university’s claims and reality.
At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Goenka’s tweet poked fun at the institution while expressing sympathy for its students caught up in repeated controversies.
Harsh Goenka Takes A Dig At Galgotias University
The controversy began when a Galgotias University professor showcased a four-legged robot at the AI summit. They claimed it was developed in the university’s Centre of Excellence and named it ‘Orion’. Social media users identified it as a Chinese-made Unitree Go2, sold commercially for roughly Rs 2-3 lakh. The university was subsequently asked to vacate its stall and the incident sparked discussions on originality and authenticity.
Goenka seized the opportunity to make a witty observation by referencing a 2020 paper published by Galgotias titled ‘Corona Virus Killed by Sound Vibrations Produced by Thali or Ghanti’ which had claimed metallic sounds could neutralise COVID-19.
“Galgotias, now in the news for robots, is the same university whose faculty once published a paper suggesting that thali and bell vibrations could kill coronavirus. My heart goes to the students of this university who will feel ashamed to say where they are studying,” industrialist Harsh Goenka said in a post on X.
Galgotias, now in the news for robots, is the same university whose faculty once published a paper suggesting that thali and bell vibrations could kill coronavirus. My heart goes to the students of this university who will feel ashamed to say where they are studying.— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) February 19, 2026
Following the Robodog controversy, Galgotias University retracted the 2020 research paper on coronavirus.
A note shared online stated that the paper had been removed from all platforms: “This article has been retracted by the publisher from all platforms. The wrong paper had been published due to some technical glitch. Information in this paper is misleading readers and creating conflict in the scientific community. Appropriate action has been taken against the author, editor and staff responsible for such an act. Apologies for the inconvenience caused.”
गलगोटिया यूनिवर्सिटी द्वारा एक शोध पत्र प्रकाशित किया गया था “थाली और घंटी बजा कर कोरोना वायरस मारा सकता है”। बाद में प्रकाशक ने शोध पत्र को वापस कर दिया था और लेखक और एडिटर के ऊपर कार्यवाही भी किया था।इस यूनिवर्सिटी के छात्रों से क्या ही उम्मीद किया जा सकता है।
The Korean Drone At AI Impact Summit 2026
The robot wasn’t the only exhibit attracting skepticism. A football-playing drone presented as an indigenous project by Galgotias University was identified by users online as a Striker V3 ARF, a commercially available model from the South Korean company Helsel Group, retailing in India for around Rs 40,000. These incidents fueled debate about the university’s claims of innovation, originality and authenticity at national-level forums like the AI Impact Summit.
‘Galgotias Files More Patents Than IIT’
One user, resharing Goenka’s post, claimed that the university “files more patents than all IITs combined not because they’re innovating but because they figured out the cheat code.”
The user explained in detail: universities discovered a “playbook” where filing a patent costs roughly Rs 1,600 and the government reimburses up to Rs 2 lakh per filing. By filing hundreds or thousands of patents, institutions could collect significant sums even if the patents were never commercialised.
The post continued: “file 1000 patents → collect Rs 20cr → boost NIRF rank → attract more students → collect fees → repeat.”
The user further mentioned that India ranks fifth globally when it comes to filing patents but last among the top 6 in grant rate.
“Japan converts 70 per cent of filings into grants. We convert 40 per cent. We ain’t building but chasing wrong metrics. And the worst part? The system rewards it. NIRF counts raw filings, not grants. So, the incentive is to file garbage at scale, not build real IP. This is what happens when you optimise for the scoreboard instead of the game. We’re really good at looking innovative. not as good at being it,” the user wrote.
Urban “Maxwell” Incident: Students Fumble Viral Protest
In 2024, Galgotias University students went viral for a political protest in New Delhi against “urban naxalism.” Several students were filmed struggling to read or explain the slogans on their placards with many mispronouncing it as “urban maxwell.” When reporters asked about inheritance tax, the Congress manifesto or the meaning of “urban naxalism,” the students fumbled and appeared visibly confused. The clip circulated widely as a meme.
TIL galgotias university files more patents than all IITs combined.
not because they’re innovating. bcz they figured out the cheat code.
filing a patent in india costs ₹1,600.
govt reimburses up to ₹2 lakh per filing.
that’s a 125x return. before the patent does anything.… https://t.co/uYNqGllFE3 pic.twitter.com/zgJ8ihMj7c
— Priyanshu Ratnakar (@0xratnakar) February 20, 2026
Legal Troubles: Founders Under Scrutiny
The Galgotias family itself has faced legal challenges. In 2014, Dhruv Galgotia, CEO of Galgotias University, and his mother Padmini Galgotia were arrested on charges including forgery, fraud and loan default, Inventica reported. Allegedly, they submitted fake documents, misrepresented affiliations and defaulted on over Rs 120 crore in liabilities.
Delhi, India, India
February 21, 2026, 16:18 IST
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