UGC or the University Grants Commission is the highest authority as far as higher education and the universities are concerned. No university can exist, let alone confer degrees to run colleges without the approval of UGC. Universities can be private, state, central, deemed etc but irrespective of their category, a university which is approved by the UGC and listed in their list on the official website is a genuine and legitimate university. AICTE is a statutory body, established for proper planning & co-ordinated development of technical education system throughout the country. Where as the University Grants Commission of India is a Union government body that provides funds for government-recognised universities and colleges .It is the body that provides recognition for universities in India. UGC is University Grants Commission and not related to technical education alone. All state universities and some other universities are UGC approved. It grants funds for research to institutions and universities. AICTE is council for technical education only. Similarly we have for medical education, pharmacy, law etc. AICTE gives rankings to colleges. Approval from AICTE means a minimum standard will be followed but converse is not true, for example IITs and BITS Pilani are not affiliated to AICTE.

Hope this helps.