Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani told the Lok Sabha today that an online portal called Swayam is being launched to combat illiteracy in the country. This is one of the many steps the government is taking to achieve the target of zero illiteracy. In reply to a question the Minister said there are 233 private and 123 deemed universities in the country at present. <br/><br/>Eighty-eight of the 123 deemed universities are privately managed. Tamil Nadu has the maximum number of 28 deemed universities followed by Maharashtra with 21. Karnataka with 14 deemed universities is on the third position. Replying to a supplementary, the Minister said so far 21 fake universities have been identified in the country.