The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is a government organization in India that assesses and accredits Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It was established in 1994 in response to recommendations of National Policy in Education (1986). NAAC is an autonomous body funded by the University Grants Commission, with headquarters in Bangalore.
Functions of NAAC
The NAAC is entrusted with assessing the quality of India’s higher educational institutions. It awards grades to colleges and universities based on various parameters such as curriculum, faculty, infrastructure, research, and financial well-being. The grades issued by NAAC range from A++ to C, and if an institution is graded D, it means it is not accredited.
How is the accreditation process carried out
The first step involves an institute approaching the NAAC for assessment. The applicant has to submit a self-study report (SSR) containing information related to quantitative and qualitative metrics. The data is then validated by expert teams of the NAAC, followed by spot visits by peer teams comprising assessors drawn from universities across India.
Is a NAAC accreditation mandatory?
The process still remains largely voluntary, although accreditation from NAAC is considered essential for an institute to secure funding from government bodies and attract students.
Irregularities in NAAC operations
Out of the 1,113 universities and 43,796 colleges in the All India Survey on Higher Education Report 2020-21, only 418 universities and 9,062 colleges were NAAC-accredited as of January 31, 2023. People with vested interests are indulging in malpractices, leading to the awarding of questionable grades to some institutions. The IT system of the agency was found compromised. Assessors were being allocated arbitrarily. Nearly 70% of experts from the pool of around 4,000 assessors have not received any opportunity to make site visits, while some have visited multiple times. Among the other lapses highlighted was individuals without authority having full access to the NAAC’s internal system.
Way forward
The fear of obtaining poor grades holds institutes back from applying for accreditation. In 2019, the UGC had launched a scheme named ‘Paramarsh’ to address the issue. Under the scheme, some of the best performing institutes were identified to serve as mentors to at least five institutes aspiring to get accredited. The NAAC also explored the possibility of issuing Provisional Accreditation for Colleges (PAC), under which one-year-old institutes could apply for accreditation that would be valid for two years. Currently, only institutes that are at least six years old, or from where at least two batches of students have graduated, can apply. The accreditation is valid for five years.
MCQs on The Importance of Accreditation for Higher Education Institutions in India
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What is the purpose of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in India?
A. To accredit hospitals
B. To assess and accredit higher education institutions
C. To provide scholarships to students
D. To conduct entrance examinations
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What are the irregularities found in the operations of the NAAC?
A. The IT system of the agency was found compromised.
B. Assessors were being allocated arbitrarily.
C. Nearly 70% of experts from the pool of around 4,000 assessors have not received any opportunity to make site visits.
D. All of the above
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What is the validity period of the accreditation given by the NAAC to higher education institutions in India?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Five years
