NAAC Accreditation Process

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The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) plays a crucial role in assessing and accrediting higher education institutions (HEIs) in India, ensuring quality assurance and promoting academic excellence. However, recent concerns regarding bribery and potential malpractices within the process have raised questions about its transparency and fairness.

What is NAAC?

NAAC was established in 1994 under the University Grants Commission (UGC) to evaluate the quality of higher education institutions across India. It is an autonomous body funded by the UGC and headquartered in Bangalore. The primary mandate of NAAC is to ensure quality assurance in HEIs and to promote the integration of quality practices into their functioning.

NAAC Grading Process

The accreditation process conducted by NAAC involves a comprehensive assessment of various parameters, including infrastructure, teaching quality, governance, research output, and student satisfaction. Institutions seeking accreditation must submit a Self-Study Report (SSR), detailing their operations and performance. Following this, a team of peer experts, selected through a computerized system, conducts an on-site inspection to evaluate the institution.

Accreditation is awarded on an 8-point scale, ranging from A++ (highest) to D (lowest). The duration of accreditation varies based on the grade, typically ranging from 5 to 7 years, after which institutions must reapply. Higher grades often result in benefits such as autonomy and eligibility for additional UGC funding.

Issues with the NAAC Process

Despite its importance, the NAAC accreditation process has faced criticism over the years. Allegations of malpractice, such as the selection of biased inspection team members and the manipulation of grades, have been raised. A limited pool of assessors and concerns regarding the fairness of their selection process further complicate the integrity of the evaluation. Additionally, reports suggest issues with the online submission process and the accuracy of data provided by institutions.

In 2023, the resignation of the former NAAC chairman highlighted concerns regarding vested interests and manipulation within the grading process, prompting calls for reforms.

Proposed Reforms and Changes

In response to these concerns, NAAC is transitioning to a binary accreditation system, where institutions will be classified as either ‘accredited’ or ‘not accredited’, replacing the existing grading scale. The new system also proposes categorizing institutions based on their level of achievement, from basic accreditation (Level 1) to global excellence in research and education (Level 5).

To enhance the credibility of the process, NAAC plans to validate submitted data using crowdsourcing methods, involving feedback from faculty, students, and alumni, thus reducing the need for physical visits. The aim of these reforms is to increase transparency and objectivity, involving various stakeholders to ensure a fairer and more reliable accreditation process. NAAC is currently rolling out these changes through workshops and consultations with key stakeholders.

These proposed reforms are expected to address existing flaws and improve the overall integrity of the accreditation system, ensuring that it remains an effective tool for maintaining high standards in India’s higher education sector.