Why should every Higher Educational Institution(HEI) undergo NAAC Accreditation?

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) plays a pivotal and transformative role in elevating the quality of higher education in India. Established by the University Grants Commission (UGC), NAAC functions as an autonomous body mandated to assess and accredit Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the country, using a comprehensive, evidence-based framework that aligns with global best practices in quality assurance.

In the context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, NAAC’s role is more crucial than ever before. NEP 2020 outlines a visionary roadmap to transform India's higher education landscape by making it holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, technology-enabled, and learner-centric. At its core, the NEP aims to foster a system that champions equity, inclusion, academic excellence, and continuous quality enhancement. It envisions the creation of a robust accreditation ecosystem, where institutions are not only evaluated for current standards but are also guided and supported toward ongoing improvement and innovation.

NAAC acts as a strategic enabler of this vision by offering a structured mechanism through which HEIs can systematically assess their strengths, identify gaps, implement best practices, and align their institutional missions with national priorities. It ensures that institutions engage in transparent self-assessment, adopt data-driven planning, and promote a culture of accountability and excellence.

In this evolving educational landscape, NAAC accreditation transcends mere regulatory compliance. It is a strategic necessity for HEIs striving to remain competitive, relevant, and impactful in the 21st-century knowledge economy. Institutions that embrace the NAAC framework are better positioned to contribute to the NEP’s objectives and to deliver high-quality, future-ready education to their students.

Benefits of NAAC Accreditation

1. Government Scholarships: Eligibility for Central or State Government Social Welfare Schemes such as Scholarships for SC/ST, OBC, or other categories.
   
   

2. New Programs and Intake Expansion: NAAC accreditation is now mandatory for the introduction of new programs and for increasing intake in existing ones.
   
   

3. Inter-State Admissions: Many state-linked schemes are tied to NAAC accreditation. For instance, the Bihar Students Credit Card (BSSC) can only be availed at NAAC A-graded colleges.
   
   

4. Government Grants:

• Inclusion under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act for eligibility to receive UGC funds.

• Inclusion under Section 12(B) for access to Central Government funds.

• Eligibility for funds to host NAAC-sponsored seminars.
  
  

5. Eligibility for MNC Placements: Major multinational companies like Amazon and Facebook consider only NAAC-accredited institutions for campus placements.
   
   

6. Credibility: NAAC accreditation enhances public credibility and student trust, leading to increased admissions. It also supports continuous evaluation and quality improvement.
   
   

7. Autonomy & Deemed University Eligibility: Only NAAC-accredited institutions are eligible to apply for Autonomous Status or to become a Deemed University.
   
   

The Current Landscape

Despite its importance, NAAC accreditation is still significantly underutilized:

• Only 20% of colleges in India are NAAC-accredited.

• Of these, just 4% have achieved an ‘A’ grade or higher.
  
  

This indicates a vast untapped potential among institutions to upgrade their academic practices and unlock new possibilities through accreditation.