NAAC to launch fully digital accreditation system on July 29, likely to be announced by PM Modi

India has over 50,000 colleges and 1,170 universities, but only a small fraction are accredited due to complex procedures and fear of low grades. With the revamp, the traditional seven-scale rating system is being scrapped in favor of a more inclusive, entry-friendly model: binary accreditation, which labels institutions as either "Accredited" or "Not Yet Accredited."

“Many colleges feared poor grades and avoided applying. This new approach simplifies the process and encourages more institutions to come forward,” said Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of NAAC’s Executive Council.

The new Basic Level Accreditation (BLA) will require no field visits, allowing colleges and universities to apply completely online. Accreditation validity will now be three years, down from five, ensuring more frequent quality checks and sustained improvement.

A Tiered, Maturity-Based Pathway to Excellence

NAAC will also introduce a Maturity-Based Graded Accreditation system, a five-level framework (Levels 1 to 5) that allows institutions to progressively improve. Here’s how it works:

• Level 1 & 2: Fully online, minimal barriers—ideal for new or small institutions

• Level 3: Hybrid model—includes both online and onsite assessments

• Level 4 & 5: Highly stringent, only for institutions delivering world-class education
  
  

Institutions with robust quality systems may also apply directly for higher levels, bypassing the initial steps if they meet qualifying benchmarks.

“Level-5 will be awarded only to those matching international standards,” added Sahasrabudhe.

Why This Matters

Accreditation is a critical quality benchmark that helps students make informed decisions, assures parents of institutional reliability, and enables institutions to access grants, autonomy, and global collaborations.

The move comes at a time when India’s higher education sector is under global scrutiny—making transparency, digital governance, and institutional accountability more important than ever.

By shifting from grades to growth, and from audits to empowerment, NAAC is ushering in a new era of meaningful accreditation—where quality is not just measured, but nurtured.

Stay tuned with Luneblaze for exclusive updates on India’s accreditation reform journey.