Naac to roll out new accreditation system, to end easy-grade era

MUMBAI: Nearly a year after India’s accreditation system came under scrutiny for rewarding institutions with questionable ease, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (Naac) is preparing to turn the page.

In about 10 days, Naac will formally start its Basic Level Accreditation system —a reset that promises to bring thousands of previously unaccredited colleges and universities into its fold.At the same time, the policy of Maturity Based Graded Level accreditation will be unveiled for public feedback. Unlike the broadbrush grades of the past, this new system divides the climb into tiers, each stacked with parameters that make reaching the summit—Level 4 or 5—a challenge for even the most seasoned institutions, said Naac chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe.Naac has announced accreditation will be a binary process. This means universities and colleges will be tagged as either ‘accredited’ or ‘still-to-be accredited’. While basic accreditation will be open to institutes graded for the first time, those already accredited earlier can opt for Maturity Based Graded Level accreditation.

“The new methodology is layered with multiple parameters, making it difficult for institutes to make it to level 4 or 5, the highest an institute can score.

It is not like the earlier system when it was easy to get an A or an A++,” explained Prof Sahasrabudhe. “There are strong benchmarks and growing from level 1 to 4, forget 5, will be very tough.”The new methodology was drawn up on the recommendations of Dr Radhakrishnan Committee, which was set up after TOI wrote a series of reports on corruption in grading system.While the future opens up, the past is quietly being put to rest.

Around 50 institutions still awaiting accreditation under the old regime will finally receive theirs, after which the old portal will shut down. “A new accreditation portal for India is ready,” said Prof Sahasrabudhe. He added that this is more than just a procedural update. “It’s a reset in how educational quality is understood — not as a fixed badge of honour, but as an evolving continuum.

”NAAC will release the draft policy of Maturity Based Graded Level accreditation to encourage accredited institutions to “raise their bar, continuously improve”. The maturity based graded levels will be implemented later in the year.