What is NAAC? Why is it important while selecting your University?

Article by @Harkamal Singh Bajwa, Content Writer, Chandigarh University

The most diverse country on this planet, India also has one of the largest and diverse education systems in the world. With changing and evolving techniques, methods and requirements, the higher education system is transforming as well. The present-day world and industry require a higher educational institution to provide access to high-end training to faculty, hands-on projects and selective internship/recruitment opportunities for students and numerous other aspects. For instance, if someone wishes to pursue higher education in a particular part of the country then they may refer to the NAAC A+ accredited colleges in North India or others as per their convenience. However, with privatization on a rise, a widespread concern on the quality and relevance of higher education has also come into light. 

Hence, in order to assure quality standards and to address these concerns, the National Policy on Education (NPE, 1986) along with the Programme of Action (PoA, 1992) introduced strategic plans for the policies. Aiming to bring the policies in application, they advocated the establishment of an independent National accreditation agency. Owing to the efforts and strategies mapped for the same, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) was established in 1994 as an autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission (UGC). with its Head Quarter in Bengaluru. Making quality assurance an integral part of the functioning of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), the mandate of NAAC as reflected in its vision statement. 

The NAAC functions through its General Council (GC) and Executive Committee (EC) which comprises educational administrators, senior academicians and policy makers from a cross-section of Indian higher education system. The Chairperson of the UGC is the President of the GC of the NAAC, the Chairperson of the EC is an eminent academician nominated by the President of GC (NAAC). The Director is the academic and administrative head of NAAC and is the member-secretary of both the GC and the EC. In addition to the statutory bodies that steer its policies and core staff to support its activities, NAAC is advised by the advisory and consultative committees constituted from time to time.

Criteria, Role and Grading System of the NAAC

To be eligible for NAAC Accreditation, the institute must be first recognized and approved by UGC. Thereafter, the Institute must have an adequate number of students enrolled in full-time courses offered by the Institute. Before giving any accreditation, the evaluating body examines all the important aspects like quality of education, faculty of the institute, infrastructure, etc. The list of parameters or indicators on the basis of which NAAC assesses each high learning institute are mentioned below: 

• Infrastructure and other resources
• Research, Innovations and Extensions
• Curricular aspects
• Teaching-Learning and Evaluation
• Students Support and Progression
• Values and Practices offered at Institute
• Leadership and Management & Governance

NAAC Grading System

There are four different categories under which NAAC grades the higher education institutes. The categories are namely A, B, C and D, with each grade having its own significance as very good, good, satisfactory or unsatisfactory, respectively. For instance, the NAAC A+ accredited colleges in North India will have their CGPA ranging from 3.26 to 3.50, on the basis of which their performance would be determined.

The table below highlights the NAAC grading system in detail:

CGPA	Status	Grade	Performance
3.51-4.00	Accredited	A++	Very Good
3.26-3.50	Accredited	A+	Very Good
3.01-3.25	Accredited	A	Very Good
2.76-3.00	Accredited	B++	Good
2.51-2.75	Accredited	B+	Good
2.01-2.50	Accredited	B	Good
1.51-2.00	Accredited	C	Satisfactory
Less than 1.50	Not Accredited	D	Unsatisfactory

Why is NAAC important for an institution?

The NAAC (National Assessment Accreditation Council) is the national body that assesses and grades higher education institutions and validates their performance. Apart from accrediting an institution with a grade, there are multiple reasons behind the importance of NAAC Accreditation for Higher Education Institutes (HEI’s). For instance, the NAAC A+ accredited colleges in North India are expected to receive more applications than a college with a lower grade. Some of the reasons highlighting NAAC’s importance for an institution are as follows

• NAAC accreditation is crucial for UG grants, RUSA grants and financial aids.
• The institute finds out its own strength and weaknesses through the NAAC review process.
• NAAC helps in identifying areas of resource allocation and planning.
• NAAC assessment promotes the required modern and innovative methods of pedagogy.
• Funding agencies are provided objective data which helps in decision making on funding higher education institutes.
• Higher accreditation attracts credible and bigger employers for campus placements.
• A higher NAAC grade also means amplification in the reputation of the concerned institute. 
• Why is NAAC important for Students?

It is important for the students to do research before choosing a college or university for higher studies. Among the multifarious factors, one should also look for an institution’s NAAC accreditation. NAAC A+ Grade accreditation plays an indispensable role in the placements and course of study of the students. The higher NAAC Accreditation of an institution avails its students with a degree which has higher global or international acceptance. For instance, one of the students from NAAC A+ accredited colleges in North India would stand change for better opportunities than a graduate from an institute rated low. 

Additionally, it ensures greater opportunities for better placements as the industry prioritizes to recruit students from higher academic institutions. Some other reasons stating why NAAC accreditation is important for students have been listed below: 

• Figure out detailed features of the Higher education institutes like research, quality of education, infrastructure, etc.
• One can choose the best institute based on its accreditation by the NAAC
• Earn a degree with higher global acceptance
• Better academic exposure and placement opportunities since the industry prefer hiring from higher graded institutions
• Studying from NAAC accredited institutes opens foreign study options as well
• Matter of Pride for students to get a degree from the NAAC certified institution.
• Instant recognition of an alumnus of a credible institute
• Chandigarh University’s NAAC Accreditation

The youngest private university in the country to be accredited with A+ Grade by the NAAC, Chandigarh University secured a CGPA of 3.28 on 4 point scale and has been constantly ranked among the top institutes of Punjab for innovative pedagogy, placements, academic excellence and research. 

One of the few higher education institutions to attain A+ Grade accreditation, Chandigarh University secured the grade in the first evaluation cycle itself. The leading institution amongst NAAC A+ accredited colleges in North India CU is also the first private state university to be accredited by the council.