NAAC Introduces Binary Accreditation System for HEIs in India; To be Launched in September

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Anil D Sahasrabudhe, chairman of the executive committee of NAAC, announced this during a regional consultative workshop (eastern region) on binary accreditation organised at Utkal University.

New Delhi: The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is all set to launch its newly introduced binary accreditation system for colleges and Universities in India from September 2024. This system will classify colleges and universities as either accredited or not accredited, replacing the existing multi-tiered grading system.

Anil D Sahasrabudhe, chairman of the executive committee of NAAC, announced this during a regional consultative workshop (eastern region) on binary accreditation organised at Utkal University. The binary accreditation framework was recommended by the Radhakrishnan Committee on Transformative Reforms and approved by the Ministry of Education.

What is the aim of the New Accreditation System?

The new system aims to simplify the accreditation process, making it more transparent and efficient. The binary approach is expected to streamline the assessment of educational standards and enhance the credibility of accreditation.

“We have been using a grading system during the last decade for the accreditation of colleges and universities. Institutions receive grades starting from C to A++ in the existing system. We found that many institutions are not taking part in the accreditation process for fear that they may not get a good grade,” said Sahasrabudhe.

Along with this, he also noted that there are around 1,200 universities in the country but about 65 percent of these universities do not participate in the accreditation system due to fear. “Similarly, the country has around 50,000 affiliated colleges, but around 85 percent do not apply for accreditation. It is a matter of concern. Without accreditation, how can we know their quality, strength, weaknesses, and performance?” he added.

“It is our main target. To achieve it, we have formulated the binary accreditation module to make them accredited. The new system will not have a grade system like the existing one. Institutions will not feel scared of applying for this,” added Mr Sahasrabudhe.

How will the HEIs be Assessed under the New Accreditation System?

As per the new accreditation system, peer teams will not physically visit the institutions as part of the assessment. The process of assessment of the self-study report will be done using advanced technologies.

Official sources state that the proposed framework should require fewer accrediting fees and take less cycle time. Peer institutions will conduct the data validation, which is primarily quantitative, to guarantee the objectivity and accuracy of the assessment. The proposed tentative framework of the new system has 10 attributes including 59 metrics for universities, 56 for autonomous colleges, and 46 for affiliated colleges.

NAAC is now conducting five regional workshops across the country to gather nationwide feedback from universities and colleges on the binary accreditation manual before its official launch. The regional consultative workshop (eastern region) held in Bhubaneswar was one of them.

About 500 participants, including 17 vice-chancellors, heads of academics, and coordinators of quality assurance cells from institutions in eastern states such as Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and West Bengal, attended the workshop.

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