By Dr. Rajkumar Singh
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is an autonomous body established by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in India to assess and accredit higher education institutions in the country. It evaluates institutions based on a set of criteria and a grading system. The key components of the NAAC grading system include ‘Grades’: NAAC assigns grades to institutions based on their overall performance. The grades are on a seven-point scale, ranging from A++ to D. The grading system helps in categorizing institutions according to their quality and performance levels.
NAAC evaluates institutions based on seven criteria, known as the “Seven Criteria for Assessment.” These criteria cover various aspects of an institution, including its curricular aspects, teaching-learning processes, research, infrastructure, student support, governance, and leadership. Each criterion is assigned a specific weightage, reflecting its importance in the overall assessment process. The weights may vary, and institutions are required to provide evidence of their compliance with each criterion.
NAAC uses both quantitative and qualitative metrics to assess institutions which are required to provide data and documentation to support their claims and demonstrate their performance in different areas. NAAC also follows a peer review process, where a team of assessors visits the institution for an on-site evaluation. The peer review process involves interactions with various stakeholders, including faculty, students, and administrative staff.
Based on the assessment of the seven criteria, an institution is assigned an Institutional Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). This CGPA reflects the overall quality and performance of the institution. The outcome of the NAAC assessment is communicated to the institution in the form of a grade and a detailed accreditation report. This report includes feedback and recommendations for improvement. The accreditation awarded by NAAC is valid for a certain period, typically five years. Institutions are encouraged to undergo reaccreditation to demonstrate continuous improvement.
Purpose of NAAC-grading
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) grading serves several important purposes in the context of higher education in India. The primary purpose of NAAC grading is to assess and assure the quality of higher education institutions in India. It helps in evaluating the overall performance of institutions in various key areas such as teaching, research, infrastructure, governance, and more. The accreditation is not just about assigning grades, it is also about fostering a culture of continuous improvement in institutions. The detailed assessment and feedback provided by NAAC help institutions identify their strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to work on areas that need enhancement.
NAAC grading provides a benchmark for comparing the quality of different higher education institutions. This information is valuable for students, parents, and other stakeholders when making decisions about which institutions to choose for academic pursuits. The grading system brings transparency to the evaluation process, allowing stakeholders to understand the quality of an institution based on a standardized scale. This transparency fosters accountability among institutions to maintain and improve their standards.
NAAC accreditation is often a prerequisite for funding and support from government bodies and other funding agencies. Institutions with higher grades may have better access to financial resources and support for research and infrastructure development. Students and parents can use NAAC grades as a guide when making decisions about which institutions to choose for higher education. The grades provide an objective measure of the quality of education and overall performance of an institution. The process also encourages institutions to be accountable for their actions and to adhere to quality standards. The assessment process, including peer reviews and self-study, promotes a sense of responsibility and accountability within institutions.
Methods of NAAC-grading
The NAAC grading is determined through a comprehensive and multi-faceted assessment process that involves both quantitative and qualitative methods. The assessment criteria are the main methods involved in the NAAC grading process. It evaluates institutions based on seven criteria, which cover various aspects of an institution’s functioning. These criteria are Curricular Aspects, Teaching-Learning and Evaluation, Research, Consultancy and Extension Infrastructure as well as Learning Resources Student Support besides Progression Governance, Leadership and Management Innovations.
Each of the seven criteria is assigned specific weightage based on its importance in the overall assessment process. The weightage reflects the relative significance of each criterion in evaluating the institution. Institutions are required to provide quantitative data related to various aspects of their functioning, such as the number of faculty, student-teacher ratio, research publications, infrastructure facilities, and financial resources. This quantitative data contribute to the assessment of the institution’s performance.
Along with quantitative data, institutions are also evaluated based on qualitative metrics. This involves a qualitative analysis of the institution’s processes, practices, and outcomes. Qualitative indicators may include the quality of teaching, research contributions, student support services, and governance practices. Institutions are also required to prepare a Self-Study Report (SSR), providing a detailed account of their performance in each criterion. The SSR is a comprehensive document that includes evidence, documentation, and analysis related to the institution’s adherence to the criteria.
A crucial aspect of the NAAC assessment process is the on-site peer review. A team of assessors, consisting of academicians and administrators from other institutions, visits the institution for a detailed evaluation. The peer review process includes interactions with faculty, students, and administrative staff to gather first-hand information about the institution. The peer review team provides feedback to the institution based on their observations and interactions. This feedback is an essential component of the assessment process, highlighting strengths and suggesting areas for improvement. The institution has an opportunity to respond to the feedback and validate the findings.
The assessment results in the calculation of an Institutional Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), which is a numerical representation of the institution’s overall performance. The CGPA is then mapped to a letter grade on a seven-point scale (A++, A+, A, B++, B, C, and D).
The final accreditation outcome, represented by a letter grade, is communicated to the institution. This outcome reflects the institution’s overall quality and performance based on the NAAC assessment. The combination of these methods ensures a comprehensive and holistic evaluation of higher education institutions, leading to the assignment of grades that reflect their overall quality and adherence to established standards.
The writer is a Youth Motivator, presently Professor of Political Science and Dean, Student’s Welfare (DSW), at B.N. Mandal University, Madhepura (Bihar), India. Author of several books, he has published several articles in national and international journals and daily newspapers from 25 foreign countries.
