Article:
The world of higher education in India is an intricate and dynamic landscape. Broadly speaking, the sector is governed and guided by various bodies, among them the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), University Grants Commission (UGC), and other influential global organizations such as Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). In this context, the recent controversy surrounding the NAAC rating for Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda has brought to light certain aspects of this complex system. The university’s rating improved from A to A+ based on enhancements across various parameters.
About the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
NAAC is a self-governing organization under the UGC that evaluates and grades Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This accreditation process involves a rigorous assessment of various factors like curriculum, faculty, infrastructure, research, and other significant areas. The gradings range from A++ to C, with D indicating non-accreditation.
The primary mission of NAAC is to periodically evaluate and accredit institutions of higher education or their specific academic programs. It promotes quality teaching-learning and research environments and works towards fostering self-assessment, accountability, autonomy, and innovation in higher education. Additionally, it also undertakes quality-related research, consultancies, and training programmes.
Process for Accreditation: A Step-by-Step Overview
The procedure for achieving NAAC accreditation is primarily input-based, relying heavily on self-assessment reports submitted by the institutions. An applicant institution submits a comprehensive report containing quantitative and qualitative metrics, which is then validated by NAAC expert teams. Further, peer group visits to the institutions are organised as part of the assessment process.
Current Landscape of Accredited Institutions in India
With 1,043 universities and 42,343 colleges, the Indian higher education sector is significant. However, only around 406 universities and 8,686 colleges hold NAAC accreditation. Maharashtra has the highest number of accredited colleges with 1,869, followed by Karnataka with 914 accredited colleges. Tamil Nadu tops the list in terms of accredited universities with 43.
Eligibility for Accreditation: Who Can Apply?
The eligibility criteria for applying for accreditation include that the higher education institution must be at least six years old or have graduated at least two batches of students. The accreditation is valid for five years. Institutes must also be recognised by the UGC and should have regular students enrolled in their full-time teaching and research programmes.
The Present State of India’s Higher Education Sector
India’s higher education system is the third-largest in the world, following China and the United States. Despite such a large network, only three Indian universities – IIT-Bombay, IIT-Delhi, and IISc (Bangalore) – have been included in the top 200 institutes in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2023.
Challenges Faced by India’s Higher Education Sector
Issues plaguing the sector include a low Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), inequity across different societal sections, regional variations in GER, insufficient infrastructure, and faculty shortages. There’s a need to revamp the learning approach from rote learning to equipping students with relevant skills and academic abilities.
Recent Government Initiatives in Higher Education
In response to these challenges, the government has launched several initiatives such as the Education Quality Upgradation and Inclusion Programme (EQUIP), UGC’s Learning Outcome-based Curriculum Framework (LOCF), Graded Autonomy to Universities & Colleges, and Global Initiative for Academics Network (GIAN). These initiatives aim to enhance the quality and accessibility of higher education, promote outcome-based learning, and strengthen the foundation of the higher education sector.
Lastly, the ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’ programme is a notable initiative to connect higher education institutions with local communities, thereby bridging the gap between academic excellence and social development needs.