Former UGC Chairman Professor Thorat said NAAC accreditation is a move to assess and thereafter ensure the quality of education offered in institutions of higher education in the country. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has framed a regulation making it mandatory for all universities and colleges to be certified by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). NAAC accredits UGC 2(f) & 12B as well as non 2(f) & 12B HEIs. Education plays a vital role in the development of any nation. Therefore, there is a premium on both quantity (increased access) and quality (relevance and excellence of academic programmes offered) of higher education. Like in any other domain, the method to improve quality remains the same. Finding and recognising new needs and satisfying them with products and services of international standards. The NAAC has been set up to help all participating institutions assess their performance vis-a-vis set parameters. A rating agency for academic excellence across India, and the country's first such effort.
Benefits of Accreditation
• Helps the institution to know its strengths, weaknesses and opportunities through an informed review process.
• To identify internal areas of planning and resource allocation.
Enhances collegiality on the campus.
• Outcome provides funding agencies objective data for performance funding.
Initiates institutions into innovative and modern methods of pedagogy.
• Gives institutions a new sense of direction and identity.
• Provides society with reliable information on quality of education offered.
• Employers have access to information on the quality of education offered to potential recruitees.
• Promotes intra and inter-institutional interactions.
NAAC's process of assessment is towards holistic, systematic, objective, data-based, transparent and shared experience for institutional improvement. NAAC has formulated a three stage process for assessment and accreditation as given below:
1. The First-Step: ‘Institutional Eligibility for Quality Assessment (IEQA): In the first step of Assessment and Accreditation, “Institutional Eligibility for Quality Assessment” (IEQA) is required to be obtained by an applicant institution at the beginning, while it is still in the planning stage for assessment. The benefits of this step for an applicant institution are:
• To get recognized as eligible to apply for the second step comprehensive Assessment and Accreditation process;
• To get feedback from NAAC if it does not qualify in the first step, about specific improvements to be made for reaching the required quality level
• To receive assistance and suitable mentoring from NAAC in the latter case, for enabling it to qualify for IEQA in due course of time.
2. Preparation of the Self-Study Report by the institution, its submission to NAAC and in-house analysis of the report by NAAC.
3. Peer Team Visit to the institution for validation of the Self-Study Report followed by presentation of a comprehensive assessment report to the institution.
4. Grading, Certification and Accreditation based on the evaluation report by the peer team.
Criteria for Assessment
Any assessment and subsequent accreditation is made with reference to a set of parameters so that the standing of an institution can be compared with that of other similar institutions.
NAAC has identified the following seven criteria to serve as the basis of its assessment procedures:
• Curricular Aspects
• Teaching-Learning and Evaluation
• Research, Consultancy and Extension
• Infrastructure and Learning Resources
• Student Support and Progression
• Governance and Leadership
• Innovative practices
Units of Assessment
To assess and grade the institutions of higher education using the three step process for accreditation and make the outcome as objective as possible, NAAC has developed an instrument. Though the methodology and the broad framework of the instrument are the same, there is a slight difference in the focus of the instrument depending on the unit of Accreditation.
Institutional Accreditation:
• University: University Central Governance Structure along with all the Under Graduate and Post Graduate Departments.
• College: Any College - affiliated, constituent or autonomous with all its departments of studies.
Department Accreditation: Any department/school/centre of the University.
Taking cognisance of differences in the unit of assessment, NAAC has made changes in the focus of the instrument. Thus separate instruments have been developed to suit different units of higher education. The manuals give details of the criteria on which value judgement on institutional accreditation will be taken by the peer as well as operational suggestions to get ready for the process. Separate manuals and criterion-wise aspects are being developed by Expert Committees in each subject for this purpose.
Assessment and Accreditation Fees
* For Seeking Institutional Eligibility for Quality Assessment (IEQA) Status (only for Affiliated/Constituent Colleges):
Remit a non-refundable Demand Draft of Rs. 2,000/- (Rupees two thousand only) (each time) as application fee, in favour of Director, NAAC payable at Bangalore, along with Institutional Formats of IEQA. Teacher Education Institutions /Physical Education Institutions in Jammu and Kashmir need to apply for the IEQA status. (The IEQA is not applicable to Universities, Autonomous Colleges, Colleges with potential for excellence, Professional Colleges, Re-accreditation, Re-assessment)
1. For Universities:
Up to Four Departments Rs. 75,000 /-
More than four but up to ten departments Rs. 75,000 /- + Rs. 7,500 for each additional department
More than ten departments Rs. 1,20,000 /- + Rs. 5,000 /- for each additional department
The accreditation fee will be limited to a maximum amount of Rs. 3/- lakhs per institution.
2. For General Colleges (Grant-in-aid, Private and Government):
a. College with multi faculties i.e., Arts and Science (Commerce will be treated as a part of the Arts) Rs. 50,000 /-
b. College with mono faculty viz., Arts/ Commerce/ Science /or any other Rs. 25,000/-
3. Professional Institutions:
Fee structure for institutions primarily conducting professional courses may be as determined by the NAAC from time to time. At present Engineering and Technology, Management, Law, Pharmacy, Medical and allied institutions (Allopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Dental, Nursing etc., ) are charged fees as per fee structure applicable to Universities as given in Sl. No.1 above. Fee for other specialized institutions will be as determined by NAAC from time to time. The above fee may be paid through demand draft drawn in favour of “The Director, NAAC” payable at Bangalore and submitted along with the self-study report.
• For Re-accreditation:
As approved by the Executive Committee pertaining to financial implications of re-accreditation is extracted below. “It was decided that those of the institutions who were accredited earlier and did not get the benefit of reimbursement of accreditation expenditure should be extended this facility whenever these institutions ask for re-accreditation, and the expenditure would be reimbursed as per the guidelines issued for the other institutions eligible for the same with effect from 1 st April 2004.” The institutions therefore may note that if they are recognized under 2 (f) and 12(B) of UGC Act., 1956, the accreditation fees need not be paid. The expenses on TA/DA of peer team would be reimbursed in case it was not reimbursed / paid for first accreditation by NAAC.
1. For Re-assessment:
In case of the institutions applies for re-assessment the Accreditation fee, TA/DA and also the local hospitality has to be borne by the host institution. NAAC will r eimburse the honorarium paid to the peer team members as per the NAAC guidelines. For more details refer “ Guidelines for UGC Assistance f or Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions . ” • Support for accreditation to Universities/Colleges recognized under 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act., 1956:
As per the decision of the UGC, the Universities and the Colleges under section 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act 1956, need not pay accreditation fee . Besides this the expenditure towards TA/DA of peer team visit will be reimbursed to the institution by NAAC , as per the norms. Universities / Colleges would however take care of local hospitality, transport and accommodation of the peer team. NAAC will reimburse to the maximum of Rs. 40,000 towards transport, accommodation and stationary expenses. For more details you may refer “ Guidelines for UGC Assistance f or Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions . ” This decision has come into effect from 1st April 2004.
• Teacher Education/ Physical Education Institutions and Departments
(not covered under 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act., 1956).
Teacher Education Institutions /Physical Education Institutions Rs. 25,000 /-
Teacher Education Department of a General Colleges conducting Teacher Education/ Physical Education Programme (s) Rs. 15,000/-
University teaching departments of Teacher Education / Physical Education Departments Rs. 15,000/-
In the case of General colleges with Teacher Education Departments: Colleges recognized under 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act., 1956 need not pay the accreditation fee. The TA/DA will be reimbursed as stated in Sl. No. 6. In case of Universities with Teacher Education Departments: Universities recognized under 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act., 1956 need not to pay the accreditation fee. The TA/DA will be reimbursed as stated in Sl. No. 6.
8. Guidelines for institutions not recognized under 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act., 1956:
1. The applicable assessment and accreditation fee should be submitted along with the self-study report.
2. In addition to the above, the institution will also meet the expenditure in respect of TA/DA, local travel and hospitality of the members including the officers from NAAC.
3. Reimbursement of Honorarium by NAAC : The institution will also pay an honorarium to the peer team Chairperson, Members @ of Rs. 1,500 per day. In addition the Chairperson will be paid Rs. 3,000/- (universities); Rs. 2,000/- (Colleges) as sitting fee and the member coordinator (in case where the situation arises) will be paid Rs. 2,000/- per institution towards incidental expenses. For more details refer “ Guidelines for UGC Assistance f or Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions. ” On completion of the visit and submission of receipts by the Head of the institutions to NAAC, NAAC will reimburse the honorarium and co-ordination fee paid to the members.
1. Mode of Payment:
The assessment and accreditation fee has to be paid in the form of Demand Draft drawn in favour of "The Director, NAAC" payable at Bangalore, which may be sent along with the Self- Study Report .
How to apply for Assessment and Accreditation
The institution should submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) online , along with the Information of the Institution, for assessment and accreditation. NAAC scrutinises the information to determine the eligibility and advice the institution about further steps required.
Documents to be Submitted to NAAC
The number of copies of the Self-Study Reports(SSR) and supporting documents to be submitted are shown in the table below
Universities - Eight Sets
Colleges - Five Sets
Benefits of Accreditation
• Helps the institution to know its strengths, weaknesses and opportunities through an informed review process.
• To identify internal areas of planning and resource allocation.
Enhances collegiality on the campus.
• Outcome provides funding agencies objective data for performance funding.
Initiates institutions into innovative and modern methods of pedagogy.
• Gives institutions a new sense of direction and identity.
• Provides society with reliable information on quality of education offered.
• Employers have access to information on the quality of education offered to potential recruitees.
• Promotes intra and inter-institutional interactions.
NAAC's process of assessment is towards holistic, systematic, objective, data-based, transparent and shared experience for institutional improvement. NAAC has formulated a three stage process for assessment and accreditation as given below:
1. The First-Step: ‘Institutional Eligibility for Quality Assessment (IEQA): In the first step of Assessment and Accreditation, “Institutional Eligibility for Quality Assessment” (IEQA) is required to be obtained by an applicant institution at the beginning, while it is still in the planning stage for assessment. The benefits of this step for an applicant institution are:
• To get recognized as eligible to apply for the second step comprehensive Assessment and Accreditation process;
• To get feedback from NAAC if it does not qualify in the first step, about specific improvements to be made for reaching the required quality level
• To receive assistance and suitable mentoring from NAAC in the latter case, for enabling it to qualify for IEQA in due course of time.
2. Preparation of the Self-Study Report by the institution, its submission to NAAC and in-house analysis of the report by NAAC.
3. Peer Team Visit to the institution for validation of the Self-Study Report followed by presentation of a comprehensive assessment report to the institution.
4. Grading, Certification and Accreditation based on the evaluation report by the peer team.
Criteria for Assessment
Any assessment and subsequent accreditation is made with reference to a set of parameters so that the standing of an institution can be compared with that of other similar institutions.
NAAC has identified the following seven criteria to serve as the basis of its assessment procedures:
• Curricular Aspects
• Teaching-Learning and Evaluation
• Research, Consultancy and Extension
• Infrastructure and Learning Resources
• Student Support and Progression
• Governance and Leadership
• Innovative practices
Units of Assessment
To assess and grade the institutions of higher education using the three step process for accreditation and make the outcome as objective as possible, NAAC has developed an instrument. Though the methodology and the broad framework of the instrument are the same, there is a slight difference in the focus of the instrument depending on the unit of Accreditation.
Institutional Accreditation:
• University: University Central Governance Structure along with all the Under Graduate and Post Graduate Departments.
• College: Any College - affiliated, constituent or autonomous with all its departments of studies.
Department Accreditation: Any department/school/centre of the University.
Taking cognisance of differences in the unit of assessment, NAAC has made changes in the focus of the instrument. Thus separate instruments have been developed to suit different units of higher education. The manuals give details of the criteria on which value judgement on institutional accreditation will be taken by the peer as well as operational suggestions to get ready for the process. Separate manuals and criterion-wise aspects are being developed by Expert Committees in each subject for this purpose.
Assessment and Accreditation Fees
* For Seeking Institutional Eligibility for Quality Assessment (IEQA) Status (only for Affiliated/Constituent Colleges):
Remit a non-refundable Demand Draft of Rs. 2,000/- (Rupees two thousand only) (each time) as application fee, in favour of Director, NAAC payable at Bangalore, along with Institutional Formats of IEQA. Teacher Education Institutions /Physical Education Institutions in Jammu and Kashmir need to apply for the IEQA status. (The IEQA is not applicable to Universities, Autonomous Colleges, Colleges with potential for excellence, Professional Colleges, Re-accreditation, Re-assessment)
1. For Universities:
Up to Four Departments Rs. 75,000 /-
More than four but up to ten departments Rs. 75,000 /- + Rs. 7,500 for each additional department
More than ten departments Rs. 1,20,000 /- + Rs. 5,000 /- for each additional department
The accreditation fee will be limited to a maximum amount of Rs. 3/- lakhs per institution.
2. For General Colleges (Grant-in-aid, Private and Government):
a. College with multi faculties i.e., Arts and Science (Commerce will be treated as a part of the Arts) Rs. 50,000 /-
b. College with mono faculty viz., Arts/ Commerce/ Science /or any other Rs. 25,000/-
3. Professional Institutions:
Fee structure for institutions primarily conducting professional courses may be as determined by the NAAC from time to time. At present Engineering and Technology, Management, Law, Pharmacy, Medical and allied institutions (Allopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Dental, Nursing etc., ) are charged fees as per fee structure applicable to Universities as given in Sl. No.1 above. Fee for other specialized institutions will be as determined by NAAC from time to time. The above fee may be paid through demand draft drawn in favour of “The Director, NAAC” payable at Bangalore and submitted along with the self-study report.
• For Re-accreditation:
As approved by the Executive Committee pertaining to financial implications of re-accreditation is extracted below. “It was decided that those of the institutions who were accredited earlier and did not get the benefit of reimbursement of accreditation expenditure should be extended this facility whenever these institutions ask for re-accreditation, and the expenditure would be reimbursed as per the guidelines issued for the other institutions eligible for the same with effect from 1 st April 2004.” The institutions therefore may note that if they are recognized under 2 (f) and 12(B) of UGC Act., 1956, the accreditation fees need not be paid. The expenses on TA/DA of peer team would be reimbursed in case it was not reimbursed / paid for first accreditation by NAAC.
1. For Re-assessment:
In case of the institutions applies for re-assessment the Accreditation fee, TA/DA and also the local hospitality has to be borne by the host institution. NAAC will r eimburse the honorarium paid to the peer team members as per the NAAC guidelines. For more details refer “ Guidelines for UGC Assistance f or Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions . ” • Support for accreditation to Universities/Colleges recognized under 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act., 1956:
As per the decision of the UGC, the Universities and the Colleges under section 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act 1956, need not pay accreditation fee . Besides this the expenditure towards TA/DA of peer team visit will be reimbursed to the institution by NAAC , as per the norms. Universities / Colleges would however take care of local hospitality, transport and accommodation of the peer team. NAAC will reimburse to the maximum of Rs. 40,000 towards transport, accommodation and stationary expenses. For more details you may refer “ Guidelines for UGC Assistance f or Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions . ” This decision has come into effect from 1st April 2004.
• Teacher Education/ Physical Education Institutions and Departments
(not covered under 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act., 1956).
Teacher Education Institutions /Physical Education Institutions Rs. 25,000 /-
Teacher Education Department of a General Colleges conducting Teacher Education/ Physical Education Programme (s) Rs. 15,000/-
University teaching departments of Teacher Education / Physical Education Departments Rs. 15,000/-
In the case of General colleges with Teacher Education Departments: Colleges recognized under 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act., 1956 need not pay the accreditation fee. The TA/DA will be reimbursed as stated in Sl. No. 6. In case of Universities with Teacher Education Departments: Universities recognized under 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act., 1956 need not to pay the accreditation fee. The TA/DA will be reimbursed as stated in Sl. No. 6.
8. Guidelines for institutions not recognized under 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act., 1956:
1. The applicable assessment and accreditation fee should be submitted along with the self-study report.
2. In addition to the above, the institution will also meet the expenditure in respect of TA/DA, local travel and hospitality of the members including the officers from NAAC.
3. Reimbursement of Honorarium by NAAC : The institution will also pay an honorarium to the peer team Chairperson, Members @ of Rs. 1,500 per day. In addition the Chairperson will be paid Rs. 3,000/- (universities); Rs. 2,000/- (Colleges) as sitting fee and the member coordinator (in case where the situation arises) will be paid Rs. 2,000/- per institution towards incidental expenses. For more details refer “ Guidelines for UGC Assistance f or Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions. ” On completion of the visit and submission of receipts by the Head of the institutions to NAAC, NAAC will reimburse the honorarium and co-ordination fee paid to the members.
1. Mode of Payment:
The assessment and accreditation fee has to be paid in the form of Demand Draft drawn in favour of "The Director, NAAC" payable at Bangalore, which may be sent along with the Self- Study Report .
How to apply for Assessment and Accreditation
The institution should submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) online , along with the Information of the Institution, for assessment and accreditation. NAAC scrutinises the information to determine the eligibility and advice the institution about further steps required.
Documents to be Submitted to NAAC
The number of copies of the Self-Study Reports(SSR) and supporting documents to be submitted are shown in the table below
Universities - Eight Sets
Colleges - Five Sets
Dr.R.K.Behera, Co-ordinator, IQAC,
Patkai Christian Colleges (Autonomous)
