The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is an autonomous body established by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India in 1994. Its main job is to assess and accredit higher education institutions (HEIs) in India, like universities and colleges. NAAC aims to ensure and enhance the quality of education provided by institutions. It evaluates aspects such as teaching, learning, research, infrastructure, governance, and student services.
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) process for an institution involves several systematic stages to ensure quality standards in higher education. First, the institution must register on the NAAC portal and submit the Institutional Information for Quality Assessment (IIQA) to confirm its eligibility. Once approved, the institution prepares and submits a detailed Self-Study Report (SSR), highlighting its performance across seven key criteria, such as teaching, research, infrastructure, and governance. After submission, the data is validated and verified (DVV) by an external agency, followed by a Student Satisfaction Survey (SSS) conducted independently by NAAC. Upon successful completion of these steps, a peer team composed of experienced academicians visits the institution to physically inspect and validate the claims made in the SSR.
Based on the findings from the SSR, DVV, SSS, and the Peer Team Report, NAAC assigns the institution a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) and an accreditation grade. The accreditation granted is typically valid for five years, after which the institution can apply for reassessment or reaccreditation to demonstrate continued improvement in quality.