2 yrs on, colleges await new NAAC rules rollout

2 yrs on, colleges await new NAAC rules rollout 

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesofindia.com 26.09.2026

Bengaluru: Higher educational institutions are awaiting implementation of National Assessment and Accreditation Council’s (NAAC) new accreditation framework almost two years after it was announced, with applications suspended since 2024. NAAC had proposed replacing its CGPA-based grading system, ranging from A++ to D, with a two-tier model comprising binary accreditation and maturity-based graded levels. 

The proposal followed recommendations of Radhakrishnan Committee on transformative accreditation reforms, approved by the ministry of education in July 2024. NAAC has not specified when the framework will be introduced. 

For institutions whose tenure has expired, NAAC has posted a circular on its website extending the validity of expired accreditations until the maturity-based graded system is launched. The delay has affected colleges seeking improved ratings to apply for autonomous status or transition to universities from autonomous colleges. “Institutions could also lose recruitment opportunities because employers consider rankings and ratings,” a faculty member overseeing accreditation at a private higher educational institution said. 

NAAC director Ganesan Kannabiran said the council is working to introduce a basic framework suitable for a sector with a large number of unaccredited colleges. “The framework must accurately measure quality without setting unrealistic standards that discourage institutions from applying,” he said. “I cannot give an exact timeframe, but it will happen soon.” Explaining the delay, Kannabiran said NAAC had received nearly 2,350 applications by the time they stopped accepting new ones in 2024. 

“We had a commitment to complete those existing applications, which continued until last Sept, as running parallel processes could have caused confusion,” he said. “A committee is reviewing modifications intended to bring more institutions within the accreditation system while maintaining a threshold level of quality. NAAC will launch the framework after its approval, while other preparations are proceeding simultaneously,” he said.