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Author :
Nisha Sharma |
NAAC is set to introduce an artificial intelligence-based accreditation framework in August 2025. This new method will replace physical visits with online check data tracking and feedback from stakeholders.
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council is preparing to upgrade and introduce the AI-powered accreditation system in August 2025. Due to this traditional visits have been replaced by digital verification mechanisms using automation, machine learning tools and stakeholder input.
The idea is to make the accreditation process efficient and transparent and scalable for higher education institutions all across India.
The new method will do away with physical peer review visits according to NAAC Chairman Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe which have often been accepted as slow and sometimes fall short of ensuring transparency. In place, the system will depend on:
Digital verification of documents
AI-based analysis of institutional data
Gathering feedback from students, faculty and other stakeholders
In line with recommendations of a committee constituted in 2022 under the leadership of former ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan to revamp the Indian accreditation process.
Presently, only around 40% of Indian universities and 18% of colleges are NAAC-accredited. By implementing the fresh system, NAAC hopes to extend coverage to over 90% in the span of 5 years, to improve both access and quality control.
A New Two-Tier Accreditation Framework
It advances a two-level framework:
1 Basic Accreditation
Institutions will be evaluated against a standard set of criteria and labeled "Accredited" or "Not Accredited." The performance indicators and scores required differ by institution type:
Universities: 55 indicators with a Minimum score 50%
Autonomous Colleges: 50 indicators with a Minimum score 45%
Affiliated Colleges: 40 indicators with a Minimum score 40%
2. Maturity-Based Graded Accreditation (Levels 1–5).
Institutions that meet the lower standards may then apply for a detailed graded accreditation ranging from Level 1 to Level 5. These levels indicate deeper levels of institutional development and performance.
An institution having already been graded A, A+ or A++ may apply directly for a maturity level. Where Level 3 is reached, physical visits will again be partially reintroduced in a hybrid mode to ensure accuracy of evaluation while minimizing the scope for manipulation.
