NAAC Under Scrutiny: Allegations of Corruption and Integrity Concerns in Accreditation Process
NAAC Under Scrutiny Over Integrity of Accreditation Process
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has come under scrutiny after revising and lowering the grades of around 200 institutions over the past year and a half. The move has raised concerns about the integrity of the accreditation process, especially following allegations of bribery to secure higher grades.
CBI Investigation into Alleged Corruption
The controversy intensified after the CBI registered an FIR alleging that bribes were paid to boost the accreditation grade of the Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, a deemed university in Andhra Pradesh. The FIR names seven campus inspectors, three university officials, and NAAC adviser M.D. Shyamsundar as accused.
NAAC’s Review and Downgrade Process
NAAC began reviewing grading anomalies in July-August 2023, re-evaluating around 400 institutions. Following fresh data verification and inspections, nearly 200 institutions saw their grades lowered. The council primarily focused on cases where:
- The grade jumped more than two notches over the previous cycle.
- A first-time assessment resulted in an A++ or A+.
- There was a 30% or greater discrepancy between the Data Verification and Validation (DVV) agency’s score and the peer team’s score.
Accreditation and Grading System
NAAC awards grades ranging from A++ to C, based on a four-point scale. Accreditation is not mandatory and is renewed every five years. Institutions submit a self-study report, which is verified by third-party DVV agencies before a peer team visit (PTV) assesses the institution. 70% weightage is given to the DVV report, while the PTV report contributes 30%.
Calls for Stricter Action
While peer team members face a one-year debarment if an institution’s grade drops by two notches, critics argue that this is insufficient. Some academics suggest lifetime bans or police investigations against corrupt DVV agencies and peer team members.
As concerns grow over the credibility of NAAC’s accreditation, calls for stricter oversight and transparency continue to mount.
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