The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has removed 900 peer assessors, nearly 20% of its evaluation team, after a CBI investigation exposed corruption in the accreditation process. The probe revealed bribery and biased evaluations, leading NAAC to overhaul its selection process and assessment methods. To enhance transparency, the council has recruited over 1,000 new assessors and shifted towards digital evaluations to minimize human intervention and malpractice.
About NAAC and Its Accreditation Process
- Established: 1994 under the University Grants Commission (UGC).
- Purpose: Assesses and accredits higher education institutions (HEIs) based on curriculum quality, faculty, research, infrastructure, and governance.
- Grading System: Ranges from A++ (highest) to C; institutions scoring D are denied accreditation.
- Evaluation Process: Previously relied on physical inspections, but now moving towards online, data-driven assessments to prevent manipulation.
Irregularities in NAAC’s Assessment
- Bribery & Corruption: The CBI arrested 10 individuals, including NAAC assessors, for allegedly accepting bribes to inflate institutional grades.
- KL University Case: Investigators uncovered that officials from KL University (Andhra Pradesh) paid bribes to secure a favorable accreditation rating.
- Weak Oversight & Bias: Some assessors had conflicts of interest, including evaluating institutions they were affiliated with.
- Compromised IT System: Reports suggest vulnerabilities in NAAC’s digital infrastructure, allowing manipulation of scores.
Selection Criteria & Removal of NAAC Assessors
- Flaws in Previous Selection: Assessors were senior academics (professors, principals), but the vetting process was inadequate, allowing biased individuals to enter.
- Mass Removal: 900 assessors were dismissed due to ethical concerns and failure to meet new quality standards.
- New Reforms:
- Stricter eligibility criteria to ensure qualified and unbiased assessors.
- Mandatory conflict-of-interest declarations to prevent self-serving evaluations.
- Increased oversight with proposals for third-party audits.
- Transition to digital assessments to reduce human interference and bribery risks.
Impact & Future Outlook
The reforms aim to restore credibility in NAAC’s accreditation process, ensuring fair, data-driven, and transparent evaluations. By removing compromised assessors, strengthening oversight, and leveraging digital technology, NAAC seeks to eliminate corruption and uphold educational quality standards in India.
