Title: Transforming Indian Higher Education: A New Era of Accreditation by Dr. Kiran Kakade

Introduction

The Indian higher education landscape is undergoing a significant transformation aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. With a target of achieving a 50% Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education by 2037, the emphasis is on enhancing education quality. This evolution is dependent on various factors, including teaching-learning processes, research and innovation, motivated faculty, employability skills, equity, societal integration, academic ambiance, and sustainability commitments.

A pivotal aspect of this transformation is the reform in the accreditation and ranking process. In a major development, the Ministry of Education established a committee led by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan to propose transformative reforms for strengthening the assessment and accreditation of higher education institutions in India.

The committee’s preliminary report, made available for public consultation, culminated in a final report presented to the Minister of Education on January 16, 2024. The proposed reforms aim to streamline the approval, assessment, accreditation, and ranking processes, aligning them with the vision of NEP 2020.

Key recommendations include the introduction of Binary Accreditation, a simplified “accredited or not accredited” system to encourage widespread participation in the accreditation process. Additionally, a Maturity-Based Graded Accreditation system (Level 1 to 5) aims to motivate institutions to continuously improve, evolving into centers of national and global excellence.

Crucially, the accreditation metrics focus on Processes, Outcomes, and Impact across various attributes, moving away from input-centric evaluations. Recognizing the diversity of higher education institutions, the new process categorizes them based on their orientation and heritage, ensuring a tailored approach rather than a one-size-fits-all model.

Special attention is directed towards rural and remote institutions through mentoring and handholding initiatives. The proposal includes the creation of a ‘One Nation One Data Platform’ for integrity and transparency in handling institutional data. This platform will capture a comprehensive dataset from institutions, facilitating approval, accreditation, and ranking purposes.

To enhance the validity and reliability of data, a ‘Stakeholder Validation’ mechanism is introduced, integrating stakeholders into the accreditation and ranking process. The system adopts a trust and data-driven approach, minimizing on-site visits for verification while imposing heavy penalties for incorrect submissions.

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) Executive Committee has endorsed the reforms, outlining a phased implementation. Binary accreditation will be implemented in the next four months, with maturity-based graded levels scheduled for December 2024. Institutions have the flexibility to choose between the existing process and the new methodology during this transition.

By comprehensively implementing these reforms before the end of 2024, the Indian higher education system aims to undergo a remarkable transformation, elevating the quality and credibility of institutions and contributing to India’s socio-economic leadership in line with the visionary Amrit Kaal mission.