NEW METRICS FOR THE BINARY NAAC ACCREDITATION

A. INTRODUCTION

Recently, the Binary accreditation under NAAC was announced. Under the leadership of
Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, former ISRO Chairman, a reform committee was established to
redefine the accreditation process. As an outcome of this brainstorming, a report
introducing the proposed new accreditation Process i.e., Binary Accreditation and
Maturity-Based Graded Accreditation was published.

Through this blog, we have attempted to delve into the proposed changes in the NAAC
Accreditation process.
 B. PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE NAAC ACCREDITATION PROCESS

The new proposed Accreditation process encompasses two components:

a. Binary Accreditation
b. Maturity-Based Graded Accreditation

A. Binary Accreditation: Institutions are classified as either accredited or not,

promoting participation and quality culture in accreditation. The first phase,
rolling out within the next four months, focuses on Binary Accreditation.
B. Maturity-Based Graded Accreditation: Institutions are graded on a scale from
Level 1 to Level 5, motivating continuous enhancement towards national and
global excellence in education and research. By December 2024, Maturity-Based
Graded Levels will be implemented.

New metrics have been introduced to redefine assessment criteria. Aligned with NEP
2020's vision, they prioritise simplicity, trust, and technology-driven approaches. This
transformation underscores India's commitment to excellence and global recognition in
education, positioning the sector for enhanced quality and competitiveness.
 C. EVALUATING EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE THROUGH 3 PILLARS:

The accreditation criteria are divided into three main categories which serve as pillars for
evaluating the quality and effectiveness of educational institutions.

Below are the new metrics of Binary NAAC:

1. Input: This category focuses on the resources and infrastructure available within an
institution, including curriculum design, faculty qualifications, facilities, and financial
resources. It assesses whether the institution has the necessary inputs to support
effective teaching and learning processes.

2.
 2.2 Pay and Allowances ✓ ✓ ✓

Faculty Resou
2.3 Faculty Diversity ✓ ✓ ✓

INPUT
2.4 Faculty Development ✓ ✓ ✓
2.5 Faculty Retention ✓ ✓ ✓
2.6 Faculty Student Ratio ✓ ✓ ✓
3.1 Physical Infrastructure ✓ ✓ ✓
Sr No. Metric No. Metric Descrietion University Autonomous University Affiliated university

Infrastructure
3.2 Learning Resources ✓ ✓ ✓
1.1 Outcome based Curriculum ✓ ✓ ✓
3.3 IT Infrastructure ✓ ✓ ✓
2. Process: The process category
1.2 Stakeholder evaluates the methods
Participation ✓
and
✓
procedures X✓employed by

Curriculum Design
3.4 Research Resources
1.3 Curriculum Flexibility ✓✓ ✓✓ X
3.5
1.4Divyangjan Friendly
Practical and Facilities
Industry Focus ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
an institution in delivering
3.6
1.5Innovation
education.
Resources
Practical and
This
Skill Orientation
includes ✓✓
curriculum
X✓
engagement, XX
teaching
1.6Capital
4.1 OnlineIncome
and Blended learning ✓✓ ✓✓ X✓
methodologies, student support services, and governance structures. It examines how
Resources and
1.7Revenue
Curriculum Revision
Management ✓✓ ✓✓ X✓
4.2 Income
Financial

1.8 Indian Knowledge System ✓ ✓ ✓

effectively the institution translates its resources
4.3 Capital Expenditure
2.1 Recruitment
✓
✓ into
✓
✓ meaningful X✓educational
Teaching Faculty Resources

4.4 Revenue Expenditure ✓✓

✓✓ ✓
✓
2.2 Pay and Allowances
experiences for students.
4.5 Sustainabilityand
2.3 Faculty Diversity Growth ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
INPUT

4.6
2.4Financial Controls and Risk Management
Faculty Development ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
5.1
2.5Pedagogical Approaches
Faculty Retention ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓
2.6Internships,
5.2 Faculty Student
FieldRatio
Projects etc ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
Learning and

3.1Assessment
5.3 Physical Infrastructure ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
Infrastructure

3.2 Learning Resources ✓ ✓ ✓

5.4 Academic Grievances Redressal ✓ ✓ X
3.3 IT Infrastructure ✓ ✓ ✓
5.5 Catering to Diversity ✓ ✓ ✓
3.4 Research Resources ✓ ✓ ✓
5.6 Learning Management System
3.5 Divyangjan Friendly Facilities ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
5.7
3.6Industry Academia
Innovation Resources Linkage ✓✓ ✓X X✓
4.1Technical/ Domain related Clubs activities
Capital Income ✓ ✓ ✓
PROCESS
Curricular
Resources and
Management

4.2and
6.1 Revenue Income
technical festivals ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓
Engagements
ExtendedFinancial

4.3Hackathon
6.2 Capital Expenditure
and Ideation Workshops ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
4.4 Revenue Expenditure ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
6.3 Cultural Clubs Activities andFestivals
4.5 Sustainabilityand Growth ✓ ✓ ✓
6.4 Mental Health Clubs and Activities ✓ ✓ ✓
4.6 Financial Controls and Risk Management ✓ ✓ ✓
6.5 Sports Clubs/ Teams and Activities ✓✓
✓✓ ✓
✓
5.1 Pedagogical Approaches
6.6 Community related activities
5.2 Internships, Field Projects etc including U B A ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
Learning and

7.1 Statutory
5.3 Assessment Compliance ✓✓ X✓ ✓X
Teaching

7.2
5.4Institutional Developmental
Academic Grievances Plan
Redressal ✓✓ ✓ X✓
Governance and
Administration

5.5e-Catering
7.3 to Diversity
Governance ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
5.6 Learning Management System ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
7.4 Student and Employee Welfare
5.7 Industry Academia Linkage ✓ ✓ ✓
7.5 Grievance handling Mechanism ✓ ✓ ✓
Technical/ Domain related Clubs activities
PROCESS
Extended Curricular

7.6 Quality Assurance System ✓ ✓ ✓

6.1 and technical festivals ✓ ✓ ✓
Engagements

7.7 Effective Leadership

6.2 Hackathon and Ideation Workshops ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
7.8 Inter University Collaboration
6.3 Cultural Clubs Activities andFestivals ✓✓ X✓ ✓X
8.1
6.4Placement/
Mental Health Employment
Clubs and Activities ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓
6.5Academic
8.2 Sports Clubs/ Teams and Activities
Progression ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
Outcomes

3. Outcome: The outcome6.6Self

8.3 Community category
Employment/ related assesses
activities the
including U
Entrepreneurship B A results
✓✓ and
✓✓ impact of the✓✓educational
7.1 Statutory Compliance ✓ X X✓
8.4 Competitive Exams ✓ ✓
process. It looks at student
7.2 learning
Institutional
Awards/ Prizes/ outcomes,
Developmental
Recognitions
Plan graduate
in Curricular
✓ employability,
✓ research
✓ output,
Studentand
Administration

7.3 e- Governance ✓ ✓ ✓
8.5 and extended curricular areas ✓ ✓ ✓
Governance

✓ ✓
and contributions8.6 7.4 Student and Employee Welfare
to Grievance
society.
7.5Enrolment Ratio This category focuses
handling Mechanism ✓✓
on✓✓
the tangible ✓ ✓
benefits
✓ and
8.7
7.6Graduation
Quality Assurance System ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓
OUTCOME OUTCOME

achievements resulting8.8
from theLearning
7.7Student/Alumni
Effective Leadership
institution's
Experience
educational
✓✓
endeavours.
✓ ✓✓
7.8External
9.1 Inter University
Research Collaboration
Grants ✓✓ ✓X X✓
Outcomes

8.1Research
Placement/ Employment ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
9.2 Publications
8.2 Academic Progression ✓ ✓ ✓
Research and

9.3 Research Quality ✓ ✓ X

Student Outcomes

8.3 Self Employment/Entrepreneurship ✓ ✓ ✓

9.4 PhDs Awarded ✓✓ X✓ ✓X
8.4 Competitive Exams
Innovations

9.5 Research
Awards/ Prizes/ Recognitions in Curricular ✓
Fellowships X X
9.6
8.5IPRs
andProduced
extended curricular areas ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓X
9.7
8.6Research
Enrolment Collaboration
Ratio ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓
8.7Number
9.8 Graduation
of Student Start ups ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
8.8Community
Student/Alumni Learning Experience ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓
10.1 Activities
Sustainability

9.1 External Research Grants ✓ ✓ ✓

InnovationsInitiatives)

10.2 Waste and Water Management ✓ ✓ ✓

Outcomes
Research(Green

9.2 Research Publications ✓ ✓ ✓

10.3 Progressing towards Net Zero ✓ ✓ ✓
and

9.3 Research Quality ✓ ✓ X

10.4
9.4Green
PhDs Audits
Awarded and Initiatives ✓✓ ✓X X✓
10.5
9.5Collaborations with Industry/ NGOs
Research Fellowships ✓✓ ✓X X✓
9.6 IPRs Produced ✓ ✓ X
9.7 Research Collaboration ✓ ✓ ✓
9.8 Number of Student Start ups ✓ ✓ ✓
10.1 Community Activities ✓ ✓ ✓
Sustainability

Initiatives)

10.2 Waste and Water Management ✓ ✓ ✓

(Green

10.3 Progressing towards Net Zero ✓ ✓ ✓

10.4 Green Audits and Initiatives ✓ ✓ ✓
10.5 Collaborations with Industry/ NGOs ✓ ✓ ✓
The reforms emphasise outcome-based assessment, evaluating the effectiveness of
teaching and learning, research output, and overall institutional impact. Transparency
is paramount, with a One Nation One Data Platform ensuring data integrity.
Additionally, stakeholder validation strengthens the process by incorporating the
perspectives of students, employers, and funding agencies.

D. SOME INSIGHTS FROM THE ABOVE METRICS TABLE:

1. The allocation of weightage will be 25% for Input and 75% for Process & Output.
2. Approximately 50-60% of new metrics will be introduced in the New NAAC. Higher
Education Institutions (HEIs) must adapt to these new metrics and processes to
achieve excellence across all criteria.
3. The new system is more complex and not necessarily easier. It is anticipated that
there will be no visits from experts, and the associated fees will be relatively lower.
4. The assessment system will not employ CGPA or grading; instead, metrics will be
classified as Good, Concern, or Weak.

NAAC's 2024 reforms are a giant leap forward for Indian higher education. By reimagining
the accreditation process, embracing technology, and fostering a culture of excellence,
India is well on its way to becoming a global leader in education. This transformation
aligns perfectly with the aspirations of NEP 2024, paving the way for a brighter future
where Indian institutions contribute significantly to the nation's socio-economic
progress.
 E. LAST OPPORTUNITY, GOLDEN PERIOD

Some institutions who have completed their IIQA and SSR may avail of this golden
window for NAAC assessment in the old format.

• The golden window for submission of the DQA(IIQA) is from late May to mid-June
2024, during which HEIs can choose to submit either within the existing framework or
through a binary option.
• After mid-June 2024, DQA(IIQA) submissions will be suspended for 2 to 3 months.
• By December 2024/January 2025, a Prequalifier-based Level 1 to Level 5
Accreditation system will be implemented.