Centre to overhaul higher education accreditation: Binary system to replace grading model
National Education Policy
(
NEP
) 2020, Centre is set to announce a major reform in the accreditation system for
higher education institutions
by shifting to a binary model - 'accredited' or 'not accredited' - replacing the existing multi-tiered grading system. This means institutions will no longer be ranked against each other but assessed against uniform minimum standards.
On the anvil is also the launch of a new 'Bharatiya Bhasha' digital tool for direct translations between Indian languages, bypassing English as a mediator. In addition, govt will operationalise a
Centre of Excellence in AI in education
, as announced in the 2025 Union Budget.
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These announcements are expected to be made on Tuesday at a national event commemorating the fifth anniversary of NEP-2020, in the presence of senior ministers, educationists and state representatives at the Bharat Mandapam.
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The new accreditation model aims at simplifying the process and encourage wider participation among higher education institutions (HEIs). Unlike the earlier framework, which graded institutions (A++, A, B, etc.), the new binary system will require institutions to meet basic benchmarks to qualify as 'accredited'. A senior education ministry official said, "The change was designed to address the reluctance of many HEIs to apply for accreditation due to the effort involved and uncertainty about securing a favourable grade."
The shift comes in the wake of concerns over credibility and participation in the current accreditation regime, particularly following recent controversies around the functioning of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (Naac). Inconsistent grading patterns and allegations of opacity had drawn criticism from academics and policymakers, prompting a rethink of the process.
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Elaborating on the new approach, the official said, "Under the new model, all institutions that meet benchmark standards will be treated equally in the first phase. Grading from 1 to 5 will follow in the second stage, expected to begin in the next five to six months. Institutions will climb the grading ladder sequentially - starting from Grade 1 - based on verified performance data."
The data validation will rely on a triangulation method, using multiple sources and tools to ensure accuracy, and will exclude Naac's direct involvement. Instead, only govt agencies and Institutions of National Importance will be engaged for verification, and there will be no physical inspections.
The 'Bharatiya Bhasha' digital tool will allow seamless translations between Indian languages without routing through English - for instance, enabling direct translation from Assamese to Tamil. In higher education, the Centre of Excellence in AI in education is set to be formally launched to support research and integration of AI tools in teaching and learning.
For school education, announcements are expected on targeted infrastructure improvement and expansion of access, including new buildings for Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, with corresponding funding support.
(With TOI inputs)
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