Context:
National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) removed 900 peer assessors after identifying irregularities in their evaluation processes.
National Accreditation Council (NAAC):
- Established in – 1994 based on recommendations from the National Policy on Education (1986) and Programme of Action (1992).
- Status – Autonomous body funded by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
- Operates under the UGC Act, 1956
- Mandate – Making quality assurance an integral part of the functioning of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
- Headquarters – Bangalore.
- Composition – Has a General Council (GC) and Executive Committee (EC)
- Chairperson of the UGC is the President of the General Council of the NAAC.
- Assessment Process – Evaluates institutions based on predefined criteria, ensuring quality standards.
- Evaluation Parameters includes curricular aspects, teaching-learning processes, infrastructure, governance, and innovation.
- Accreditation Certification – Grants accreditation valid for 5 years, with grades ranging from A++ to D (where D signifies non-accreditation).
- Paramarsh – A UGC scheme to mentor National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) accreditation aspirant institutions for promoting quality assurance in higher education.
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
‘SWAYAM’, an initiative of the Government of India, aims at:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) promoting the Self Help Groups in rural areas
(b) providing financial and technical assistance to young start-up entrepreneurs
(c) promoting the education and health of adolescent girls
(d) providing affordable and quality education to the citizens for free
Answer: (d)