Eight government universities in Odisha lack NAAC accreditation; why it’s so important

Eight of Odisha’s seventeen public universities lack accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), risking their eligibility for central and state funds as the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 rollout nears. 

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj disclosed this gap in the Assembly, highlighting concerns over institutional preparedness and resource access.

NEP Ties and Accreditation Urgency

NAAC accreditation is mandatory for universities to secure financial support and academic privileges under the NEP framework. With the policy emphasizing quality upgrades, unaccredited institutions face exclusion from grants, research opportunities, and infrastructure development.

The state’s higher education department warned that NAAC scores will directly impact universities’ ability to meet NEP benchmarks, affecting student outcomes and institutional credibility.

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Struggling Universities Identified

The unaccredited list includes Shree Jagannath Sanskrit University, established in 1981, which operates with only 20 faculty members against 45 sanctioned posts and where chronic staff shortages have delayed exams and overburdened existing staff with administrative duties.

Other affected institutions like Maa Manikeswari, Rajendra, Vikram Dev, Dharanidhar, MS Law, Odia, and two newer universities, were upgraded to university status in the past five to seven years but lack basic accreditation.

Odia University, which launched two years ago, and recently established institutions like Maa Manikeswari face similar challenges, including inadequate teaching staff and operational bottlenecks.

In contrast, Utkal, Berhampur, Ravenshaw, and Sambalpur universities renewed their NAAC grades recently, while Rama Devi and Odisha State Open University secured first-time accreditation in 2023.

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State’s Response and Systemic Hurdles

The minister noted that 62% of government colleges and 67% of aided colleges also lack NAAC certification, compounding systemic issues. Staff vacancies, poor infrastructure, and administrative delays plague newer universities, hindering their accreditation bids.

The Higher Education Department is reportedly in plans to prioritise faculty recruitment and streamline processes to address these gaps.