Overhauling Higher Ed: Radhakrishnan Committee Proposes Unified Accreditation and Global Excellence Standards

A high-level brainstorming session held on March 22, 2023, provided valuable inputs and established a mission-mode transition plan in two stages.

The Dr. Radhakrishnan Committee, tasked with recommending reforms in the accreditation and ranking systems for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), has unveiled a comprehensive set of transformative measures. The recommendations aim to align the accreditation processes with the vision outlined in the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) and pave the way for the establishment of a National Accreditation Council (NAC) under the proposed Higher Education Commission of India (HECI).

Unified Accreditation System: The committee proposes a shift from the existing 8-point grading system of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) to a Binary Accreditation System. Institutions will be categorized as 'Accredited,' 'Awaiting Accreditation,' or 'Not Accredited.'

Elevating Institutions to Excellence: Accredited institutions are encouraged to progress from 'Level 1' to 'Level 4' Institutions of National Excellence and eventually attain 'Level-5' status as Institutions of Global Excellence for Multi-Disciplinary Research and Education.

Inclusive Assessment: The proposed assessment system includes all HEIs and every program, taking into account their statutory dispensations, such as those applicable to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

Choice-based Ranking System: A Choice-based Ranking System will be introduced, catering to diverse stakeholders such as students, funding agencies, and industries.

Mentoring Mechanism: Accredited institutions will be encouraged to mentor those 'far below the standards for accreditation,' fostering collaboration and improvement within the academic community.

Streamlined Accreditation Process: The accreditation process, especially for the first cycle, will be simplified, and the periodicity for re-accreditation will be reduced to six years. Annual re-approvals for technical educational programs, as mandated by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), may be eliminated if the program scope remains unchanged.

Composite Assessment System: Programmatic and institutional accreditation will be amalgamated into a Composite Assessment System, recognizing their inter-dependency.

Categorization of HEIs: Considering the heterogeneity of HEIs, institutions will be categorized based on their orientation, vision, heritage, and legacy. This move aims to tailor accreditation requirements to specific categories, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach.

Parametrizing Accreditation: The accreditation framework will shift from an input-centric model to one that parametrizes inputs, processes, outcomes, and impact across different attributes of HEIs. A framework is in progress to link parameters to essential variables and assign weightages for varied purposes.

Unified Elicitation Tool: A 'Unified Elicitation Tool' will be developed to collect comprehensive data from HEIs for approval, accreditation, and ranking purposes. This tool will incorporate modern technology-driven systems to minimize subjectivity and enhance transparency.

Trust and Public Disclosure: Institutions will be trusted, with significant penalties for wrongdoings. Public disclosure of relevant data by HEIs is mandated to enhance overall process credibility.

Outreach and Handholding: A robust outreach mechanism, coupled with effective methods of handholding, will be initiated to facilitate the majority of institutions in joining the accreditation and ranking process, aligning with the goals of NEP 2020.

Mission-mode Transition

A high-level brainstorming session held on March 22, 2023, provided valuable inputs and established a mission-mode transition plan in two stages. These recommendations reflect a strategic intent to create a simplified, trust-based, credible, objective, and rationalized system for approval, accreditation, and ranking of HEIs, in line with the visionary goals of NEP 2020. The Dr. Radhakrishnan Committee envisions these reforms as a cornerstone for the future of higher education in India.