India possesses one of the world’s largest and most diverse education systems. Through privatization, extensive expansion, enhanced autonomy, and the introduction of programs in emerging fields, higher education accessibility has significantly improved. However, this growth has raised concerns regarding the quality and relevance of higher education. To tackle these issues, the National Policy on Education (NPE) of 1986 and the Programme of Action (PoA) of 1992 outlined strategic plans and advocated for the establishment of an independent national accreditation agency. Consequently, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) emerged in 1994 as an autonomous body under the University Grants Commission (UGC), headquartered in Bengaluru. NAAC’s vision is to embed quality assurance within the operations of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

NAAC operates through its General Council (GC) and Executive Committee (EC), comprising educational administrators, policymakers, and senior academics representing various segments of the Indian higher education landscape. The UGC Chairperson serves as the President of NAAC’s GC, while an eminent academic nominated by the GC President chairs the EC. The Director, who also serves as the member-secretary of both the GC and EC, leads NAAC’s academic and administrative functions. Alongside its core staff, NAAC receives guidance from advisory and consultative committees formed periodically to support its activities and steer its policies.