NAAC removes 900 assessors amid allegations of corruption in grading

NEW DELHI: The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has removed approximately 900 assessors responsible for corruption in the grading process for higher education institutions, The Indian Express reported. The removal of assessors follows an internal review and recent arrests related to alleged bribery in grading process.

As per TOI, the action came after a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe revealed that assessors visiting the Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, a deemed university in Andhra Pradesh, allegedly demanded a bribe in exchange for awarding the highest grade.

According to The Indian Express, the removals intensified after the CBI arrested 10 individuals in Andhra Pradesh on charges of bribery linked to securing high NAAC grades. Among those arrested were six members of a NAAC inspection committee and office-bearers from the Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation.

Reason for removal of assessors

NAAC assessors are academics that form ‘peer teams’ to evaluate institutions and submit reports that determine accreditation grades. Sources cited by The Indian Express said that assessors were removed for various reasons including failure to remain active, refusal to accept assessment assignments, or inadequate report preparation.

Some assessors reportedly awarded high scores without providing adequate justification, while others worked with incomplete data, the source told IE. NAAC director Ganesan Kannabiran also told TOI that assessors were dropped if there wasn't enough data on them and their assessments were "found...lacking" and also based on feedback and the quality of their reports.

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NAAC: Re-evaluation of grades

According to TOI, NAAC's review was not limited to individual assessors but also included assessment reports from institutions that sought re-evaluation of their grades. "In some instances, we compared both reports and found that certain assessors' performance did not align with NAAC's standards. These assessors were also removed from the list," Kannabiran told TOI.

A review of NAAC's grading system began in April-May 2023 following concerns about an 'unusual' high number of A++ grades. As per IE, the investigation focused on institutions that experienced a high grade jump between accreditation cycles, as well as those receiving an A++ rating in their first evaluation. Out of the 400 cases that were reviewed, nearly half saw a downgrade after reassessment.

Shift to virtual and hybrid evaluation method

NAAC plans to modify its assessment method by moving towards virtual evaluations for colleges and a hybrid system for universities starting in March, according to The Indian Express.