NAAC quality assurance role – UGC NET Question

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council is specifically mandated to assess and accredit higher education institutions in India. Its accreditation process evaluates institutions on criteria such as curriculum, teaching-learning, research, infrastructure and governance. The grades awarded by NAAC signal quality levels and guide institutions in planning improvements. Because the stem asks for the body concerned with assessment and accreditation for quality assurance, NAAC is the correct option.

Option A:
NAAC operates as an autonomous body established by the UGC to promote a quality culture in higher education. Through peer team visits, self-study reports and periodic reviews, it helps institutions identify strengths and areas for improvement. These functions align exactly with the role described in the question, confirming that this is the right answer.

Option B:
The All India Council for Technical Education regulates and plans the development of technical and management education. While it may link approval to certain quality norms, it is not the main accreditation agency for all higher education institutions. Therefore, Option B does not directly match the stem.

Option C:
The University Grants Commission is the apex funding and regulatory body for universities but it does not itself conduct institutional accreditation visits. Instead, it created NAAC for this specialised purpose. Hence, Option C is too broad and not as accurate as NAAC for this question.

Option D:
The National Council of Educational Research and Training primarily deals with school education, curriculum frameworks and teacher training at the school level. It is not responsible for accrediting higher education institutions, so Option D is not appropriate here.