National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is an autonomous body that accredits higher education institutions after assessing their performance based on framed parameters. The council was established by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 1994. 

NAAC accreditation is mandatory for higher education institutions in India to function. Specifically, state universities do not receive grants and financial assistance from UGC in case they are not NAAC accredited. 

Check details on NAAC Accreditation Parameters, NAAC accreditation process, grading systems, top NAAC grade colleges below. 

NAAC Accreditation Criteria for Universities

NAAC evaluates higher learning institutes based on a 3-step process. Universities affiliated to UGC are eligible for accreditation by NAAC. However, institutes are required to apply for NAAC accreditation. NAAC accredits based on following parameters and grades are awarded to the applying institution.

NAAC Accreditation Parameters

Following are the NAAC accreditation parameters based on which institutes are assessed:

  • Teaching-Learning and Evaluation
  • Curricular Aspect
  • Infrastructure and Learning Resources
  • Governance, Leadership and Management
  • Research, Innovation and Extension
  • Student Support and Progression
  • Institutional Values and Best Practice

NAAC Grading System

Higher education institutions in India are graded as A/B/C/D based on parameters set by NAAC. These grades correspond to performance levels of very good, good, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. 

For each parameter, an overall score is calculated based on the weightage that provides GPA. as there are 7 parameters, their 7 GPAs are incorporated to calculate the final outcome of NAAC assessment, that is CGPA. 

CGPA 

Grade

Status

Performance 

3.51 – 4.00

A++

Accredited

Very Good

3.26 – 3.50

A+

Accredited

Very Good

3.01 – 3.25

A

Accredited

Very Good

2.76 – 3.00

B++

Accredited

Good

2.51 – 2.75

B+

Accredited

Good

2.01 – 2.50

B

Accredited

Good

1.51 – 2.00

C

Accredited

Satisfactory

Less than 1.50

D

Not Accredited

Unsatisfactory 

NAAC Accreditation Cycles 

NAAC assessment for higher education institutions in India is carried out in a total of four cycles. The first assessment is called First Cycle which is followed by Cycle 2, Cycle 3, and Cycle 4. Check details below:

Category

First Cycle

Second Cycle

Third Cycle

Fourth Cycle

Accreditations

Universities

329

159

66

0

554

Colleges

7547

3321

739

11

11618

Total

7876

3480

805

11

12172 

Top NAAC A+ Accredited Universities in India 

Tabulated below are the top NAAC A+ Accredited Universities in India:

Top NAAC A+ Accredited Private Universities in India 

Chandigarh University

Chandigarh University (CU) is a Private University accredited with A+ Grade by NAAC, with a total student strength of 13,221 and 5,500 female students across all departments. 

The university offers specializations in undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD courses in 16 departments. Admission is granted on scores of CUCET conducted at the university-level. 

Read: Chandigarh University Admission 2023

SRM Deemed University

SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), formerly known as SRM University, has the highest NAAC accreditation grade of A++. SRMIST has over 50,000 students enrolled in various UG and PG courses offered by the university. 

Read: SRM University Admission 2023

It has 3200+ faculty members in Engineering, Medicine, Science, Humanities, Management, Law, Health Sciences, Dentistry, Hotel Management, Agricultural Sciences and Teacher Education disciplines. 

Manipal University Jaipur

Manipal University Jaipur is a private university in the state of Rajasthan. Started in 2011, it is the fifth university under Manipal Education Group. It has more than 8000 students enrolled in several UG and PG programs offered by the institute. 

Read: Manipal University Jaipur Admission 2023

ICFAI University, Dehradun

ICFAI University, Dehradun campus which was sponsored by Institute of Chartered Financial Analysis of India started in 2003. It is recognized by UGC, Distance Education Council (DEC) and Bar Council of India (BCI). 

ICFAI University offers Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses in Arts, Commerce, Business Administration, Engineering and Technology, Computer Science and Legal Studies.

Read: ICFAI University Admission 2023

Shiv Nadar University

Shiv Nadar University (SNU) that started in 2011 offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate programs along various streams. It has five schools: School of Engineering (SoE), School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Management and Entrepreneurship (SoME), School of Natural Sciences, and School of Extended Education and Professional Development.

Read: Shiv Nadar University Admission 2023

Amity University

Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, established in 1986 with affiliations from UGC, NAAC, NATA and others, it has 80,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate courses in multiple streams along with M.Phil and PhD courses at its Noida campus.

The university offers education through regular and distance learning modes in various disciplines ranging from Engineering, Law, Medical to Forensic Sciences and Animation.

Read: Amity University Noida Admissions 2023

Karunya University

Karunya University, Tamil Nadu. was established in 1986. The University is NAAC Accredited with ‘A++’ Grade and is ranked among the Top 100 Institutions in NIRF Ranking in the last 3 years.  The University has over 7500 students for learning and Research. The M.B.A and B.Com, Programs are accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK).

Read: Karunya University Admission 2023