Tue Feb 18 20:10:39 UTC 2025: ## West Bengal Colleges Frustrated by NAAC’s Shift to Online Accreditation Inspections

**Kolkata, February 19, 2025** – Several West Bengal colleges expressed disappointment after the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) unexpectedly switched from physical to online inspections for accreditation. The decision, announced by NAAC via press release, follows allegations of bribery at an Andhra Pradesh institution.

Colleges, many of which had invested significant time and resources preparing for physical inspections, criticized the sudden change, particularly the lack of clarity on the online verification procedure. Debasish Pal, principal of Uluberia College, highlighted the absence of published guidelines for the online process, questioning its effectiveness.

The shift impacts colleges striving to meet accreditation standards before a planned overhaul of the rating system later this year. The current system primarily assesses pass percentages and additional courses, while the new system will include placement and student progression data. The urgency was heightened by the fact that until last year, only around 20% of West Bengal colleges held NAAC accreditation, a significant factor in securing government funding. The state government had actively encouraged accreditation, leading many colleges to undertake extensive preparations.

Rural colleges expressed additional concerns regarding poor internet connectivity and technical limitations hindering their participation in online assessments. An official from Gour Mohan Sachin Mondal College cited these challenges as obstacles to effectively presenting their institution online.

Principals also voiced frustration over the consequences of corruption in other institutions. Ayantika Ghosh, principal of Naba Ballygunge Mahavidyalaya, noted the significant effort expended in preparing for a physical inspection, only to be impacted by the change. Colleges that already have inspection dates scheduled will still undergo physical assessments.

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