Only 67 out of 151 colleges in J&K are NAAC accredited: Govt

Srinagar, Mar 6: The Economic Survey 2024-25 tabled by the J&K government in the Legislative Assembly has revealed that only 67 out of 151 Government Degree Colleges were accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). As per the Survey, J&K Government administers 151 Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) including six engineering colleges.

"The NEP 2020 focused on institutional restructuring and accreditation of institutions. Currently, 67 colleges in the UT are accredited by NAAC, with 21 more undergoing the accreditation process," it reads, adding that 51 GDCs were established in 2019.

The Survey has revealed that J&K embarked on a transformative journey guided by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of higher education across the region. "Curriculum restructuring is at the core of NEP and universities are introducing programs under the Four Year Undergraduate Model, offering a multi-disciplinary and flexible curriculum," it reads. It reads that HED has prioritised Skill Development and Digital learning in line with NEP-2020 which emphasis on practical and application oriented education.

"Digital platforms like SWAYAM have expanded access to quality education resources. Research activities have been bolstered through the establishment of 30 research hubs, facilitating multidisciplinary research across institutions," it reads. It reads that Samarth ‘ERP e-Gov Suite’ has been fully implemented in 2023-24 as part of NEP 2020 and all Government Colleges are registered on this portal. "Admissions during academic session 2023-24 were made through this portal. During the current financial year 2024-25, 100 percent admission process through CUET has been carried out in 74 colleges across J&K including 35 colleges of Jammu division and 39 colleges of Kashmir division," it reads.

The survey reads that other left out colleges will also carry out admissions through e-Samarth portal based on 10+2 merit. "Three -tier feedback mechanism has been introduced as part of NEP 2020.

It includes Student Feedback for Institute, Student Feedback for Teachers, Faculty Feedback for Institute, Faculty Evaluation and feedback," the Survey reads. The Survey also read that the government was addressing challenges of infrastructure gaps, market-driven and practical based courses through strategic policy interventions and investments which aim to create a robust higher education ecosystem to meet the aspirations of students and contribute to regional development and national prosperity.