Lucknow, August 9, 2025 – The Uttar Pradesh government is pushing hard to improve the quality of higher education in the state. Their big goal? To have at least 25% of the state’s colleges accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) by the end of the 2025–26 academic year. This ambitious plan is being driven by the state’s Higher Education Department and the Uttar Pradesh State-Level Quality Assurance Cell (UP-SLQAC).
According to a recent press release, nearly 1,000 colleges have already been shortlisted for NAAC evaluation. This follows the success of six state universities, including King George’s Medical University (KGMU), which recently earned an impressive A++ grade with a CGPA of 3.67. The NAAC team visited KGMU from July 31 to August 2, giving high scores across various criteria like teaching quality, infrastructure, and research.
Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay spoke about the plan, saying, “This is a big step toward making our colleges globally respected. We want better teachers, improved facilities, and a stronger academic environment for our students.” The state has introduced a new binary system to make the NAAC evaluation process simpler and more transparent. This system ensures colleges get timely approvals and grades, helping them meet the deadline.
The government is also working on a new policy to make NAAC evaluations mandatory for all eligible colleges and universities. This means institutions will have to complete the process within a set timeframe, ensuring accountability. The move is expected to boost the reputation of Uttar Pradesh’s colleges, making their degrees more valuable both in India and abroad.
NAAC, funded by the University Grants Commission (UGC), evaluates colleges based on strict standards, assigning grades from 1.5 to 4. An A++ grade, like the one KGMU received, signals top-notch education quality. On the other hand, colleges with a D grade are not recognized. This accreditation helps students choose better colleges by giving them clear information about teaching, facilities, and research opportunities.
The state’s efforts go beyond NAAC accreditation. Projects like Operation Kayakalp and Project Alankar have upgraded school facilities, with 96% of government schools now equipped with basic amenities. In higher education, new medical and technical colleges are being built, and plans for Knowledge Cities in districts like Kanpur and Gorakhpur are in the works.
As Uttar Pradesh pushes for quality education, students and parents are hopeful. With 1,000 colleges in line for NAAC evaluation, the state is on track to transform its education system by 2026.
