The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has granted ‘A’ grade to the HNB Garhwal Central University Srinagar. An 11-member team of the NAAC headed by former Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Central University of Karnataka Prof A M Pathan had visited the campuses of the University between March 14 and 17 and on Wednesday the body passed its verdict based on the report of the team.

Expressing happiness on the development, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University, Professor J l Kaul said that efforts should continue to take the university to further heights. The Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of the University Dr D S Negi told The Pioneer that there is an atmosphere of joy in the campuses of the University. He said that the students of the university would get benefit of the 'A' grade as industry and other employers would take note of the university. The fund flow from the University Grants Commission (UGC) is expected to increase as the apex body releases money to various projects on the basis of the NAAC ratings.  The University at present has 628 research scholars who would directly get the benefit of a good rating by NAAC.

It is worth mentioning here that the only Central University of the state was without any NAAC rating for last eight years. Prior to the recent visit the NAAC team had visited the university way back in the year 2003 and at that time B+ ranking was accorded to the University. A NAAC grade lasts for a period of five years once given and the institution concerned had to send an invitation to the body for its visit. 

The NAAC is an autonomous body set up by the UGC to assess and accredit institutions of higher education in the country.  The NAAC with its headquarters at Bangalore is mandated for periodic assessment of institutes of higher education so that an environment for teaching and research is created.