The National Board of Accreditation (NBA), India was initially established by the AICTE (All India Council of Technical Education) under section 10(u) of AICTE Act, in the year 1994, in order to assess the qualitative competence of the programs offered by educational institution from diploma level to post-graduate level in engineering and technology, management, pharmacy, architecture and related disciplines, which are approved by AICTE.
NBA came into existence as an independent autonomous body with effect from 7th January 2010 with the objectives of assurance of quality and relevance to technical education, especially of the programs in professional and technical disciplines, i.e., Engineering and Technology, Management, Architecture, Pharmacy and Hotel Management and Catering Technology, through the mechanism of accreditation of programs offered by technical institutions. The Memorandum of Association and Rules of NBA were amended in April 2013, to make it completely independent of AICTE, administratively as well as financially. The NBA conducts evaluation of programs of technical institutes on the basis of laid down norms. This may include, but not limited to institutional missions and objectives, organization and governance, infrastructure facilities, quality of teaching and learning, curriculum design and review, support services (library, laboratory, instrumentation, computer facilities, etc.) and any other aspect as decided by the General Council and / or Executive Committee of NBA, which will help the graduates produced by the institutions as per industry requirements.
Over the period of its existence, the NBA has introduced a new processes, parameters and criteria for accreditation that are in line with the best international practices and oriented to assess the outcomes of the programme.
Accreditation Process: NBA evaluates and accredits technical programs based on predefined criteria and guidelines. The accreditation process involves a thorough assessment of the quality and relevance of educational programs offered by technical institutions.
Purpose of Accreditation: Accreditation by NBA is intended to ensure and enhance the quality of technical education in India. It provides a benchmark for the quality of programs and helps students, parents, and employers make informed decisions about choosing educational institutions and programs.
Criteria for Accreditation: NBA assesses technical programs based on various criteria, including curriculum design, faculty quality, infrastructure, student performance, governance, and continuous improvement mechanisms. Institutions that meet the established standards receive accreditation.
International Recognition: NBA-accredited programs are often recognized internationally, which can be beneficial for students and institutions seeking global recognition and collaboration.
Continuous Monitoring: Institutions are expected to maintain and improve their standards continuously. NBA may conduct periodic reviews to ensure that accredited programs continue to meet the established quality benchmarks.
Information on Accredited Programs: The NBA maintains a public list of accredited programs and institutions, allowing stakeholders to verify the accreditation status of a particular program or institution.
The National Board of Accreditation (NBA) plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and standards of technical education in India. Here are some benefits associated with NBA accreditation:
Quality Assurance: NBA accreditation serves as a mechanism to ensure and enhance the quality of technical education programs. It establishes standards that institutions and programs must meet, contributing to the overall improvement of education quality.
Global Recognition: NBA accreditation provides international recognition to the accredited programs. This is beneficial for students and institutions seeking collaborations and partnerships with foreign universities or employers.
Employability: Graduates from NBA-accredited programs are often preferred by employers because the accreditation signifies that the program meets or exceeds industry standards. It enhances the employability of graduates in the competitive job market.
Student Confidence: NBA accreditation gives students and their parents confidence in the quality of education provided by the accredited institution. It helps them make informed decisions about choosing technical programs and institutions.
Continuous Improvement: Institutions that undergo the accreditation process are encouraged to engage in continuous improvement. Regular reviews and assessments by NBA motivate institutions to enhance their infrastructure, teaching methodologies, and overall educational experience.
Benchmarking: NBA provides a benchmark for institutions to measure themselves against established standards. This benchmarking helps institutions identify areas for improvement and implement best practices in technical education.
Funding and Grants: Some government funding and grants may be linked to NBA accreditation. Accredited institutions may have access to additional resources and support from government agencies.
Quality Networking: Institutions with NBA-accredited programs often become part of a network of high-quality technical education providers. This can lead to opportunities for collaboration, research, and knowledge exchange among institutions.
Transparent Information: NBA maintains a public list of accredited programs and institutions, making information about the accreditation status easily accessible to the public. This transparency allows stakeholders to verify the quality of education offered by a particular institution or program.
Industry Alignment: NBA accreditation ensures that technical programs are aligned with industry requirements. This helps bridge the gap between academic curriculum and industry expectations, producing graduates who are better prepared for the workforce.
It's important to note that while NBA accreditation offers numerous benefits, institutions must also be committed to maintaining and improving their standards over time to derive the maximum advantages from the accreditation process.
| S. no. | Program | Level (Diploma/UG/PG) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Engineering & Technology | Diploma (of 3 Years duration), UG, PG |
| 2 | Management | PG |
| 3 | Pharmacy | Diploma, UG, PG |
| 4 | Architecture, Applied Arts and Crafts | UG, PG |
| 5 | Computer Applications | PG |
| 6 | Hotel Management and Catering Technology | UG |
Presently, NBA operates on a two-Tier system for Undergraduate Engineering Programs only. For all other programs, the operation is uniform for all institutions. The classification in respect of Undergraduate Engineering Programs has been retained since Washington Accord (WA) recognizes the substantial equivalency of UG Engineering qualifications accorded by different member countries. Only the Undergraduate Engineering Programs offered by Tier-I institutions which are accredited by NBA fall under the ambit of WA.
The categories of institutions that qualify for Tier I accreditation for Undergraduate Engineering/Technology Programs through NBA are given below:
These institutions have freedom to design, develop and update curricula and also have complete academic autonomy.
The Tier-II accreditation for Undergraduate Engineering/Technology Programs is applicable to non-autonomous institutions affiliated to a university. These institutions depend on university for any change in curriculum, its implementation and to examine the enrolled students for award of degree. The categories of institutions that qualify for Tier II accreditation for Undergraduate Engineering/Technology Programs through NBA are given below:
Non-autonomous technical institutions affiliated to a University which may include:
Programs of Tier-I and Tier-II institutions are assessed with the similar set of criteria albeit with the variation of weightages in some criteria.