Indian universities and colleges are being dragged into an unhealthy obsession with rankings and accreditation frameworks, particularly NAAC and NIRF. What began as a well-intentioned initiative has now become a bureaucratic nightmare, forcing institutions to game the system just to survive. The emphasis on metrics and documentation is overshadowing the real essence of education—nurturing talent, critical thinking, and creativity.
NAAC Accreditation: A Document-Driven Illusion
NAAC accreditation, which should have been a driver of institutional improvement, has devolved into a paperwork-heavy exercise with little real-world impact. Universities and colleges scramble to create glossy reports and evidence folders, staging impressive but superficial shows for NAAC peer visits.
Unfortunately, peer review teams often lack the training or expertise to see through these staged efforts, rewarding institutions with high grades despite glaring deficiencies on the ground.
Rather than focus on building genuine academic environments, institutions are caught in a loop of form over function. It's not about how well students learn or develop; it’s about how many well-documented activities can be stuffed into a report.
We have replaced real reform with the illusion of progress.
The Lobbying Game: Perception Metrics in NIRF
The NIRF ranking system introduces another problematic metric—perception scores, which reflect the opinions of industry and academic peers.
But in reality, perception scores are nothing more than a measure of lobbying success.
Universities with the best marketing and public relations teams score high, regardless of what happens inside classrooms. Institutions that play the networking game well see their rankings soar, while those focused on student well-being and educational outcomes struggle to climb the charts.
This obsession with perception and optics creates a distorted reality where universities prioritize marketing over meaningful education.
As a result, students are drawn into institutions that look good on paper but fail to provide enriching academic experiences.
A System Misaligned with NEP 2020’s Vision
I am an ardent supporter of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which is a visionary framework designed to transform the Indian education system. The policy promotes innovation, creativity, and critical thinking—the very foundations of modern education.
However, we missed a crucial opportunity to align NAAC and NIRF with the spirit of NEP 2020. This oversight is costing us dearly.
Without meaningful reform, NAAC and NIRF will continue to encourage institutions to chase vanity metrics rather than focus on creating value for students.
In the long run, this will lead to a self-destructive system, alienating students and driving them to pursue education abroad.
We risk losing our brightest minds to countries that offer holistic learning environments, leaving our institutions with empty rankings but no real substance.
My Personal Experience: Walking Away from a Deceptive System
As someone who served as an advisor to the board of a university, I witnessed firsthand the destructive impact of these flawed metrics. Initially, I believed I could help the institution grow through meaningful reforms.
But soon, I discovered that the institution was fabricating research numbers and inflating faculty credentials just to meet accreditation requirements.
When I confronted them, it was clear that the pursuit of rankings had taken precedence over integrity.
Rather than compromise my values, I stepped down as their advisor. I couldn’t stand by and be part of a system that prioritizes deception over education.
This experience reinforced my belief that without serious reform, rankings and accreditation frameworks will continue to derail our education system.
Burn the Metrics or Reform Them: Time for Real Change
The way forward is clear—either we burn these flawed metrics or reform them to align with NEP 2020's vision of meaningful education.
We need institutions that focus on outcomes, not optics.
Universities must shift their efforts from chasing ranks to fostering intellectual curiosity, supporting students emotionally, and building environments that empower future leaders.
It’s time to stop treating education like a numbers game.
Burn the obsession with NAAC and NIRF metrics. Build institutions that matter.
Because at the end of the day, rankings won't change the world—real education will.
For more information or any assistance, please feel free to contact me in the order of my preference:
WhatsApp: +91 8086 01 5111
Email: mail@deepeshdivakaran.com
Phone: +91 8086 01 5111
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