NAAC Ranking: Meaning, Eligibility Criteria, Top Colleges & More

If you are planning to pursue higher education in India, it is important to check whether your preferred institution is accredited by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). NAAC is a government-authorised body that evaluates colleges and universities on parameters such as teaching-learning quality, research output, infrastructure, governance, and overall academic outcomes. Based on this evaluation, institutions receive a NAAC ranking and grades ranging from C to NAAC A++, with NAAC A++ representing the highest standard of excellence.

At present, India has 50+ NAAC A++ accredited institutions, including several NAAC A++ universities in India that are widely recognised for academic excellence and innovation. Prestigious names such as IIT Madras, Miranda House, and St. Xavier’s College frequently feature among the top 10 NAAC A++ universities in India list due to their strong faculty base, research ecosystem, and world-class facilities. Choosing a college or an NAAC A++ university in India ensures access to quality education, experienced educators, advanced research opportunities, and a learning environment that supports holistic growth and innovation.

Also Read: Top Delhi University Colleges 2025

NAAC Ranking System

The NAAC grading system continues to evolve with India’s education reforms, ensuring fair, transparent, and updated evaluation standards that strengthen institutional quality and align with global accreditation benchmarks.

Higher education institutions in India are categorised into four groups, such as "A", "B", "C", and "D", based on each important factor or criterion. College performance is indicated by the NAAC ranking, which ranges from very good to good to satisfactory to unsatisfactory. Each criterion is assigned a specific weight, and scores across key parameters are used to calculate the Grade Point Average (GPA) for that criterion. The GPAs obtained across all seven NAAC assessment criteria are then combined, with appropriate weightage, to arrive at the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). This final CGPA determines the institution’s NAAC grade and represents the overall assessment outcome of the accreditation process.
Also Read: List of NAAC 'A' Grade Colleges
Meanwhile, you can look at the list of NAAC A++ colleges in India for 2025 below.

Top 10 NAAC A++ University in India Ranking 2025

Given below is the top 10 NAAC ranking list for the A++ grade in 2025:

What is the Full Form of NAAC?

As previously mentioned, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council is the full name of the NAAC. It evaluates universities to see if they meet quality standards for learning outcomes and procedures. To rank the college among India's NAAC A++ universities, it also takes into account the faculty, research, facilities, instructional materials, amenities for students, syllabus coverage, organisation, administration, learning and instruction procedures, and more.

Why is the NAAC Ranking Required?

Two crucial components of Indian higher education institutions are the NAAC A++ accreditation and the NAAC 2025 college grading list. All Indian higher education establishments, including colleges and universities, are eligible to receive UGC funding only if they have NAAC accreditation. To ascertain the "Quality Status," the Council examines and certifies accredited colleges and universities, including higher education institutes (HEI). Considering they provide top-notch education, NAAC A++ universities in India are the most sought-after establishments, along with those having "A+" and "A" grades. Following the completion of the first or second batch of programs, all UGC-recognised institutions are required to apply for NBA, NAAC, or any other recognition.

Benefits of NAAC Ranking for Students

• NAAC rankings help students assess teaching quality, research, infrastructure, and academic standards.
• The NAAC A++ college list in India highlights institutions with top academic performance.
• NAAC accreditation reflects the value and credibility of degrees.
• Studying at a NAAC A++ institution ensures better learning and facilities.
• Strong Class 12 results improve chances of admission to NAAC A++ colleges.

Benefits of NAAC Ranking for Institutions

The following represent a few of the main advantages of both the NAAC rating list and NAAC accreditation:

• Through an informed assessment procedure, accreditation and rating assist higher education institutions in understanding their potential, shortcomings, and strengths.
• It pinpoints the internal planning and resource distribution zones.
• Financing agencies will be able to make financing decisions for higher education institutions using the objective data that accreditation will provide.
• The NAAC ranking will assist educational institutions in implementing cutting-edge or contemporary teaching strategies.
• All things considered, one of the main accrediting bodies in India is the NAAC ranking list, which is required for all institutions of higher education.

NAAC Accreditation Cycles

NAAC accreditation works in cycles to ensure continuous quality improvement in higher education. Cycle 1 is the first accreditation, and every five years, institutions undergo Cycle 2, 3, or 4 to renew or improve their NAAC grade. Universities and colleges can also apply for re-assessment between 1-3 years to upgrade their grade. For higher cycles, institutions must maintain an active IQAC, submit AQARs annually, and apply within the final six months of validity.

NAAC Eligibility Criteria for Academic Institutions Accreditation

The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) must meet specific conditions to be eligible for the NAAC's Assessment and Accreditation (A&A) procedure. These institutions need to have been in business for a minimum of six years or have a track record of enrolling, teaching, and graduating a minimum of two batches of students. HEIs must also fulfil additional requirements or fit into the appropriate categories discussed in the following section to be considered for the NAAC evaluation and authorisation process.

Central/ State/ Private/ Deemed-to-be Universities & Institutions of National Importance

• MHRD/UGC clearance is required for universities and deemed-to-be universities, as well as their off-campus locations, to be eligible for NAAC accreditation. Without authorisation, off-campus schools cannot be considered for NAAC Accreditation and Assessment (A&A).

• Regular pupils must consistently participate in full-time academic/ research and instructional initiatives conducted on campus to be considered for participation in the NAAC ranking list. As universities or institutions of national importance, all legally certified NAAC A++ colleges in India would be considered for inclusion in the A&A procedure.

• It is important to keep in mind that NAAC standards place a strong emphasis on on-shore educational environments and therefore NAAC A++ universities in India would not certify college campuses that are located abroad.

Autonomous/ Constituent/ Affiliated Colleges Recognised by UGC

• To be considered for the NAAC ranking list or recognition, educational organisations must be affiliated with an institution of learning that has been recognised by the UGC for affiliation purposes. Private and deemed-to-be institutions' constituent facilities are not bound by A&A procedures because they are considered important aspects. In these situations, a joint evaluation of the institution itself and these component colleges is required.

• Colleges and other non-university-related companies must offer academic programs approved by Statutory Professional Regulatory Councils. Additionally, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) or other relevant governmental groups should recognise them as being on par with university-level instruction.

Accredited HEIs Applying for Reassessment or Subsequent Cycles (Cycle 2, Cycle 3, Cycle 4) of Accreditation

• If institutions meet supplementary conditions, they may qualify to be placed in the NAAC ranking list and be qualified for reconsideration and an upgrade in their accredited status for NAAC A++ institutions in India after at least 12 months but before three years of NAAC recognition.

• A higher education institute can present an Institutional Information for Quality Assessment (IIQA) in the last six months of the accrediting cycle (Cycle 2, Cycle 3, Cycle 4) if it meets the NAAC parameters.

Note: The NAAC does not accredit HEIs' remote learning departments or overseas campuses. Institutes must submit data to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) portal to apply for evaluation and certification. Furthermore, the AISHE code, also referred to as the reference number, is necessary for registration.

Goal and Vision for NAAC Ranking List

The main goal or vision of NAAC is to enhance performance through quality assessment, promotion, and various programs, which is crucial in higher education. To achieve this vision, NAAC has broken down its goal into several key roles based on which it ranks a college/institution as NAAC A++ university in India:

• Conducting regular evaluations and accrediting Higher Education institutions.

• Developing innovative academic programs and initiatives to enhance educational quality.

• Promoting self-assessment, transparency, creativity, and autonomy in higher education.

• Conducting research studies, providing consulting services, and offering training programs to improve educational quality.

• Collaborating with other stakeholders in higher education to establish evaluation criteria and provide encouragement.

NAAC Units of Assessment

The NAAC ranking tool was created to evaluate and grade higher education institutions to produce the most impartial results. The emphasis varies depending on the unit of accreditation, such as Affiliated / Constituent Colleges / Autonomous Colleges / Universities / Health Science, etc., even though the technique and fundamental structure of the institution are similar. The following table highlights institutional/ departmental accreditation to NAAC A++ universities in India:

NAAC Key Indicators & Weightage

NAAC has established seven criteria to form the foundation of its evaluation processes. The Higher Educational Institutions are divided into three main types: University, Autonomous College, and Affiliated/Constituent College. NAAC has assigned varying weights to these criteria across different key aspects, taking into account the operational and organisational emphasis of each type of HEI. The criterion-wise differential weights for the three types of HEIs are:

Key Indicators: Each criterion includes specific key indicators to assess performance. These Key Indicators referred to as KIs, are then broken down into Metrics, which are tools designed to gather responses from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

NAAC Accreditation Application Procedure

The authorities typically design the NAAC Assessment and Accreditation procedure formally. The steps to apply for NAAC ranking or accreditation are as follows.

• Step 1: After uploading the Self-study Report (SSR) to the institution's website, Higher Education Colleges, Institutions, or Universities should submit their Letter of Intent (LOI) online.

• Step 2: The processing of a letter of intent takes almost fifteen days. Within ten days of the LOI submission, the institution must pay the registration fee only for the on-demand draft to reach NAAC.

• Step 3: The college has one week from the date it accepts the LOI to submit its online Institutional Eligibility for Quality Assessment (IEQA) report.

• Step 4: The college has two weeks to turn in the Self-Study Report (SSR) following acceptance of the LOI and IEQA.

• Step 5: The college will be visited by the NAAC team within three weeks of the SSR report being turned in. The NAAC will select the date of the visit.

• Step 6: The visit is usually finished in a month.

NAAC Accreditation Re-Assessment

If an educational institution is unhappy with its accrediting status, it can request a reevaluation within a year, but not after the three-year time has passed. The same application procedure that applies to evaluation and accreditation also applies to reassessment. The accreditation and assessment procedure is referred to as a cycle. For instance, the first cycle would be the evaluation of the university; the next five years would be Cycles 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Higher education institutions with NAAC accreditation that wish to improve their accreditation status can request a reevaluation to receive better rankings and grades to be among the NAAC A++ colleges in India. Nevertheless, the institutions may submit a reaccreditation application as soon as possible — at most, a year later.

Top NAAC A++ University in India in India

Here is the list of some of the top NAAC 'A++', 'A+', 'A' and 'B' grade Universities in India. For an exhaustive list of NAAC A++ university in India, students must check the official website of NAAC.

List of NAAC A++ Colleges in India	Location	NAAC Grade
SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRM Deemed University)	Tamil Nadu	A++
Gauhati University	Assam	A
National Law School of India University	Bangalore, Karnataka	A
JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research	Karnataka	A+
Manonmaniam Sundarnar University	Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu	A
Dravidian University	Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh	B
Assam Don Bosco University	Assam	A

Also Read: What is a Deemed University?

Best NAAC A++ University in India with CGPA

Here is a list of some other best NAAC A++ colleges in India along with their latest CGPA:

Top 10 NAAC A+ Accredited Colleges

Top 10 NAAC A Accredited Colleges

Top-performing colleges are those that hold A accreditation, signifying exceptional quality and achievement. These institutions have a CGPA ranging from 3.01 to 3.25. Below, you will find a list of colleges with this prestigious NAAC A accreditation:

Top 10 NAAC B++ Accredited Colleges

NAAC B++ accredited colleges are those that perform well with moderate grades. These colleges typically have a CGPA ranging from 2.76 to 3.00. Here's a list of colleges with NAAC B++ accreditation:

Top 10 NAAC B+ Accredited Colleges

NAAC B+ accredited colleges are considered to be decent performers with average grades. These colleges typically maintain a CGPA ranging from 2.51 to 2.75. Below is a list of colleges holding B+ accreditation:

This article provides a clear understanding of NAAC A++ universities in India, the NAAC full form, accreditation process, and the NAAC ranking and grading system. These factors play a crucial role in evaluating an institution’s academic quality and overall credibility. Although India has many well-established higher education institutions, colleges featured in the NAAC ranking list hold a distinct position due to their consistent performance and UGC recognition. Therefore, students should carefully review NAAC parameters before choosing a college to ensure quality education, recognised degrees, and long-term academic and career benefits.
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