Quality of higher education is measured by outcomes: NITI Aayog member Gobardhan Das

NITI Aayog's Gobardhan Das emphasizes measuring higher education quality through stakeholder outcomes to enhance employability and global standing.

“The quality of higher education is measured through the outcomes created and demonstrated for stakeholders such as students, industry including small and medium enterprises and society. Significant improvements in the outcomes of these stakeholders are vital for achieving Viksit Bharat,” said Prof. Gobardhan Das, Member, NITI Aayog.

Speaking on the 32nd Foundation Day of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), he said: “Our goals in improving employability of graduates, scholarly publications, research leading to innovation and startups, internationalising Indian education, etc., are important to place our higher education at the global level.”

“Given the importance of quality assurance through accreditation, and the reforms that are to be launched soon, accreditation will drive the higher education system of our country. Realising the pivotal role of accreditation, a new vertical, Vikasit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA), has been proposed to strengthen the accreditation ecosystem. With a national-level governance system for accreditation coupled with major reforms, accreditation is moving to centre stage,” he added.

Prof. Nageshwar Rao, Chairman, Executive Committee, NAAC, said only 45% of universities and 25% of colleges were accredited. “But accreditation is vital to ensure quality education through outcomes to the stakeholders, and place our academic institutions at the global level,” he said.

Published - September 17, 2026 08:49 pm IST