UGC is one of the autonomous bodies established by the Government of India. It is the unique grant-giving organization in the country. The prime responsibilities of UGC encompass endowing with funds and also synchronization, determination and maintenance works of standards in higher education institutes. However, NAAC is a self-financing body set up by the UGC to evaluate and provide accreditations to institutes of higher education in India. NAAC was established as an outcome of the suggestions proposed by the National Policy in Education in the year 1986.

UGC mandates

UGC promotes and co-ordinates University education by verifying and sustaining standards of coaching, assessments and research in Universities. It is the authority, which frames set of laws on the minimum standards of education. UGC supervises the progress of college and University level education and also disburse grants for the same to make further developments for sound education. It serves as an imperative tie that connects the Central and State governments and colleges that offer higher education. UGC also advises the India Government about the auxiliary actions needed for improving academic education.

NAAC mandates

NAAC follows a three-stage procedure for assessing the eminence of education provided in an institute. It includes a combination of self-revision and peer review. The assessment process followed by NAAC is carried out via holistic, methodical, intentional, data-based, translucent and collective experience for institutional upgrading. The peer team of NAAC grades, certifies and accredits a college or University on the basis of the evaluation report. As many fake Universities and institutes are emerging day-by-day within India, the NAAC accreditation given to institutes helps students to spot out the institutions of excellence in India.

Key differentiators between UGC and NAAC

• UGC is University Grants Commission whereas NAAC is National Assessment and Accreditation Council.
• UGC approves a College or University whereas NAAC accredits the programs offered in the University or institute.
• NAAC is an accreditation body, which comes under the University Grants Commission of India.

University Grants Commission and National Assessment and Accreditation Council cooperatively award the approval and accreditation of an institute, which in turn helps the institute to stand up with the standard institutions offering college education.