Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Higher Education Department has intensified efforts to ensure that seven state universities obtain or renew their accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The department has sent letters to the concerned institutions, directing them to complete the accreditation process at the earliest.
The initiative is part of the state’s broader efforts to strengthen higher education standards and improve the national standing of its universities. Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the state government would extend the necessary support to the institutions to facilitate the process.
Seven Universities Identified for NAAC Accreditation
The seven universities directed to take steps towards NAAC accreditation are:
- Odia University
- Maa Manikeswari University
- Vikram Dev University
- Rajendra University
- Dharanidhar University
- Madhusudan Law University (MS Law University)
- Shri Jagannath Sanskrit University
The department has asked these institutions to speed up the necessary procedures. The state government is also coordinating with the University Grants Commission (UGC) to support the accreditation initiative.
According to reports, six of these universities have not previously received NAAC accreditation, while Shri Jagannath Sanskrit University has an earlier accreditation that requires renewal.
Only 10 of Odisha’s 17 Public Universities Have Valid Accreditation
The latest accreditation figures highlight the scale of the challenge facing the state’s higher education system.
As reported on November 2, 2026, only 10 of Odisha’s 17 general public universities had valid NAAC accreditation. The remaining seven institutions are the ones now being targeted for accreditation or renewal.
NAAC accreditation is an important mechanism for assessing the academic and administrative performance of higher education institutions. The assessment covers several areas, including teaching and learning, curriculum, research, infrastructure, student support, institutional governance and overall educational quality.
A valid accreditation grade also provides students and other stakeholders with an independent assessment of an institution’s academic standards. It can help institutions meet eligibility requirements for certain research grants, development funding and financial assistance.
However, the absence of a valid accreditation grade does not automatically mean that a university provides poor-quality education. It indicates that the institution does not currently hold a valid NAAC assessment.
Government Focuses on Faculty Recruitment and University Rankings
Alongside the accreditation drive, the Odisha government is taking steps to strengthen university administration and academic infrastructure.
Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the appointment process for vice-chancellors at state universities had been completed. Meanwhile, interviews are underway to recruit more than 1,400 professors, associate professors and assistant professors across higher education institutions.
The recruitment process is expected to be completed within the next two months, according to the reported update.
The government is also working to improve the performance of Odisha’s universities in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and other national and international ranking systems.
Coordination with the UGC and institutional support for accreditation are expected to play an important role in these efforts.
What the NAAC Renewal Drive Means for Odisha’s Universities
The latest directive puts the responsibility on the seven universities to move forward with the accreditation process. Their progress will depend on completing the required institutional preparations and assessment procedures.
For Odisha’s higher education sector, improving accreditation coverage is an important step towards strengthening institutional accountability, academic infrastructure and public confidence.
The government’s support, faculty recruitment efforts and coordination with the UGC will be important as the institutions work towards obtaining or renewing their accreditation. The progress of these seven universities will be closely watched as Odisha pushes to improve NAAC accreditation in Odisha and strengthen its higher education system.
