In a major relief to students and educational institutions, the Maharashtra State Government’s Higher Education Department has extended the deadline for the NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) assessment by six months. As a result, the ban on admissions to 233 colleges affiliated with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University has been relaxed.
Colleges will now be permitted to resume admissions, but only after submitting a ₹500 bond guaranteeing that they will undergo NAAC evaluation within the extended timeframe. This conditional relaxation aims to ensure that institutions commit to quality assurance measures while safeguarding students' academic future.
The university's Vice Chancellor Dr. Vijay Phulari, under the guidance of the university, has taken strict steps to improve quality and made 'NAAC' evaluation mandatory. Accordingly, the admission process of 233 colleges was stopped on May 17, which created a huge stir among the educational institution administrators. Due to this decision, the colleges put a lot of pressure on the university administration, but the university remained firm on its stand. Finally, the matter was brought to the notice of Higher Education Minister Chandrakant Patil. At this time, the colleges gave the reason that the evaluation could not be done because the 'NAAC' website was closed. As a result, the minister decided to extend the deadline, keeping in mind that the future of the students could be jeopardized.
Under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Dr. Vijay Phulari, the university has taken firm steps to enhance educational standards, making NAAC accreditation mandatory for affiliated colleges. Consequently, the admission process for 233 colleges was halted on May 17, creating significant concern among college administrators and affecting thousands of prospective students. The colleges argued that the delay in the assessment process was due to technical issues, including downtime on the official NAAC website. Following intense pressure from affected institutions, the matter was escalated to Higher Education Minister Chandrakant Patil. Acknowledging the impact on students, the minister approved the six-month extension for completing the accreditation process.
The university administration has since agreed to lift the admission ban, subject to the bond condition. While the immediate crisis has been averted, institutions are now required to complete the NAAC assessment within the stipulated period. Education experts believe this move will lead to a more accountable and quality-driven higher education system. The decision not only protects students’ interests but also reinforces the importance of institutional accreditation in ensuring academic standards.