Only around 561 out of 1,074 universities in India currently hold valid accreditation from National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), meaning nearly 50% operate without recognized accreditation. 
This alarming gap came into sharp focus after scrutiny of Al-Falah University, which was recently issued a show-cause notice by NAAC for displaying an expired “A” grade. 

A Broader Pattern, Not Just One Exception

Al-Falah’s case is not isolated. Data collected in 2025 shows that hundreds of institutions across the country operate without current NAAC accreditation and continue to misrepresent their status.

For many institutions, the lapse appears to be treated lightly often chalked up to “oversight” or “website-design error.” But the consequences for students and parents are serious: without valid accreditation, there is no verified assurance of educational quality, making it difficult to trust the credibility and standards of these universities. 

Accreditation: More Than Just a Label

Accreditation from NAAC is meant to be a key indicator of an institution’s quality its academic standards, infrastructure, faculty competence, governance and student outcomes. Operating without valid accreditation undermines transparency and deprives stakeholders of a reliable benchmark. 

Until accreditation becomes mandatory and enforcement mechanisms are strengthened, a significant portion of higher-education in India remains in a grey zone with questionable quality assurances and limited accountability.