NAAC stands for National Assessment and Accreditation Council. It functions under the UGC to ensure quality in higher education institutions across India. NAAC uses a grading system (ranging from D to A++) to evaluate colleges and universities on key criteria like teaching, learning outcomes, infrastructure, and research. An institution’s NAAC grade is crucial for funding, admissions, and academic collaborations. NAAC accreditation promotes transparency, academic improvement, and public accountability in Indian education.