An academic audit is a systematic and independent review of academic practices, outcomes and quality standards of an institution. It encompasses a wide range of academic, administrative and infrastructural parameters which include curriculum, teaching-learning, research, innovation, faculty performance, student support systems, physical resources, 360-degree feedback system and institutional governance. Its main purpose is to ensure academic quality and continuous improvement towards strengthening the academic ecosystem. SWOC analysis examines institution’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Challenges vis-à-vis academic/regulatory demands. The National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 envisions a holistic, multidisciplinary and flexible education system, emphasising on quality assurance, accountability and transparency in the academic processes of institutions. In this context, academic audit is an essential tool for quality assurance of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Academic audit in HEIs, is an internally driven process of examining one’s own academic performance. Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) is a body, set up inside a college/university by a duly constituted committee comprising faculty members and/or external experts. IQAC monitors/reviews institutional quality practices of teaching, learning, research etc identifies gaps, collects feedback from students and staff, sets benchmarks in daily academic/administrative transaction and recommends corrective measures. National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)-an autonomous body, established under UGC, is an external, peer-based assessment and accreditation agency, evaluates the effectiveness of academic practices of an institution, on a framework of quality criteria and key indicators. The peer team examines the Institutional Self-Study Report (SSR) with supporting documents through a physical or online inspection, makes observations and recommendations for accreditation, based on defined quality parameters. 

Over the years, NAAC assessment and accreditation have become an indispensable part of quality assurance in higher education. Having been associated with NAAC as faculty, and as Principal led a college to NAAC accreditation with garde-B in its first cycle, I have never come across a........

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