Kerala has among the lowest coverage of higher education institutions to be accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in the country -- a dismally low 20%. The lamentable scenario finds mention in a manual released by NAAC recently to introduce provisional accreditation for colleges (PAC).
While its aggregate matches the national average, Kerala fares better than only eight States, viz. Bihar (19%), Chhattisgarh (17%), Uttarakhand (14%), Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh (both 13%), Telangana (12%), and Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan (both 8%).
According to official statistics, 275 higher education institutions -- eight universities and 267 colleges -- have been accredited by NAAC in the State as of October 26 last.