The origins and history of accreditation of technical education programs in India

This paper describes the origins and history of accreditation of technical education programs in India. Beginning with the ISTE efforts circa 1985, the NBA was conceived as a constituent Board of the AICTE in September 1994. This followed the commitments in the National Policy on Education (1986) and the subsequent Program of Action. This Paper also describes the parallel Manyatha Initiative and a proposal for an Asian Accreditation Accord. The initial institutional and faculty response to Accreditation is briefly described. The positive consequences of Accreditation in India, and some recent initiatives of NBA to align with the Washington Accord, as well as a Bill pending in the Parliament to integrate Accreditation of Technical Education programs with other Higher Education programs are highlighted.