Patna: None of Bihar’s 38 state-run engineering colleges have been included in the latest list of institutions accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA), according to data released by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
The newly published list features leading public and private engineering institutions across India, including Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) and SRM Institute of Science and Technology, among others.
The absence of any technical institution from Bihar has raised concerns about the state’s preparedness to meet national and international quality benchmarks in engineering education.
An official from Bihar’s Department of Science, Technology and Technical Education acknowledged the gap, stating that the NBA list includes institutions that meet global standards of quality education. Accreditation, the official said, enhances students’ prospects for higher education abroad and improves employability.
The department maintained that efforts are under way to upgrade infrastructure in government engineering colleges and bring them in line with NBA standards. “Advanced curricula, qualified faculty and modern facilities will be ensured before applying for accreditation in the future,” the official said.
A Patna- based educationist described the omission as a reflection of deeper structural shortcomings. He noted that several engineering colleges in neighbouring Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh have secured NBA accreditation.
“Accreditation signals quality assurance,” he said. “Its absence suggests that institutions are not yet meeting the academic and infrastructural benchmarks required at the national and global levels.”
NBA accreditation plays a significant role in student mobility. Many foreign universities consider accreditation status when admitting students to postgraduate programmes. Education experts say graduates from non-accredited institutions may face additional hurdles in securing admission abroad or competing in international job markets. India is among a group of countries whose accreditation systems are recognised globally under mutual agreements.
What NBA accreditation requires
Institutions seeking NBA accreditation must meet a series of standards, including:
- Adequate faculty strength in proportion to student intake
- Updated and industry-aligned curriculum
- Modern laboratories and library facilities
- Regular research and innovation output
- Transparent academic and internship records
- Robust placement support systems
- Strong digital infrastructure, including internet and computer facilities
- Qualified faculty with demonstrable research engagement
Educationists argue that without systematic investment in these areas, Bihar’s engineering colleges risk falling further behind at a time when technical education is increasingly competitive and globally interconnected.
