National Board of Accreditation (NBA)
The National Board of Accreditation (NBA) is one of the two primary bodies responsible for accrediting higher education institutions in India, alongside the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The NBA specifically accredits technical programs such as engineering and management, while NAAC focuses on general colleges and universities. Notably, the NBA is a full member of the Washington Accord.
The NBA accredits specific programs rather than entire institutions, covering diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses. Accredited fields include engineering and technology, management, pharmacy, architecture, applied arts and crafts, computer applications, as well as hospitality and tourism management.
Although accreditation is voluntary, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) announced in 2017 that it would not approve institutions that fail to accredit at least half of their programs.