The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has granted the A++ grade to 13 colleges and one university in Kerala, said Minister for Higher Education, R Bindu on Thursday.

Kerala University is the only university in the state to receive A++, which is the highest grade offered for educational institutions in the country.

Besides, 23 colleges and the universities of Calicut and Kalady and CUSAT have attained the A+ grade. At least 41 colleges were provided with the A grade by NAAC in its latest assessment.

NAAC is an autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission that conducts a qualitative assessment of colleges, universities and other recognised institutions in the country.

Colleges to be honoured today
The higher education department is hosting 'Excellentia 23' to honour the best institutions at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences at Kakkanad today.

Prof Bhushan Patwardhan, Chairman, NAAC, will be the chief guest at the function that will be inaugurated by minister R Bindu at the RSET Auditorium, Rajagiri Valley in Kakkanad.

85% of government colleges NAAC-accredited
Minister Bindu said 85% of the government colleges in the state have a valid NAAC accreditation. There are 194 government-aided colleges in the state, besides, 88 government colleges and 786 self-financing colleges.