India, Dec. 1 -- A note from the higher and technical education department issued on November 26 has pointed out that a large number of colleges in Maharashtra are continuing to function without the mandatory National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) assessment and accreditation, raising concerns about the quality of higher education.

As per the Maharashtra Public University Act, every college must obtain NAAC status, but out of 3,858 aided and unaided colleges in the state, only 1,877 have secured this, which means that over 50% are operating without it. Nearly three million students study in these institutions.

Of the state's 2,368 permanent unaided colleges, only 689 colleges have been evaluated and rated by NAAC. Among th...