DARBHANGA, May 25 -- Chandradhari Mithila (CM) College, Darbhanga, has secured a B++ grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), becoming the first institution in the state to receive accreditation through a fully online evaluation process Established in 1938 and affiliated with Lalit Narayan Mithila University (LNMU), the college underwent a virtual assessment on May 14 and 15, 2025. An NAAC peer team carried out the evaluation using digital tools, reviewing recorded teaching sessions, institutional data, and holding online interactions with stakeholders. Providing details, college principal Prof Mushtaq Ahmad hailed the recognition as a proud moment for the institutions saying, "the college became the first institution in the state to receive accreditation through a fully online evaluation process". "This accomplishment reflects the collective effort and dedication of our teachers, staff, students, and well-wishers," he said. "Despite limited resources, we have proven that academic quality and institutional integrity can be upheld though hard work." However, the principal also highlighted several systemic issues affecting Bihar's higher education institutions, including a shortage of faculty, an imbalanced teacher-student ratio, and low participation of teachers in research activities and academic seminars-factors that significantly impact NAAC assessments. Having been principal in many constituent colleges such as Marwari College, MLSM College, Millat College and also registrar of LNMU, Prof Ahmad pointed out he had played instrumental role for NAAC accreditation to these institutions. "Accreditation by NAAC is now critical for introducing new academic programs and securing developmental grants," he emphasised. "We must now focus on quality enhancement to meet national benchmarks." Due to the lack of strict adherence to NAAC norms, most universities in Bihar have failed to secure accreditation, with LNMU standing as the sole exception, he claimed. As a consequence, these institutions will loose central grants. The principal expressed concern over the alarming teacher-student ratio in CM College. He pointed out that in 1972, the college had 90 regular faculty members, but today the number has dropped drastically to just 41, along with 15 guest teachers. Meanwhile, the student population has surged to nearly 10,000, putting immense pressure on the existing teaching staff....