Bhubaneswar: Utkal University in Odisha capital here has been awarded A+ grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) of the University Grants Commission (UGC) recently.

A NAAC team had visited Utkal University from September 26 to 28 this year. The varsity has been awarded a final grade point of 3.26 by the NAAC team, sources said.

The university has received a grade point of 3.57 in curricular aspects; 3.33 in teaching-learning and evaluation; 3.15 in research, innovations and extension; 3.65 in infrastructure and learning resources; 3.11 in student support and progression; 2.62 in governance, leadership and management and 3.37 in institutional values and best practices.

Notably, Utkal University had been awarded A grade by the NAAC with a final grade point of 3.16 a few months ago. The varsity had secured A+ grade during an assessment by the NAAC in 2016.

Many people including educationists, intellectuals and former students of the varsity had expressed concern over the drop in NAAC grade to Utkal University. The Higher Education department had then planned to file an appeal before the NAAC seeking a fresh assessment of the varsity.

It is worth mentioning here that Ravenshaw University in Odisha's Cuttack city has recently been awarded A++ grade with a final point of 3.58 by the NAAC.