In a mid-academic year shocker for 26 aided degree colleges across the State, the education department has stopped their grants for not obtaining minimum grading -  at least a “B grade”- certificate of accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

The education department has stopped the grants under rule 12 (1) (L) of the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Collegiate Education) Rules- 2003, which specifies the withdrawal or reduction of grants to institutions which do not receive at least a ‘B grade’ certificate from NAAC.

NAAC, an autonomous accreditating body, allots nine accreditation grades to institutions: A++, A+, A, B++, B+, B, C++, C+, and C, based on infrastructure and other parameters following assessment by expert teams. These colleges had an entire year to rectify their lapses; they now face an uncertain future.

The collegiate education department had given them a year’s time to produce at least a “B grade” certificate - by November this year.

In fact, 49 colleges were on the list then. Of these, 20 applied for reassessment and improved their grades. As many as 18 colleges failed to get better grades.

Five colleges were asked by NAAC to re-submit their self-study report for reassessment, and three colleges did not even bother to apply. The order will be in effect until the college show improvement in their grades, sources said.

List of colleges

SLN College, Bangalore; Methodist Arts College, Bidar; PJNM College, Biruru; HPS College, Harapanahalli; Sree Muthunjaya Shivacharya First Grade College, Honnali; PES Evening College, Mandya; Dr B R Ambedkar First Grade College, Hallikeda; Amereshwara College, Bidar; Bhagavan Budha First Grade College, Bangalore; Vani Vilas Sugar Factory Education Trust's College, Hiriyur; B T Channaiah Gowramma College, Somawarpet; SES College, Bellary; Smt GRKS First Grade College, Harihara.

H C Booraiah Memorial First Grade College, Jagalur; Srimad Rambapuri Education Society’s  SMR First Grade College, Shimoga; Kukke Subramanya Swamy First Grade College, Subramanya; Basanth Evening College, Mangalore; SJM.Evening College, Chitradurga; Hasanth First Grade Boys College, Bangalore; M V Municipal Evening College, Chikballapur; Siddarameshwara College, Aurad; Group Education Committee’s First Grade College, Kundagol; A N Varadarajulu First Grade College, Goruru; Dr Ambedkar College, Bangalore; DVS  Evening College,  Shimoga; Chennakeshava First Grade College,
Saligrama.