Prayagraj: The University of Allahabad is all set to host the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) team on May 27 to May 29 for its second assessment visit since gaining Central status in 2005. The campus is abuzz with activity as departments finalise their preparations in hopes of securing a prestigious ‘A’ grade, a leap from the ‘B++’ grade awarded during the last assessment in 2019. This visit is seen as a significant milestone for the university, which underwent major infrastructural and academic transformations in the past five years. According to official records, approximately 360 faculty positions and around 1,100 non-teaching and administrative posts were filled during Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sangita Srivastava tenure. Infrastructural development has also taken centre stage. The university added three new hostels, an early childhood care and education centre, the Harivansh Rai Bachchan Cultural Centre, a new guest house, and several other academic buildings to improve the learning environment and accommodate growing student needs. The NAAC, an autonomous body under the University Grants Commission (UGC), assesses and accredits institutions of higher education in India. The accreditation and grading provided by NAAC are valid for five years and play a crucial role in determining the eligibility of institutions for govt grants and academic recognition.During the three-day evaluation, each department is expected to present a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation to the NAAC peer team. The presentations will include data on student placements, PhD completions, numbers of Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowships (SRF), seminars and events hosted over the last five years, as well as research output such as published papers, books, and patents. Departments will also highlight lab facilities, teacher-student ratios, and information regarding vacant or filled teaching positions. In preparation for the visit, the university registrar issued a notification on May 22, mandating that no teaching or non-teaching staff member takes leave from May 26 to May 29. The notice also directed all departments, centres, and offices to complete necessary preparations by May 24.This inspection is critical for AU as it aims to secure an ‘A’ grade, which would not only elevate its academic standing but also open doors to increased funding and national academic collaborations. Faculty and administrators alike are hopeful that the recent strides in academic quality and infrastructure will help the institution achieve this goal.