The Assessor Panel represents a collective intellectual capital of the nation, contributing to strengthening institutional quality, benchmarking standards, and enabling informed decision-making across the higher education ecosystem. The accessor onboarding policy and terms of engagement are outlined below:

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1. Preamble

This Assessor Onboarding Policy establishes the framework for the empanelment, engagement, responsibilities, and governance of Assessors participating in institutional evaluation, accreditation, and ranking processes. The policy is designed to ensure transparency, objectivity, academic rigor, and independence, while leveraging the expertise of distinguished professionals from academia, research, government, and industry.

 

2. Purpose

The Assessor Panel aims to:

• Facilitate credible, data-driven institutional evaluations

• Strengthen peer-review mechanisms aligned with global standards

• Ensure fair, unbiased, and evidence-based assessments

• Build a national repository of academic and domain experts

 

3. Eligibility Criteria

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3.1 Academic Eligibility

Applicants must meet at least one of the following:

• Minimum designation of Associate Professor or above as per University Grants Commission norms 

• Professors, Vice-Chancellors, Directors (including retired) from recognized institutions 

• Principals (including retired) of accredited colleges 

 

3.2 Research & Government Institutions

• Senior Scientists (Level 14 and above) holding a Ph.D.

• Affiliated with reputed Government organizations such as ISRO, DRDO, or equivalent 

 

3.3 Industry Professionals

• Minimum 12 years of relevant experience

• Demonstrated expertise in leadership, innovation, consulting, or sectoral specialization relevant to higher education and institutional development 

 

3.4 Other Criteria

• For academicians applying to join the Assessor Panel, it is mandatory that they have prior exposure to institutional evaluation frameworks. Accordingly, the applicant’s affiliated institution must have participated in the India Rankings process in any previous or ongoing cycle. 

• This requirement ensures familiarity with the methodology, data submission protocols, and evaluation standards, thereby strengthening the quality and consistency of peer review.

 

4. Scope of Empanelment

The panel includes experts from:

• Centrally funded institutions (IITs, NITs, IIITs, Central Universities) 

• Accredited universities and colleges 

• Government R&D organizations 

• Industry and policy ecosystems 

Empanelment is non-exclusive and non-permanent, and subject to periodic review.

 

5. Nature of Engagement

The assessment process follows a hybrid model:

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5.1 Online Engagement (Approx. 80%)

• Data Validation & Verification (DVV) 

• Desk-based assessment and documentation review 

• Virtual peer review discussions and scoring 

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5.2 Offline Engagement (Approx. 20%)

• Institutional site visits (where applicable) 

• Infrastructure and facility verification 

• Stakeholder interactions (faculty, students, administration) 

 

6. Roles & Responsibilities of Assessors

Assessors shall:

• Conduct objective, evidence-based evaluations

• Review submitted data and supporting documentation 

• Assign scores based on defined evaluation frameworks

• Provide qualitative insights and expert observations

• Adhere to timelines and reporting requirements

• Maintain professionalism in all institutional interactions 

 

7. Code of Conduct

Assessors are required to:

• Uphold integrity, neutrality, and professionalism

• Avoid any bias, influence, or external interference

• Respect institutional diversity and contextual differences 

• Conduct evaluations with academic and ethical responsibility

 

8. Conflict of Interest Policy

Assessors must:

• Declare any direct or indirect association with assigned institutions 

• Refrain from participating in evaluations where a conflict exists 

• Avoid consulting, advisory, or financial relationships with evaluated institutions during the review cycle 

Failure to disclose conflicts may result in termination of empanelment.

 

9. Confidentiality & Data Protection

• All information accessed during evaluation is strictly confidential

• Assessors shall not: 

  • Share institutional data with third parties 

  • Use information for personal or professional gain 

  • Retain copies beyond the evaluation process 

Violations may lead to legal and disciplinary action.

 

10. Empanelment Tenure & Review

• Empanelment is valid for a defined term or review cycle

• Assignments are: 

  • Need-based and non-guaranteed

• Continuation depends on: 

  • Quality of evaluation 

  • Timeliness and responsiveness 

  • Compliance with policies and conduct standards 

 

11. Training & Orientation

Selected assessors may undergo:

• Orientation on evaluation methodology and scoring frameworks

• Guidelines on documentation review and DVV processes

• Briefing on ethical standards and compliance protocols

 

12. Remuneration & Recognition

• Assessors may be provided: 

  • Honorarium per assignment (as applicable)

  • Travel and accommodation support (for site visits) 

• Recognition includes: 

  • Official Assessor Certification

  • Inclusion in national peer-review ecosystem 

  • Opportunities for academic and policy engagement 

 

13. Termination & Disqualification

Empanelment may be suspended or terminated in case of:

• Breach of confidentiality 

• Misrepresentation or falsification of credentials 

• Conflict of interest violations

• Non-performance or misconduct 

 

14. Application & Selection Process

1. Submission of Expression of Interest (EoI)

2. Evaluation of credentials and experience 

3. Shortlisting and approval 

4. Empanelment confirmation 

5. Assignment allocation (as applicable) 

 

15. Declaration & Acceptance

By applying and accepting empanelment, the Assessor:

• Confirms that all submitted information is accurate and verifiable

• Agrees to abide by all terms, policies, and ethical guidelines

• Consents to participation in evaluation processes as assigned 

• Acknowledges that empanelment does not guarantee assignment 

 

16. Governing Principles

This policy operates on the foundational principles of: Independence, Transparency, Credibility, Academic Rigor, and Ethical Governance. By adhering to these core tenets, the framework ensures that all actions and decisions are objective, open to scrutiny, and worthy of trust. The commitment to rigorous intellectual standards and high moral principles guarantees that the policy maintains integrity and excellence in every endeavor.