New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS): All central universities were Saturday requested to complete their National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation as per UGC regulations.

Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani requested all central universities to complete their NAAC accreditation or re-accreditation (as the case may be) as per time frame given by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in its regulation.

She was speaking at a two-day retreat of vice chancellors of central universities in Chandigarh Sep 12-13.

She said that "UGC will take up the matter with NAAC for opening regional centres to expedite the process of accreditation".

The NAAC is an autonomous body established by the UGC to assess and accredit institutions of higher education in the country.

According to the UGC, 274 universities and 7,070 colleges have been accredited by the NAAC, Irani had informed parliament July 21.

There are 676 universities and 37,204 colleges in the country.