Faculty Perspectives on Academic Performance Indicators (API): Evaluating Their Role in India’s Higher Education System

This research explores the faculty's attitude toward the academic performance indicator (API) system implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC) structure. Transparency, qualification-based evaluation, and promoting academic accountability, the API process has significantly affected the faculty, distributing work stress and academic results. Using a mixed method of survey and interview with teachers of public and private universities, the research investigates awareness, felt effectiveness, and methodological challenges of implementing API. The results show that although performance evaluation has been standardized in the API system and the results of the research have been encouraged, it has also contributed to bureaucratic rigidity, stress, and a reduction of education quality. The survey concludes that to achieve a balanced system can be achieved by integrating the quality evaluation with the measurement of functioning in order to enhance academic excellence and institutional confidence.