ACADEMIC BANK OF CREDITS

The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) is a revolutionary digital platform by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, built to support every learner’s journey—from early childhood to lifelong learning. In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and powered by the National Credit Framework (NCrF), ABC acts as a dynamic academic portfolio that captures, stores, and showcases a learner's achievements across the entire education spectrum.

Whether you are a 3-year-old beginning your foundational stage, a teenager exploring subjects, a college student pursuing your passion, a professional upskilling mid-career, or a senior citizen learning out of curiosity—ABC belongs to you.

'Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.' – Mahatma Gandhi

Learning knows no boundaries—and ABC makes sure that your every effort is preserved and portable. With features like multiple entry/exit points, credit transfer, and academic mobility, ABC is transforming the learner's experience across institutions, sectors, and time.

It is more than a repository—it is your lifelong learning identity, empowering every citizen to dream, explore, and grow.

About the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)

The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) is more than just a digital repository; it's an ecosystem designed to empower students and revolutionize the educational landscape. It provides a unique ABC ID to every learner, creating a unified digital identity for all their academic pursuits. This ID, linked to DigiLocker, allows for the secure storage, management, and transfer of academic credits earned from various Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and potentially even from school education and vocational training in the future, as envisioned by the NCrF.

For students and learners, the benefits are manifold. Imagine the freedom to choose courses that truly interest you, even if they are offered by different institutions. The ABC makes this possible by allowing you to accumulate credits from various sources and transfer them seamlessly towards a degree or diploma. If life necessitates a break from studies, your academic progress is securely stored, allowing you to re-enter the education system at a later stage without starting from scratch. This 'multiple entry and multiple exit' system, a cornerstone of NEP 2020, provides unparalleled flexibility. Moreover, the ABC recognizes diverse learning pathways, including online courses, internships, and skill-based training, ensuring that all your learning efforts are valued. As Henry Ford aptly stated, 'Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.' The ABC encourages this lifelong learning ethos.

Teachers and faculties will find the ABC a valuable tool in fostering interdisciplinary learning and student-centric approaches. It allows for greater collaboration between institutions and enables the recognition of diverse pedagogical approaches. By focusing on learning outcomes and credit accumulation, educators can tailor their teaching to facilitate the holistic development of their students.

Administration staff will benefit from the streamlined processes for credit verification, transfer, and degree awarding. The ABC, integrated with platforms like the National Academic Depository (NAD), enhances efficiency and reduces administrative burdens. It also promotes transparency and accountability in the academic system.

The ABC also acknowledges the importance of co-curricular activities, professional and non-professional learning, and skill activities. Credits earned through these avenues contribute to a well-rounded profile of the learner. Participation in national-level Olympiads, excelling in a musical instrument, or acquiring a specific vocational skill – all these achievements can potentially find their place in the ABC, contributing to a holistic assessment of an individual's capabilities.

In essence, the Academic Bank of Credits, in alignment with NEP 2020 and the NCrF, strives to create a more flexible, accessible, and equitable education system. It aims to move beyond a rigid, degree-centric model to one that values all forms of learning and empowers individuals to chart their own unique educational pathways, starting from their formative years and continuing throughout their lives. As Albert Einstein wisely said, 'It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.' The ABC provides a framework that can help nurture this joy and facilitate a more holistic and meaningful learning experience for all.

The ABC's vision extends to encompass co-curricular activities, professional and non-professional learning, and a wide array of skill activities acquired throughout life. Credits earned through participation in community initiatives, mastering a craft, or completing recognized skill-based certifications, regardless of age, can potentially be integrated into the ABC framework. This holistic approach acknowledges that learning happens everywhere and at every stage of life. Even achievements in competitive examinations like NEET and JEE, reflecting significant knowledge acquisition and analytical skills, can be part of this comprehensive credit ecosystem.

In essence, the Academic Bank of Credits, driven by the overarching vision of NEP 2020 and operationalized through the NCrF, is building a future where all forms of validated learning are recognized and valued, from the earliest foundational years to ongoing professional development. It is a digital testament to the fact that learning is a lifelong journey, and the ABC is designed to be your constant companion, securely documenting and empowering your continuous growth and development, irrespective of your age or learning pathway.

More about the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)

ABC is more than just a credit repository—it's a lifelong learning partner. Designed to make education flexible and accessible, the platform empowers students to manage their academic credits online, track their progress, and use their credits to resume education or transfer between institutions with ease.

The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) acts as a secure, interoperable digital wallet of your learning journey. It records your achievements and competencies from formal and informal learning modes, ensuring they are recognized, transferable, and valued across institutions and sectors.

The APAAR ID becomes a unique lifelong academic identity, enabling access to academic records, certificates, and qualifications all in one place—securely and transparently. Parents can monitor early education achievements, students can plan their academic goals, and institutions can ensure seamless credit verification and mobility.

No more worries about lost marksheets, delayed verifications, or starting over. ABC lets you build your education brick by brick, across institutions and over time. Want to pause your studies to explore a career, and then come back later? ABC ensures you don’t lose what you’ve already earned.

From playschool records to postgraduate credentials, every step is counted. Every achievement matters. With strong data privacy, easy access, and government recognition, ABC is your passport to a smarter, future-ready, inclusive education system.

Purpose

The purpose of the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) is to create a unified, flexible, and learner-centric digital framework that recognizes, records, and rewards learning across all levels and forms—formal, and informal. It aims to empower every learner with control over their educational journey and ensure that no effort goes unacknowledged, regardless of age or background.

Vision

To build a future-ready education ecosystem where every citizen can seamlessly accumulate and utilize credits throughout life, enabling academic mobility, interdisciplinary growth, and lifelong learning, in line with the NEP 2020 and the National Credit Framework (NCrF). ABC envisions equity, accessibility, and flexibility for all learners—across schools, universities, skill centers, and more.

Expected Outcomes