ACADEMIC BANK OF CREDITS

APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) provides each learner with a unique lifelong APAAR ID, serving as their digital identity across educational platforms. ABC uses this APAAR ID to track and manage academic credits. Without an APAAR ID, a student cannot access or use ABC services, including credit transfers and academic progression. APAAR and ABC are deeply integrated and part of a unified digital public infrastructure for education, along with platforms like DigiLocker and the National Academic Depository (NAD). Together, they enable seamless interoperability, offering a single verifiable source of truth for academic records and benefits.

All eligible award-granting bodies recognized by the Ministry of Education, UGC, AICTE, NCVET, or any other competent regulatory authority can register with ABC. These institutions must be authorized to confer degrees, diplomas, or certificates and must adhere to ABC platform guidelines.

Any student or learner can benefit from ABC. The platform supports the recording of achievements and competencies from both formal and informal learning modes, in alignment with the National Credit Framework (NCrF). These credits are recognized, transferable, and valued across educational and skill-based institutions.

“Credit” means the standard methodology of calculating one hour of theory or one hour of tutorial or two hours of laboratory work, per week for a duration of a semester (13-15 weeks) resulting in the award of one credit; which is awarded by a higher educational institution on which these regulations apply; and, Credits’ for internship shall be one credit per one week of internship, subject to a maximum of six credits.

ABC allows institutions to deposit academic credits earned by students into their academic bank accounts (linked to the APAAR ID). It enables verification, transfer, accumulation, and redemption of credits for degree, diploma, or certificate awards. It promotes academic mobility and curriculum flexibility.

“Credit-accumulation” means the facility created by the Academic Bank of Credits in the Academic Bank Account opened by students in order to transfer and consolidate the credits earned by them by undergoing Courses.

“Credits-recognition” means the credits earned through a registered Higher Educational Institution and transferred directly to the Academic Bank of Credits by such Higher Educational Institution.

Credit transfer allows students to use their credits from one institution to another. This “Credit-transfer” means the mechanism by which the Registered Higher Educational Institutions are able to receive or provide prescribed credits to individual Academic Bank Accounts in adherence to the University Grants Commission credit norms for the ‘courses’ undertaken by students enrolled in any Registered Higher Education Institution within India.

“Credit-redemption” means the process of commuting the accrued credits in the Academic Bank Account of the students maintained in ABC for the purpose of fulfilling the credits requirements for the award of Degrees or Diplomas or Certificates or Course work for Ph.D. programme etc., by the registered degree-awarding Higher Educational Institutions; Credit transfer allows students to use their credits from one institution to another. This “Credit-transfer” means the mechanism by which the Registered Higher Educational Institutions are able to receive or provide prescribed credits to individual Academic Bank Accounts in adherence to the University Grants Commission credit norms for the ‘courses’ undertaken by students enrolled in any Registered Higher Education Institution within India.

ABC is applicable for credits earned from academic year 2021 onwards, provided they are awarded by ABC-registered institutions.

Credits are valid for a maximum of 7 years or the duration prescribed by the relevant academic discipline. Once redeemed, credits cannot be reused.

No. ABC does not award degrees, diplomas, or certificates. It only facilitates the storage and transfer of academic credits. Final awards are conferred by the degree-granting institutions.

Students can register through the official ABC portal (www.abc.gov.in) using their APAAR ID and DigiLocker credentials. A user manual is available for guidance.

It is the digital account associated with a learner's APAAR ID where academic credits are stored, tracked, and managed. It ensures centralized access to academic history for credit transfer and redemption.

No. Institutions must not only meet the eligibility criteria but also complete the formal registration process on the ABC portal and regularly upload verified credit data linked to learners' APAAR IDs.

Students can check their institution's accreditation status on its official website or consult the list of registered institutions on the ABC portal.

ABC is a core digital initiative aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It supports flexible learning, multiple entry-exit points, interdisciplinary learning, and lifelong education by enabling seamless credit mobility.

The platforms adopt robust security protocols and encryption standards to ensure data privacy and integrity. Access is authenticated via APAAR ID and Aadhaar-linked DigiLocker credentials.

ABC ensures that academic credits remain safe and intact in the learner’s account. Students can resume studies or switch institutions without losing prior academic progress, promoting lifelong learning.

APAAR, which stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry, is a specialized identification system designed for all students in India. This initiative is part of the 'One Nation, One Student ID' program launched by the Union government, aligning with the new National Education Policy of 2020.

"Every student in India is required to register for APAAR ID - a unique 12-digit code to digitally store, manage, and access all their academic credits, including degrees, diplomas, certificates, training details, and co-curricular accomplishments. This ID functions as a digital identity for the student in the realm of education.

The APAAR ID acts as a link to DigiLocker, an online repository, where students securely store essential documents like exam results. Linked to the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) via the APAAR ID, it receives academic credits from institutions through the National Academic Depository. This streamlines authentication for admissions or job applications, simplifying the verification of academic records.

APAAR ensures accountability and transparency in education by tracking student progress and streamlining academic records. It enhances efficiency, combats fraud, and includes co-curricular achievements for holistic student development. With multiple use cases, APAAR facilitates a smooth transfer process and supports data-driven decision-making in educational institutions. It also enables students to easily share their academic records for enhanced access to opportunities.

In the dynamic landscape of educational technology, APAAR delivers unique advantages, including personalized learning for early education, targeted interventions for K12 platforms, personalized study plans for test preparation, and skill gap analyses with industry-relevant content for upskilling programs.

APAAR empowers schools by streamlining operations, simplifying tasks like admissions, and organizing crucial student information for enhanced academic management. With the use of digital data analytics, APAAR enables schools to generate insightful reports, refine teaching methodologies, and transition into a future without paperwork. This transformative approach allows educators to focus entirely on their core mission of delivering quality education to students.

APAAR transforms college education by streamlining administrative processes, providing valuable academic insights, guiding career development, and facilitating industry connections. In higher education, it simplifies tasks such as admissions and record management, offers insights into student performance, aids in personalized career advice, and enhances student-employer connections. As a reliable partner for colleges, APAAR manages details, allowing institutions to focus on creating conducive environments for academic and professional growth.

APAAR transforms student experiences by creating a digital academic passport, consolidating educational history and achievements for easy verification. It ensures seamless transitions between educational institutions, fostering uninterrupted educational journeys. With a focus on enhancing experiences, APAAR empowers students to take ownership of their academic achievements in a positive learning environment.