The Academic Bank of Credits, usually called ABC, is a digital system that keeps a record of the academic credits a student earns in higher education. The idea is simple: just as a bank account stores money, the ABC account stores credits. The National Education Policy 2020 proposed multiple entry and multiple exit options in undergraduate education, so that a student who has to pause studies can return later and continue without starting from zero. ABC is the tool that makes this possible in practice.
The University Grants Commission notified regulations for the establishment and operation of the Academic Bank of Credits in higher education in 2021. The portal abc.gov.in was then launched. Higher education institutions that register with ABC upload the credits earned by their students to the students’ accounts.
What a credit means
A credit is a unit that measures the amount of learning in a course. Completing a course earns the credits assigned to it. Under a credit based system, a certificate, diploma or degree requires a certain total of credits. How many credits lead to which qualification is set by the UGC curriculum framework and the rules of each university, so students should always read the official notification of their own institution rather than rely on general figures.
How to create an ABC ID
The ABC ID is created through DigiLocker. A student can visit abc.gov.in or open the DigiLocker app and select the ABC option. A DigiLocker account and an Aadhaar linked mobile number make the process smooth. During registration, the student selects the institution and enters details such as admission year and enrolment number. Once the ID is generated, it should be shared with the college or university so that credits can be deposited in the right account.
The central government has also introduced the APAAR ID, described as One Nation One Student ID, which is meant to be a lifelong academic identity. In higher education, ABC and APAAR are linked. Students should create whichever ID their institution asks for, and do it well before exam or admission forms are due.
Why ABC is useful
The first benefit is flexibility. If a student has to leave studies midway for personal, financial or health reasons, the earned credits remain in the account and can be used later according to the rules. The second is mobility. A student moving from one institution to another can have credits recognised, provided both institutions are registered and the regulations allow it. The third is security, because a digital record reduces the risk that comes with lost paper mark sheets.
Online learning also fits into this system. Under UGC rules, credits from approved online courses, such as those on the SWAYAM platform, can be counted according to the policy of the student’s institution. This allows students to study subjects of interest beyond their main programme and still have the effort recorded.
Points to keep in mind
The name, date of birth and other details in the ABC account should match Aadhaar and the institution’s records. A mismatch can stop credits from being deposited. The validity period of credits and the conditions for using them are laid down in the regulations, which are available on the official portal. There is no need to pay an agent to create an ABC ID; students can do it themselves free of cost.
Many institutions now ask for the ABC ID while filling admission or examination forms, so creating it at the start of the academic year saves last minute stress. Keep the ID number and login details safe and never share an OTP with anyone who calls in the name of the university.
In short, the Academic Bank of Credits is a digital account of a student’s credits that supports the flexible structure of NEP 2020. The ABC ID is created through DigiLocker and institutions deposit credits into it. For the latest rules and procedures, abc.gov.in and the UGC website are the right sources.
Also Read: APAAR ID for Students: What It Is, Benefits, How to Create It and Is It Mandatory
Source: Academic Bank of Credits portal, University Grants Commission
