Academic Bank of Credits (ABC): All you need to know 

The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) is a game-changing concept introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to enable academic flexibility and students’ mobility across multiple Higher Education Institutes (HEIs).   

ABC is a digital storehouse of the credits earned by students in various courses during their academic journey. It serves as a credit bank for students that allows them to accumulate, verify, transfer, and redeem their credits. ABC aims to create a seamless credit transfer system across Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in India, ensuring flexibility and enhancing learning opportunities for students.  

Also read: What is the importance of WES evaluation for degrees? 

Significance of Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)  

The ABC system helps streamline credit accumulation, transfer, and recognition, enabling students to pursue interdisciplinary learning and customized academic pathways. This system empowers students by giving them the freedom to learn at their own pace, break away from rigid course structures, and accumulate credits from multiple institutions. Moreover, it plays a crucial role in promoting lifelong learning and promoting the continuous pursuit of knowledge.  

Key features and functions of ABC 

• ABC account is mandatory for all students pursuing various courses, whether distance or online.  
• The Academic Bank facilitates the creation, validation, and closure of student’s academic accounts. 
• It is responsible for maintaining the authenticity and confidentiality of the credits.  
• All academic institutions must register on ABC through the National Academic Depository (NAD).  
• Only credits awarded by registered and verified institutions can be deposited into students’ accounts.  
• ABC will only accept credits from institutes and not directly from the student.  
• The credits earned by students will be valid for 7 years during which they can redeem these credits at any time.  
• It allows students to drop out any year from their current institute and get admission into another by just transferring their credits.  

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Steps to create an Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) ID  

While it is the responsibility of the respective higher education institutes to create ABC IDs for their students by collecting relevant information like the student’s name, date of birth, and Aadhar details, they can create one using the following steps:  

• Login to DigiLocker: As a student, start by logging in to your DigiLocker account using your registered credentials. If you do not have a DigiLocker account, create one first. 
• Search for Education: In the DigiLocker dashboard, navigate to the “Education” section to explore various educational services and offerings.  
• Academic Bank of Credits Service: Within the Education category, you will find the “Academic Bank of Credits” service. This service facilitates the creation and management of your ABC ID.  
• Create ABC ID: Click on the “Academic Bank of Credits” service, and you will be directed to the ABC portal. Here, you can create your ABC ID by following the necessary steps and providing the required information.  
• Select your university: After creating your ABC ID, you will be prompted to choose your Higher Education Institution from the available options.  
• Generate ABC ID: Upon selecting your University, click on the “Generate ABC ID” button to complete the process. Your ABC ID will now be linked to your DigiLocker account.  

For more information and to create your ABC ID, visit the official Academic Bank of Credits website: abc.gov.in.  

How to accumulate and check your credits in ABC?  

• Accumulate credits: Once your ABC ID is created and linked to your DigiLocker account, you can start accumulating credits by enrolling in various courses and successfully completing them at any recognized Higher Education Institution.  
• Check your credits: To check your accumulated credits, you need to log in to the official ABC portal at abc.gov.in using your ABC ID and associated credentials.  
• Accessing credit details: Upon successful login, you will have access to a comprehensive overview of your academic performance, including the credits earned in each completed course.  

Also read: International branch campuses and their impact on India’s education system  

Academic Bank of Credits (ABC): What does it mean for students and Institutes 

For students:  

• Flexible learning pathways: ABC enables students to choose courses based on their interests and skills, allowing them to explore diverse courses and create personalized learning paths.  
• Quick and easy credit accumulation and transfer: Students can accumulate credits from different institutions, reducing redundancy and saving time and effort.  
• Recognition of prior learning (RPL): ABC acknowledges prior learning and work experiences, allowing students to gain credits for skills acquired outside the traditional classroom setting.  

You may like to know more about DEB ID creations.

For Higher Education Institutions (HEIs):  

• Increased enrollments: With the credit transfer system, HEIs can attract more students seeking flexible learning options and credit recognition.  
• Enhanced collaboration: It fosters collaboration among HEIs by facilitating the exchange of academic credits, joint research programs, and student mobility.  
• Quality enhancement: The system encourages HEIs to develop relevant and up-to-date course offerings to attract students from various backgrounds. 

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Introducing the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID

In addition to the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), the Ministry of Education, Government of India, has introduced the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID. The APAAR ID system is an identifier that is 12 digits., which is a part of the ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ initiative under the National Education Policy 2020, that serves as a complete digital repository of a student’s academic diplomas, certificates and extracurricular victories.

The APAAR ID represents one place where such electronic documentation can be consolidated and then used for transactions such as credit transfers, admissions, and job applications, which run smoothly because of their compatibility with the ID system. This also reinforces admitting some teachers and schools to enhance transparency and accountability within the education system by tracking students.

For more details, read the article: What is APAAR ID? Why is it significant in your academic pursuit?

Conclusion  

The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) ID is a great initiative that can transform the higher education landscape in India. With an ABC ID, students can unlock the potential of their academic credits, explore diverse learning opportunities, and shape their educational journey according to their interests and aspirations. The ABC ID is a powerful tool that empowers students to become skillful professionals and prepares them for a future that values multidisciplinary expertise.