ABC ID Card (APAAR) 2026: Academic Bank of Credits Registration.

The Ministry of Education, Government of India, has mandated the generation of the ABC ID Card (APAAR) 2026 for all school, college, and university students under the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). Operating as a digital repository under the Academic Bank of Credits framework, the ABC ID Card (APAAR) 2026 assigns a unique 12-digit lifelong identification number that digitally archives degrees, diplomas, certificates, and academic credits earned by students across recognized institutions nationwide.

• Under the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP), the Ministry of Education, Government of India, alongside the University Grants Commission (UGC) and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), has instituted the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC ID), now designated as the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR Card).

Whether enrolled in school education, undergraduate or postgraduate university programs, ITI trades, polytechnic diplomas, or doctoral research, an active APAAR ID has become an essential prerequisite for semester examination forms, institutional admissions, credit transfers, and national/state scholarship applications. The registry assigns a permanent 12-digit academic identification number that records and verifies all educational accomplishments digitally.

• Below is the complete operational guide covering the foundational architecture of the Academic Bank of Credits, NEP multiple entry/exit provisions, system benefits, prerequisite checklists, and a step-by-step registration workflow via DigiLocker.

Also Read: Eligible students can also apply for the HDFC Parivartan Scholarship 2026 to secure educational financial support.

ABC ID (APAAR Card) 2026: Fast Overview

What is the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC / APAAR)?

Traditionally, a student who discontinued a degree program after completing their initial year due to financial constraints, relocation, or personal circumstances forfeited all completed semesters upon seeking re-admission years later. Institutions routinely required restarting from the first semester.

The Academic Bank of Credits operates analogously to a digital commercial bank account:

[Academic Achievements & Course Credits Earned]
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[Deposited in Permanent Central Academic Account (ABC/APAAR)]
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[Digitally Transferred Upon Inter-University Migration or Re-Admission]

• Credit Storage: Course credits earned through passing semester examinations, continuous internal assessments, or recognized online courses (e.g., SWAYAM/NPTEL) are automatically deposited by affiliated institutions into the student’s central repository.
• Seamless Migration: Upon transferring between colleges, districts, or states, the receiving university accesses verified prior academic credits using the student’s 12-digit number to determine entry placement without repeating coursework.

NEP Multiple Entry and Exit Integration

The National Education Policy structures undergraduate higher education through flexible entry and exit points, recorded directly in the APAAR registry:

Core Benefits of the APAAR Academic ID

• Permanent Protection Against Document Loss: Physical academic records can be misplaced, damaged, or lost. The APAAR system anchors all issued marksheets, passing certificates, and degrees within government-secured servers accessible at any time.
• Elimination of Counterfeit Credentials: Every digital credential carries an encrypted cryptographic QR code. Public sector recruitment commissions, corporate HR verification panels, and universities can verify authentic marks instantly without requiring physical attestation.
• Frictionless Institutional Transfer: When families relocate across state boundaries, credit verification occurs digitally across affiliated universities, reducing paperwork for migration certificates and transfer credentials.
• Direct Scholarship Reconciliation: Entering the APAAR number on scholarship platforms (such as the National Scholarship Portal or State Post-Matric portals) enables automated validation of institutional enrollment, preventing administrative delays in benefit disbursement.
• Lifetime Continuity: The 12-digit identification number remains constant throughout the individual’s academic trajectory—from foundational schooling through primary, secondary, tertiary, and post-doctoral studies.

Pre-Registration Checklist

Ensure the following items are ready before starting the digital registration process:

• Official Identification Proof: Must reflect the student’s exact legal name, gender, and date of birth corresponding character-for-character with school/matriculation records.
• Active Mobile Connection: The mobile number linked to the student’s central identity record must be active to receive the 6-digit verification One-Time Password (OTP).
• Institutional Enrollment Parameters: The official registered name of your School Board, ITI, Polytechnic, College, or University, alongside your Current Roll Number, Enrolment Number, Registration ID, or New Admission Application Form Number.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Generate Your APAAR / ABC ID on DigiLocker

[Open DigiLocker] ➔ [Search "ABC ID" or "APAAR"] ➔ [Confirm Personal Details]
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[Download Official PDF] ⮜ [Card Generated in "Issued"] ⮜ [Input College & Roll No]

1. Access the DigiLocker Application: Download the official DigiLocker App from Google Play Store / Apple App Store, or navigate to digilocker.gov.in on a desktop browser.
2. Account Sign-In or Creation:
   • Existing Users: Log in using your registered mobile number and your 6-digit security PIN.
   • New Users: Select Sign Up, enter your legal name, date of birth, mobile number, and identity credentials, and verify via OTP to complete registration.
3. Locate the APAAR / ABC Service: In the bottom navigation menu, select Search. In the search bar, type “ABC ID” or “APAAR”.
4. Select Academic Bank of Credits: Select the document titled “Academic Bank of Credits – Ministry of Education”.
5. Review Pre-Populated Information: Your legal name, date of birth, and gender will automatically populate based on verified authentication records.
6. Input Academic Credentials:
   • Admission Year: Select the year of initial admission to your current academic program (e.g., 2024, 2025, or 2026).
   • Identity Type: Choose from Roll Number, Registration Number, Enrolment Number, or New Admission.
   • Identity Value: Enter your designated roll number, registration number, or application form number.
   • Institution Name: Search for and select your affiliated University, Technical Board, Autonomous College, or School Council from the dropdown list.
7. Submit Document Request: Check the consent box and click “Get Document”.
8. Retrieve Your APAAR Card: Within moments, your digital 12-digit card will be generated. Access it under the “Issued Documents” section of DigiLocker to view or download the official PDF.

💡 RK Advice: 5 Troubleshooting Tips for Common Issues

• Resolve Name Mismatches Before Registering: If the spelling of your name or your date of birth differs between your primary identification card and your academic marksheet, the system will reject generation. Update your identification records at a service center first to ensure exact alignment with your Class 10th certificate.
• Selecting the Correct Parent University: Students enrolled in private or non-autonomous degree colleges often cannot find their individual college name in the dropdown list. In these instances, select the affiliating government university to which your college is formally tied (e.g., Kurukshetra University, MDU Rohtak, Delhi University) rather than the local college branch name.
• Keep Mobile Linkages Active: The generation process relies entirely on OTP authentication. If your registered mobile number is inactive, visit an authorized center to update your primary mobile linkage before beginning the application.
• Updating Mistakes on an Existing Card: If an incorrect roll number or college was selected during setup, you do not need to create a new card. In DigiLocker’s Issued Documents section, delete the existing card record, return to the Search menu, and regenerate the document using your updated credentials. Your 12-digit APAAR number will remain unchanged.
• Physical PVC Cards Are Optional: The downloaded digital PDF or a standard paper printout carrying the official QR code is legally valid under the Information Technology Act. Laminating or ordering a plastic PVC card is optional and serves only for personal durability.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is there any fee charged for generating an ABC ID / APAAR card?

Ans: No. The creation and issuance of an ABC ID / APAAR card via DigiLocker and the official portal is a free public digital service provided by the Government of India.

Q2: Can a student possess more than one ABC ID / APAAR card?

Ans: No. The system links directly to the student’s unique central identification records, ensuring that only one permanent 12-digit APAAR number can be generated per individual nationwide.

Q3: Is the ABC ID compulsory for school students as well as college students?

Ans: Yes. Under the unified APAAR framework, the Ministry of Education has extended registration across all levels, from primary school through higher education, creating a unified academic record throughout the student’s academic journey.

Q4: What should a newly admitted student enter if they have not yet received a permanent college roll number?

Ans: Students awaiting formal registration numbers can select “New Admission” under the Identity Type field and enter their temporary admission application or fee receipt number in the Identity Value field.