Update (April 2026): Over 32 crore ABC IDs have been issued so far, making the Academic Bank of Credits one of the largest student digital identity systems in the world. If you haven't created yours yet, now is the time.
The ABC ID card is a unique 12-digit identifier that lets students store their academic credits digitally and manage them from one place. Every student in India can create and download their ABC ID card online — and once you have it, using it is straightforward.
ABC ID cards store the academic credits and information of students in a digital ID — keeping them safe, secure, and accessible anywhere.
The NEP (National Education Policy) launched this programme as an initiative from the UGC (University Grants Commission). The MoE (Ministry of Education) and MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) jointly oversee it.
Students in India can obtain the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) ID — a unique 12-digit code — to digitally manage, store, and access their academic credits. This includes certificates, exam mark sheets, diplomas, degrees, training details, and co-curricular achievements.
The ABC ID receives students' academic credits from institutions through the National Academic Depository. These credits are awarded by registered institutions and stored digitally in the ABC, which can be shared or transferred from one institution to another upon the student's consent. This streamlines authentication for admissions or jobs, simplifying the verification of academic records. Actually — it removes the need to carry physical documents altogether.
Full form of ABC ID card is the Academic Bank of Credits. As the name suggests, it records higher educational credits earned by a student from UGC-recognised institutions, which can be transferred between institutions when needed.
You can create an ABC ID card in more than one way. All the methods are covered in detail below.
Step 1: Visit the DigiLocker portal. Existing users can log in by clicking 'Sign In', and new users can click 'Sign Up' to create an account.
Step 2: Use your username and password or Aadhaar number and mobile number to log in.
Step 3: After logging in, click on 'Search Documents'.
Step 4: Under 'Education and Learning', click on 'Academic Bank of Credits'.
Step 5: Select 'APAAR/ABC ID Card'.
Step 6: Enter your name, gender, date of birth, admission year, institution name, Identity Value, and other required details. Tick the consent box. Click on the 'Get Document' button.
Step 1: Visit the official website of the Academic Bank of Credits at abc.gov.in.
Step 2: Click on the 'My Account' button on the right side and select 'Student'.
Step 3: Click on the 'Sign Up' button.
Step 4: Create an account using your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Step 5: Enter the OTP you receive to register and sign in to DigiLocker.
Step 6: The 'Meri Pehchaan' dashboard will appear. A window will pop up — select your university, admission year, and identity type from the drop-down menu.
Step 7: Enter your identity type and click 'Submit'.
Step 1: Visit the official website of the Academic Bank of Credits.
Step 2: Scan the QR code on the home page.
Step 3: Log in to the DigiLocker app.
Step 4: A form with your name, gender, and DOB will open.
Step 5: Choose your Identity Type, Admission year, and Academic Institution from the list. Enter your Identity Value.
Step 6: Click on the 'Get Document' button. Your ABC ID will be generated.
Step 7: After your ABC ID is created, find it under 'My Issued Documents'.
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Here are the steps to download your ABC ID card from DigiLocker after creating it:
Step 1: Visit the DigiLocker portal and log in with your credentials.
Step 2: Click on the 'Issued Documents' option.
Step 3: Click on 'Academic Bank of Credit ID'.
Step 4: Wait till your ID is fetched. Click on 'Download'.
Step 5: A PDF file of your ABC ID card will be downloaded.
Identity Value in ABC ID is a unique data point that helps differentiate each student in the system. Also called 'Identifier Value', this data includes an alphanumeric combination of the user's initials, date of birth, and similar details.
In practical terms? It's your roll number, registration number, admission number, or enrolment number — whichever your institution assigned you.
It helps track, manage, and recognise all student accounts in the ABC ID system. The authorities can identify the data and keep it confidential to enhance security and efficiency.
Here's what the Academic Bank of Credits is actually built to do:
But here's the part most students overlook — you can drop out, take a break, and come back later without losing a single credit.
Some of the most notable benefits of the Academic Bank of Credit ID are:
And that last point matters more than it sounds. A more flexible curriculum means students actually get to learn what they want, not just what fits into a fixed box.
Students can reach the Academic Bank of Credits office for any queries:
Academic Bank of Credits National e-Governance Division, Ministry of Electronics & IT, 4th Floor, Electronics Niketan, 6, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003
For UGC-NAD related queries:
UGC-NAD South Campus, University of Delhi, Benito Juarez Marg, New Delhi – 110021, INDIA
Email: support-nad@gov.in Phone: 011-24117095, 24116316, 24115416
Students can create their ABC ID account to keep a safe record of academic credits. This directly improves their scope and chances for education and career choices. A student holding an ABC ID card can drop out at any time and later redeem their semester credits to rejoin an institution — whenever it suits them.
So no, time spent in higher education is never wasted. Not anymore.
A: As per UGC norms, every student in India pursuing higher education must have an ABC ID. Most universities now require it for admission forms, examination registration, and the issuance of final degrees. If you haven't created yours yet, do it before your institution asks.
A: Visit digilocker.gov.in and log in with your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Under 'Search Documents', select 'Academic Bank of Credits', then choose 'APAAR/ABC ID Card'. Fill in your name, date of birth, admission year, institution, and Identity Value (your roll or registration number), tick the consent box, and click 'Get Document'. Your ABC ID will be generated instantly.
A: Identity Value is your institution-assigned number — it could be your roll number, registration number, admission number, or enrolment number. This unique identifier helps the ABC system differentiate between students and link the correct academic records to your profile.
A: Yes. After creating your ABC ID, log in to DigiLocker and go to 'Issued Documents'. Click on 'Academic Bank of Credit ID' and hit the 'Download' button. Your ABC ID card will be saved as a PDF that you can print or share with institutions.
A: Your ABC ID and all stored credits remain safe for up to seven years even if you drop out or take a break from studies. You can return to any registered institution later and redeem those credits — so you pick up exactly where you left off without repeating what you've already completed.
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