The University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially announced the formal integration and renaming of the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) ID into the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID framework.

Operating under the Central Government’s “One Nation, One Student ID” initiative, this policy shift establishes a lifelong digital identity for students, linking their academic profiles directly to Aadhaar and DigiLocker. 

Students can read the complete initiative breakdown on the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Factsheet Page. 

Streamlining Academic Tracking from School to Higher Ed

The transition to the 12-digit APAAR ID simplifies how academic achievements are tracked. While the ABC ID previously focused primarily on higher education, the unified APAAR registry tracks a student’s complete academic journey – spanning primary, secondary, and higher education – as well as vocational and skill development courses.

The UGC has directed all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to expedite the mapping of existing student profiles and ensure that all earned credits are systematically uploaded to the updated portal. All verified degrees, diplomas, and credit transcripts will reside securely within the National Academic Depository (NAD) for instant authentication.

Key Rules of the Digital Credit System

  • 7-Year Validity: Accumulated academic credits remain valid for a maximum of seven years, or as per specific institutional norms.
  • One-Time Redemption: Once credits are redeemed to claim a degree or transfer to another institution, they are permanently frozen and cannot be reused.
  • SWAYAM Integration: Students can earn up to 40% of their semester credits via online courses on the SWAYAM platform.
  • Travel Benefits: Registered students aged 13 to 30 can unlock student perks, including a 10% discount on base airfares and a 10kg excess baggage allowance on select airlines.

How Students Can Generate Their APAAR ID

Students can easily create or access their new ID using these four steps:

  1. Log In: Open the official DigiLocker app or website.
  2. Search Service at education section and select “APAAR ID”.
  3. Verify Details: Enter Aadhaar details, institutional name, and current roll number.
  4. Download Card: Save the newly generated 12-digit APAAR Card to your smartphone.

What is the new APAAR ID, and how is it related to ABC ID?

APAAR ID is the new name for the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) ID. It serves as a unified digital academic identity that securely stores and manages a student’s educational records and academic credits.

Do students need to create a new APAAR ID if they already have an ABC ID?

No. Existing ABC IDs are being transitioned into the APAAR ecosystem, so students generally do not need to create a separate ID unless instructed by their institution.

What are the benefits of the unified APAAR ecosystem?

The APAAR ecosystem enables secure storage of academic records, easier credit transfers between institutions, seamless access to certificates through DigiLocker, and supports lifelong learning under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.