If you're responsible for academic administration or institutional IT and you're wondering about registration on NAD portal, you’re already taking a vital step toward digital transformation. The National Academic Depository (NAD), integrated with DigiLocker, is India’s central platform for issuing and verifying academic credentials.

It allows educational and certifying organizations to upload verified student documents—degrees, mark sheets, awards—directly to the students' DigiLocker accounts in a secure, tamper-proof format. But before that, organizations must first register as official issuers on the NAD portal.

What Is the NAD Portal and Who Can Register?

The NAD portal, governed by the Ministry of Education, facilitates the digitization and verification of academic records. This platform is essential for higher education institutions, school boards, skill councils, and vocational training bodies that want to issue legally verified digital credentials.

Only UGC-recognized, AICTE-approved, or government-accredited organizations are eligible for registration on the NAD portal. Once approved, they can begin issuing digital certificates that are accessible through DigiLocker and accepted across India and abroad.

Why Registration on NAD Portal Matters for Organizations

The process of registration on NAD portal is more than a formality—it’s a digital gateway that enhances transparency, compliance, and student experience. Once registered, institutions no longer need to issue paper certificates or handle repetitive verification requests.

Being on NAD also ensures compliance with NEP 2020 and Digital India mandates. It boosts your credibility among students, recruiters, and accrediting agencies by showcasing that your institution is secure, tech-enabled, and future-ready.

Step-by-Step Process for Registration on NAD Portal

Here’s how educational organizations can complete their registration on NAD portal and start issuing digital credentials through DigiLocker:

1. Visit the DigiLocker NAD Issuer Portal

Begin by visiting the official NAD issuer onboarding page at https://nad.digilocker.gov.in. This is where you'll find the application form and information on eligibility and documentation.

2. Submit Organization Details and Accreditation Proof

Fill in the institution’s details such as name, type (university, board, council), address, contact info, and regulatory affiliation (e.g., UGC, AICTE). Upload scanned copies of accreditation, affiliation letters, or government authorization.

3. Provide Digital Signature and IT Contact Details

You'll need to provide your institution’s Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or details of the signing authority. You must also list IT contact personnel who will handle uploads, integrations, and system maintenance.

4. Await Scrutiny and Approval by the Ministry of Education

After submission, the application is reviewed by the DigiLocker/NAD team in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. If all details are correct and verified, your institution will receive approval within a few weeks.

5. Receive Access to the DigiLocker Issuer Dashboard

Once approved, the institution is granted access to the Issuer Dashboard, a secure backend system where authorized staff can upload, manage, and track digital documents issued to students.

6. Start Uploading Certificates and Awards in Approved Format

Certificates must be uploaded in PDF/A format, digitally signed, and linked to unique student identifiers (Aadhaar, roll number, or enrollment ID). Batch uploads can be done using pre-approved CSV formats.

Benefits of Completing Registration on NAD Portal

Successful registration on NAD portal brings operational, reputational, and compliance advantages for any education-focused organization.

• Faster, Paperless Certificate Distribution
  Issuing digital certificates directly to students eliminates printing, mailing, or reissuing of physical documents.
  
  

• Legally Verified Credentials
  All documents are digitally signed, tamper-proof, and accepted by employers, institutions, and government agencies.
  
  

• Time and Resource Efficiency
  Verifications are done online, reducing workload on registrar offices and administrative staff significantly.
  
  

• Compliance With NEP 2020 Mandates
  NAD integration aligns your institution with modern education reforms, increasing your readiness for Academic Bank of Credits and other national frameworks.
  
  

• Stronger Student and Recruiter Trust
  Students gain instant access to their credentials, while recruiters get trustworthy records without delays or doubts.

TruScholar + NAD Integration: Simplifying Registration and Credentialing

TruScholar partners with NAD-registered institutions to automate and streamline their digital certificate issuance. Using blockchain-secured systems, TruScholar ensures NAD-compliant recordkeeping with added transparency and verifiability.

How TruScholar Adds Value to NAD-Registered Institutions:

• Automates NAD certificate generation, digital signing, and student mapping for institutions.

• Offers blockchain-level security, enabling permanent and tamper-proof academic record storage.

• Supports micro-credentials, skill badges, and modular courses for next-gen academic flexibility.

• Provides dashboards and analytics for tracking document views, shares, and verification statuses.

Final Thoughts on Registration on NAD Portal

Completing registration on NAD portal is a major step toward modernizing your institution’s academic infrastructure. It enables faster certificate delivery, transparent verification, and a digitally empowered learning experience for your students.

As the education system evolves with NEP 2020 and global digital expectations, NAD registration is not just optional—it’s essential. And with partners like TruScholar, you can make this transition smooth, secure, and scalable.