As India embraces a flexible and multidisciplinary education system under NEP 2020, it’s essential to understand how does APAAR handle Academic Credits. APAAR—Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry—is more than a student ID. It’s a digital academic identity that works hand-in-hand with the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) to manage a student’s learning achievements throughout their life.

APAAR and ABC together empower students to learn at their own pace, from various institutions, and still receive official recognition for every academic credit earned.

What Is APAAR and How It Works With ABC

APAAR is a 12-digit lifelong student ID issued by educational institutions and managed via DigiLocker. It’s designed to link a student’s identity to all academic activities—exams, degrees, certifications, and most importantly, credit accumulation.

When students earn credits from a recognized university or learning provider, those credits are pushed to their Academic Bank of Credits account, which is tied to their APAAR ID. This system ensures that learning doesn’t go unrecorded, even across institutions and formats.

Why Academic Credit Tracking Matters in NEP 2020

One of the core reforms introduced in NEP 2020 is the idea of flexible learning—letting students pause, transfer, or resume education without losing progress. This is only possible with a robust credit tracking system.

APAAR plays a crucial role by ensuring that students can store and transfer credits, switch institutions, or pursue blended learning models while keeping their academic history verified and intact.

How Does APAAR Handle Academic Credits: Key Functions and Processes

The APAAR system handles academic credits through a seamless, secure process that benefits both learners and institutions. Here's how it works:

1. Credit Generation Through Recognized Institutions

When students complete a course or semester, their institution generates credits based on performance, attendance, and course type. These credits are recorded under the guidelines of UGC or AICTE.

2. Mapping of Credits to APAAR ID via ABC

Once credits are earned, they are mapped to the student’s APAAR ID through the Academic Bank of Credits platform. This linkage ensures credits are securely stored and visible to students and verifiers.

3. Real-Time Digital Credit Storage in ABC Account

Each APAAR ID comes with an ABC account where academic credits are automatically deposited. These credits are securely stored, digitally signed, and can be accessed via DigiLocker at any time.

4. Cross-Institution Credit Transfer Made Easy

If a student transfers to another college or university, the credits stored under their APAAR-linked ABC account can be transferred and counted toward the new program, avoiding repetition of coursework.

5. Supports Multi-Entry, Multi-Exit Learning Models

APAAR supports NEP’s flexible model where students can exit after one year with a certificate, rejoin later, and resume learning without starting over—all made possible through credit preservation.

6. Works Across Online, Offline, and Hybrid Courses

Academic credits earned through online courses (SWAYAM, NPTEL) or blended programs are also recorded and stored via APAAR, making it inclusive for modern learning paths.

Benefits of APAAR-Based Academic Credit Handling

Understanding how does APAAR handle Academic Credits reveals how much this system empowers students and academic institutions alike.

• Eliminates Credit Loss During Transfers
  With APAAR, students won’t lose progress when switching colleges or pausing studies. All credits are securely stored and transferable.

• Simplifies Academic Mobility Across India
  Learners can move between universities, states, or learning formats without needing to reapply or repeat courses, thanks to credit portability.

• Enables Personalized and Flexible Learning
  Students can pursue certifications, diplomas, or degrees in a modular format and complete them at their own pace with credit continuity.

• Provides Transparent Credit Verification for Institutions
  Colleges can access a student’s credit history via the APAAR-linked ABC account, making admissions, progression, and record audits efficient.

• Enhances Recognition of Skills and Non-Traditional Learning
  Credits from internships, skill-based courses, and co-curricular programs can be included in a student’s academic profile if recognized by the ABC framework.

APAAR and the Academic Bank of Credits: A Joint Ecosystem

APAAR and ABC are two pillars of India’s evolving education system. Here’s how they function together:

• APAAR provides the student’s identity and academic account.

• ABC stores and verifies the academic credits earned under that identity.

• Institutions update credit records directly to ABC using APAAR as the identifier.

• Students can view, manage, and transfer credits using DigiLocker or the ABC portal.

This dual-system approach ensures both security and accessibility of lifelong learning data.

TruScholar + APAAR: Securing and Enhancing Academic Credit Records

TruScholar helps institutions issue APAAR-integrated, blockchain-verified academic credentials, including modular credits, certifications, and micro-credentials.

How TruScholar Supports APAAR-Based Credit Management:

• Links academic records and certificates directly to the student's APAAR and ABC account.

• Ensures tamper-proof, verifiable storage using blockchain for each credit-earned document.

• Automates bulk uploads of credit data to minimize institutional workload.

• Supports flexible formats like online learning badges and short-term skills certification.

Steps Students Should Take to Track and Use Academic Credits Through APAAR

After understanding how does APAAR handle Academic Credits, here’s what students should do to benefit from it fully:

• Get your APAAR ID activated through your institution

• Ensure your DigiLocker account is Aadhaar-linked and active

• Log in to the ABC portal or DigiLocker to view your stored credits

• Use your APAAR ID when switching institutions or applying for advanced courses

• Keep your learning diverse—online, offline, short-term—and collect credits along the way

APAAR and Academic Credits: Powering India’s Future-Ready Learning Framework

Now that we’ve explored how does APAAR handle Academic Credits, it’s clear that this system supports more than just tracking—it enables lifelong, flexible, and student-centric learning. With APAAR, students are no longer bound to one institution or learning path. Instead, they can build their own journey and carry every achievement with them—securely and digitally.

As NEP 2020 continues to reshape Indian education, APAAR and ABC will stand at the center of it all—ensuring every student has full control over their academic growth.