If you're searching how to upload certificate & awards in the NAD depository, you're likely representing an academic institution or organization looking to digitize and authenticate educational achievements. The National Academic Depository (NAD) is India’s official platform for issuing and verifying academic records in a secure, paperless format.

Managed by the Ministry of Education and integrated with DigiLocker, NAD allows universities, schools, boards, and skill councils to upload degrees, mark sheets, certificates, and even awards—ensuring students get verified records instantly and globally.

What Is the NAD Depository and Who Can Upload?

The National Academic Depository is a secure digital system that stores academic records issued by authorized institutions. It supports everything from university degrees to school mark sheets, vocational training certificates, and awards. These documents are stored in digitally signed, tamper-proof formats and accessed through the student’s DigiLocker account.

Only institutions approved by the Ministry of Education, including UGC-recognized universities, state boards, skill councils, and other government-accredited bodies, can upload documents to the NAD platform.

Why It’s Important to Know How to Upload Certificate & Awards in the NAD Depository

Understanding how to upload certificate & awards in the NAD depository ensures your institution stays compliant with NEP 2020 guidelines and supports India’s Digital Education goals. It also improves transparency, speeds up student verification processes, and enhances your institution’s digital credibility.

Uploading these records means students no longer rely on physical documents. They receive permanent, authenticated access to their achievements—useful for job applications, international admissions, and government exams.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Upload Certificate & Awards in the NAD Depository

The NAD upload process is handled through DigiLocker’s Institution Dashboard and includes file preparation, metadata entry, and document validation steps. Here’s how the process works from start to finish:

1. Register as an Issuer on the DigiLocker NAD Platform

Institutions must first register as a document issuer at https://nad.digilocker.gov.in. Approval is granted based on verification of institutional status and eligibility by the Ministry of Education.

2. Access the DigiLocker Issuer Portal

Once approved, institutions receive login credentials for the DigiLocker Issuer Dashboard. This is the interface used to upload, manage, and view all issued certificates and awards digitally.

3. Format Documents According to DigiLocker Standards

All certificates and awards must be digitally signed using an authorized DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) and uploaded in a PDF/A format. Metadata like student name, course, date, and certificate ID must be included.

4. Upload Individual or Bulk Records

Institutions can choose to upload single certificates or perform bulk uploads using CSV templates and batch files. This is especially useful after exam results or convocation events involving large student volumes.

5. Validate and Link Records With Aadhaar or Student IDs

Each uploaded document must be mapped to a unique identifier such as Aadhaar, roll number, or institutional ID. This ensures the right student receives the right document in their DigiLocker.

6. Push Certificates to Student DigiLocker Accounts

After upload and validation, the system pushes certificates directly to the student’s DigiLocker account. Students are notified via SMS or email and can access, download, or share the document instantly.

Types of Certificates & Awards You Can Upload to NAD

Understanding how to upload certificate & awards in the NAD depository also means knowing what types of documents are supported. Here are the most common formats accepted:

• Degree Certificates (UG, PG, PhD)
  Issued after successful program completion by universities or deemed institutions.
  
  

• Diploma and Vocational Certifications
  Offered by polytechnics, skill training centers, and technical education boards.
  
  

• Academic Mark Sheets and Grade Reports
  Semester-wise or final results provided by schools, colleges, and boards.
  
  

• Merit Awards and Scholarships
  Recognitions, medals, or cash awards for outstanding academic or extracurricular performance.
  
  

• Skill-Based and Industry Certifications
  Industry-linked programs issued by Sector Skill Councils under NSDC or AICTE.

Benefits of Uploading to the NAD Depository for Institutions

Properly learning how to upload certificate & awards in the NAD depository results in several powerful benefits for your institution.

• Builds Institutional Trust With Digital Verifiability
  Your certificates become instantly verifiable nationwide, increasing your institution’s credibility with students, employers, and regulators.
  
  

• Reduces Manual Verification Requests
  You eliminate the constant workload of issuing duplicates or confirming records for external parties.
  
  

• Aligns With NEP 2020 and Digital India
  Uploading to NAD ensures you are fully aligned with India’s digital governance and education modernization efforts.
  
  

• Improves Student Outcomes and Opportunities
  Students gain faster, broader access to their credentials, improving their success rate in jobs, admissions, and exams.
  
  

• Ensures Tamper-Proof, Authenticated Records
  Every record issued through NAD is digitally signed and legally recognized across government and private sectors.
  
  

TruScholar + NAD: Making Credential Uploads Smarter and More Secure

TruScholar simplifies and enhances the process of academic record issuance with blockchain-secured certificates fully compliant with NAD, DigiLocker, and NEP 2020 standards.

How TruScholar Adds Value to the NAD Upload Process:

• Automates the upload and formatting of large batches of certificates for NAD-compliant issuance.
  
  

• Issues tamper-proof, blockchain-verified records that integrate with DigiLocker for real-time access.
  
  

• Supports modular programs and micro-credentials aligned with modern, skill-based education models.
  
  

• Reduces the need for manual uploads and improves record management through dashboard-based control and tracking.

Final Thoughts on How to Upload Certificate & Awards in the NAD Depository

Knowing how to upload certificate & awards in the NAD depository is critical for any academic institution that wants to future-proof its credentialing system. It builds credibility, reduces fraud, and empowers students with digital-first records they can trust and use anywhere.

As India's education system continues to embrace digital transformation, NAD becomes a key pillar. Partnering with platforms like TruScholar makes the transition faster, more secure, and globally scalable for every institution ready to lead in the digital age.