What Is an Academic Bank Account? A Student’s Digital Passport to Lifelong Learning

If you’ve ever asked what is an academic bank account, here’s the simple answer: it’s a digital account created for every student under the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) system, where all their earned academic credits are stored securely and centrally. Think of it as a digital locker, but for your academic progress.

This system, introduced through India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, enables students to collect credits earned from recognized colleges and universities and redeem them over time for diplomas or degrees—even across different institutions or years.

How an Academic Bank Account Works in the Credit System

Every student who registers with the ABC platform via DigiLocker is issued a unique 12-digit ABC ID, which acts as their academic bank account number. Once this ID is generated, all credits earned through UGC-recognized, ABC-integrated institutions are deposited into this account.

These credits include coursework, electives, vocational training, online modules, and any other approved learning units. If the student transfers to another institution or returns after a break, the new or current institution can access their verified credit record from this digital account and continue their academic journey without disruption.

The academic bank account ensures a standardized, verified, and portable record of academic learning that belongs to the student—not the institution.

Why Academic Bank Accounts Empower Student-Centric Education

Academic bank accounts are a core part of India’s shift toward flexible and personalized higher education. They allow students to pause and resume education, change institutions, or pursue multidisciplinary courses, all while keeping their credits secure and recognized.

This eliminates the risk of lost transcripts or repeated subjects when changing colleges. It also supports alternative learning paths, where a student can earn a diploma early, gain work experience, and return later to complete a degree using previously stored credits.

The academic bank account is more than a tracking tool—it’s a new model for lifelong learning that empowers students with digital ownership of their academic progress.