What Is an ABC Account and Why It Matters for Students Today

An ABC account, or Academic Bank of Credits account, is a digital repository that allows students to store, track, and transfer academic credits across multiple institutions and programs in India.

Launched under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the ABC system supports flexible learning by enabling students to earn credits from recognized universities, online platforms, and vocational programs. The credits are stored in a government-verified account, linked to the student’s APAAR ID and DigiLocker, and can be redeemed anytime toward degree, diploma, or certification completion.

Who Can Avail the Facility of ABC Account?

The ABC account is open to a broad group of learners and institutions participating in India’s formal, online, or vocational education ecosystem under UGC, AICTE, or similar regulatory frameworks.

Let’s explore in detail who can avail the facility of ABC account, and how each type of student or institution benefits from it.

1. Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students

Students pursuing formal degree programs such as BA, BSc, BCom, B.Tech, MA, MSc, or MBA in UGC/AICTE-approved universities and colleges are eligible to open an ABC account.These students can earn credits semester-wise and store them in their ABC account. If they switch colleges or temporarily pause their education, the stored credits remain valid and transferable, supporting course completion or credit redemption at any future time.

2. Polytechnic and Diploma Students

Learners enrolled in diploma or polytechnic courses across engineering, pharmacy, design, or allied sciences under recognized boards or councils are also eligible for ABC accounts.They can earn credits module-wise, especially in skill-intensive programs, and use their ABC account to track progress, transfer into degree programs, or receive recognition for their completed coursework.

3. Skill Development and Vocational Learners

Students undergoing vocational training under NSDC, Skill India, or Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) can also use ABC accounts to store their certified credits.This enables recognition of skills through formal frameworks, and such credits can be used for lateral entry into higher education or bridge programs, making skill-based education more valuable and traceable.

4. Online Course Participants (SWAYAM, NPTEL, etc.)

Learners who complete online courses through government-approved platforms like SWAYAM, NPTEL, or MOOCs recognized by UGC are eligible to have their credits recorded in the ABC account.This ensures that students who prefer hybrid or online learning methods can still earn credits, redeem them toward university programs, and be part of mainstream higher education pathways.

5. Dropout Students Rejoining Education

Students who paused or dropped out of education due to personal or financial reasons can resume learning by using their ABC account to redeem previously earned credits and continue from where they left off.This facility supports the multi-entry and multi-exit system under NEP 2020, making education more inclusive and accessible to non-linear learners.

6. Institutions Recognized by UGC/AICTE/NAAC

Only institutions approved by regulatory bodies like UGC, AICTE, NAAC, or equivalent must participate in the ABC framework to upload, issue, and verify academic credits for their enrolled students.These institutions are responsible for registering on the ABC portal, issuing credits semester-wise or course-wise, and supporting students in their modular learning journey.

Why Opening an ABC Account Is Important for All Eligible Learners

The ABC account acts as a permanent academic wallet, recording and preserving verified learning outcomes that students can access and use anytime across programs and institutions.

Whether a student transfers to another college, resumes studies after a gap, or shifts from online to offline education, the ABC account ensures no credit is wasted. It supports academic mobility, lifelong learning, and the ability to stack diverse learning experiences into degrees or certifications.

What Information Is Needed to Open an ABC Account

To create an ABC account, students must have the following:

• Aadhaar-linked mobile number

• Active DigiLocker account

• Enrollment in a recognized academic or skill institution

• APAAR ID (automatically generated during registration)

Once registered at www.abc.gov.in, students receive a unique ABC ID and can begin earning and storing credits immediately.

Benefits of ABC Account for Eligible Students

• Track all academic credits in one place across institutions and courses

• Transfer credits easily during course or college migration

• Resume education without repeating courses by using stored credits

• Access verified, digitally signed documents anytime through DigiLocker

• Participate in flexible, modular learning systems under NEP 2020

These benefits make the ABC account a critical asset for students aiming to build a customized, efficient, and transparent academic journey.

How TruScholar Supports ABC Integration for Institutions

TruScholar helps institutions issue blockchain-secured academic credentials that directly link to students’ ABC accounts. These digital certificates are tamper-proof, verified, and compatible with APAAR and DigiLocker.

Institutions using TruScholar can automate credit issuance, improve compliance with ABC guidelines, and provide students with a secure academic identity that grows with them through every stage of education.

What Students Should Do to Activate and Use Their ABC Account

• Create a DigiLocker account linked to your Aadhaar number and mobile phone

• Visit the ABC portal and register as a student using your DigiLocker credentials

• Get your ABC ID and share it with your institution so your credits can be uploaded correctly

• Track your credit accumulation semester-wise and redeem credits when transferring or rejoining studies

• Use your ABC account to apply for degree completion, advanced standing, or scholarship eligibility

ABC Account: An Education Passport for Every Indian Student

Understanding who can avail the facility of ABC account reveals how inclusive and forward-looking India’s education system has become. From engineering undergrads to vocational trainees and online learners, everyone has access to a verified academic record system that supports growth and lifelong learning.