An ABC ID is your personal account number in the Academic Bank of Credits, the national digital system that stores the academic credits you earn. If you plan to join an online or distance degree, you need it first: the UGC Distance Education Bureau does not let you create a DEB ID without an ABC ID. You can make one free on DigiLocker in a few minutes.
Last updated: October 2026
What is ABC ID and what does ABC stand for?
ABC stands for Academic Bank of Credits. The Ministry of Education describes it as a digital platform for storing, managing, transferring and redeeming academic credits earned at recognised institutions, with the UGC as its regulator. Think of it as a bank account for your learning: each course you complete deposits credits, and those credits can later count towards a certificate, diploma or degree.
Your ABC ID is the number that identifies your account. It is what a university, and the DEB portal, uses to find your record. If you searched for abc id kya hai, the short answer is: it is your student ID in the national credit system, linked to your Aadhaar through DigiLocker.
Is APAAR ID and ABC ID the same?
For practical purposes, yes. A Government of India factsheet published in July 2026 describes APAAR as a unique 12-digit student ID linked to the ABC system, and notes that the ABC ID was renamed as the APAAR ID. On DigiLocker you will still see the document listed as "APAAR/ABC ID Card". If your school already generated an APAAR ID, you may already have what you need. Check your DigiLocker Issued Documents before creating anything new.
The same factsheet reports that, as of 2 July 2026, 26.35 crore verified APAAR IDs had been generated and 2,899 higher education institutions were registered on the platform. You can read it on the Press Information Bureau website.
Why you need an ABC ID for an online or distance degree
UGC's rule for open, distance and online programmes works in a fixed order. A learner must have a DEB ID before enrolling, and the DEB portal says plainly that a DEB ID cannot be created without an ABC ID. So the chain is: DigiLocker account, then ABC ID, then DEB ID, then admission. The rule applies to all learners except foreign nationals, for whom the mechanism was still pending in UGC's notice.
We explain the second step in our guide to the DEB ID and how to create it. Do both before the admission deadline, not on the last day, because a name or date of birth mismatch can hold you up for days.
How to create an ABC ID on DigiLocker, step by step
Create or open your DigiLocker account using your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and OTP, and set the 6-digit security PIN.
Search for "Academic Bank of Credits" in DigiLocker and choose the APAAR/ABC ID Card option.
Enter the details asked: your name, date of birth, the institution or school you studied at, and your course or admission details.
Tick the consent box that allows DigiLocker to share your Aadhaar details with the Academic Bank of Credits.
Click Get Document. Your ID is generated and the PDF appears under Issued Documents in DigiLocker.
Download it and save the number. You will need it for the DEB portal and for the university admission form.
You can also register as a student directly on abc.gov.in. The route does not change the outcome: the ID is tied to your Aadhaar and shows up in DigiLocker either way.
Common ABC ID problems and how to avoid them
Name or date of birth does not match: the details come from your Aadhaar record, so fix the mismatch at the source before you apply for the DEB ID. Our guide to DEB ID covers the DEB side of this.
Mobile number not linked to Aadhaar: DigiLocker sends the OTP to that number, so update it first.
Creating a second ID: if one already exists in DigiLocker, use it.
Sharing your OTP or login with an agent: apply yourself on the official portals. No genuine university needs your OTP.
What an ABC ID does for you after admission
Credits you earn are stored in your account. Under the Ministry of Education's guidelines, credits stay valid for a maximum of seven years, or as specified by the ABC, and when you collect a certificate, diploma or degree the credits used are debited from the account. This is what makes multiple entry and exit possible: a student who leaves after year one can, in principle, return later and continue, if the institutions involved take part in the scheme.
Do not treat the ABC ID as proof that a university or programme is recognised. It only identifies you. Before paying any fee, confirm that the institution and programme are approved for online or distance delivery, as we explain in is an online degree valid in India. If you are still choosing between modes, read distance education vs online education.
After your ABC ID: pick the programme
Once your ABC ID and DEB ID are ready, you can shortlist programmes with confidence. Common starting points are the online BBA for commerce and management, the online BCA for computing (see its fees and eligibility), and online programmes from universities such as Manipal University Online. Fees change each intake, so confirm the current figure on the university's admission page.
Frequently asked questions
What is ABC ID?
It is your account number in the Academic Bank of Credits, a UGC-regulated digital system for storing and transferring academic credits. You generate it through DigiLocker using your Aadhaar details.
What is the ABC ID full form?
ABC stands for Academic Bank of Credits, so ABC ID means the ID of your Academic Bank of Credits account.
Is ABC ID mandatory for college admission?
For online and distance programmes, effectively yes, because the DEB ID is mandatory and cannot be created without an ABC ID. For regular programmes, rules vary by university, so check the admission notice of the institution you are applying to.
Is APAAR ID and ABC ID the same?
Government material from July 2026 describes APAAR as the 12-digit ID linked to the ABC system, and says the ABC ID was renamed as the APAAR ID. Check DigiLocker for an existing APAAR/ABC ID card before making a new one.
How long are ABC credits valid?
The Ministry of Education's guidelines give a maximum validity of seven years, or as specified by the ABC. Check the current rule on the ABC portal if you are planning a long break.
Get personalised college recommendations based on your profile.
Compare placements, cut-offs, and fees across 400+ colleges — for free.
Explore Colleges →