Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) framework, proposed in the National Education Policy 2020 was introduced in July 2021.  It is meant to be mandatory for all the Indian HEIs but for now it has been left to the institutions to adopt at the time of their choice. 

It started with higher education institutions to register for ABC if they had received ‘A’ grade from the Indian accreditation body called the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) or are in the top 100 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings.  

However, with the latest amendment released for this new system, there is a clear push to accelerate its implementation.  The recent announcement states that any university or college, irrespective of ranking, can participate and register to come under the ABC framework. This will include both central and state universities, deemed-to-be universities, and autonomous institutions. So far, 40 Central Universities have decided to adopt the framework 

The ABC framework is a digital repository of credits earned by students. It allows students to switch between institutions, and there is flexibility in timelines in completing degree with multiple entry and exit while pursuing a degree. A student is required to pursue at least 50 per cent of the credits from the institution where enrolled.  This part makes up the core papers. For the other half which comprise non-core or elective subjects, the student can choose any other institution, or a mix of institutions registered with the ABC framework. The entire elective section can be pursued from another institution, online or offline or a mix of both. 

British Council comments:  This is quite a big shift in the way a degree/diploma programme is delivered in India.  Hence, it is but natural that the Indian higher education sector and community is divided in their views about the ABC approach.  One school of thought is that this will promote trade and commercialisation and impact the higher education sector in adverse ways, with corrupt and dubious practices, and even more so in the absence of common criteria and standards of assessment.  There is also a view that this would impact the teacher’s role.

On the other hand, enthusiasts opine that the new approach will be more student centric and will promote lifelong learning in full time and part-time modes.  Students will be able to accumulate credits, transfer and redeem in obtaining their academic degree. 

The flexibility in the system to pick credits from different institutions would no doubt drive mobility amongst students to move between institutions in the country as well as overseas.  The model also seems similar to the UK’s Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme which is used by many universities in the UK to which monitor, record and reward passage through modular degree courses and to facilitate movement between courses and institutions.  In the days to come when the ABC system fully rolls out, it will be interesting to see compatibility between the two systems and how it could support mobility of students between the two countries.

If you have any questions, please write to Sandeepa Sahay

Read more at:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-brings-all-higher-education-institutions-on-abc-platform-101642185789999.html  

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/academic-bank-of-credits-intended-to-promote-trade-and-commercialisation-in-higher-education-sector-rajan-gurukkal/article35781657.ece

https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/iits-iims-brought-under-academic-bank-of-credit-framework/cid/1847192