UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Academic Bank of Credits and APAAR

Q1. With reference to the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), consider the following activities. Which of the above is/are correctly identified as core functions performed by the ABC?

  1. Storing academic credits earned by students
  2. Transferring academic credits between recognised institutions
  3. Awarding degrees directly to students
  4. Redeeming accumulated academic credits
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. Consider the following statements that contrast the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) with degree-awarding institutions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The ABC stores and transfers credits but does not itself award degrees, which remains the function of recognised institutions.
  2. Credits deposited in the ABC remain valid indefinitely, unlike the fixed validity of a single academic year.
  3. The ABC is regulated by the University Grants Commission under the Ministry of Education.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to the APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) ID, consider the following descriptions. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It is a unique 12-digit student ID.
  2. It is accessible through DigiLocker.
  3. It consolidates a learner's records across school education, higher education and skill development.
  4. It is issued only to higher education students enrolled in universities.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q4. The APAAR ID consolidates a learner's records across several domains. Which one of the following is NOT correctly identified as a category of records consolidated under APAAR?

  1. School education records
  2. Higher education records
  3. Skill development records
  4. Income-tax payment records
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4

Q5. Under the Multiple Entry and Exit (MEE) framework tracked via the ABC, certain awards are granted at defined exit points. Which one of the following is NOT correctly identified as such an exit award?

  1. Certificate on exit after completing 1 year
  2. Diploma on exit after completing 2 years
  3. Bachelor's degree on completing 3 or 4 years
  4. Doctoral degree on exit after completing 5 years
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the Multiple Entry and Exit (MEE) framework in Indian higher education. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. More universities currently offer multiple entry than offer multiple exit.
  2. A student exiting after one year of an undergraduate programme receives a Certificate, while exiting after two years gives a Diploma.
  3. The MEE framework applies only to undergraduate students and not to postgraduate students.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. Consider the following statements about the National Credit Framework (NCrF) as compared with stream-specific qualification frameworks. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The NCrF integrates credits earned through school, higher and vocational education, unlike frameworks confined to a single stream.
  2. Under the NCrF, one credit is equal to 30 notional learning hours.
  3. The NCrF assigns credits differently depending on whether the learning is academic or vocational.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. The National Credit Framework (NCrF) seamlessly integrates several qualification frameworks. Which one of the following is NOT correctly identified as a framework encompassed by the NCrF?

  1. National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF)
  2. National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)
  3. National School Education Qualifications Framework (NSEQF)
  4. National Digital Education Qualifications Framework (NDEQF)
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4

Q9. Which one of the following bodies mandated all Higher Education Institutions to upload student credit data on the Academic Bank of Credits portal by 30 June 2026?

  • A. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
  • B. University Grants Commission (UGC)
  • C. National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET)
  • D. National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)

Q10. Consider the following statements regarding consent and data linkage in the ABC/APAAR ecosystem. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. For minor students, generating an APAAR ID requires verifiable parental consent under the DPDP Act, 2023.
  2. Document sharing through the Academic Bank of Credits is consent-based.
  3. The APAAR ID can be generated without any linkage to Aadhaar.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. Within the Academic Bank of Credits governed by the UGC, deposited academic credits remain valid for a maximum of how many years, unless a longer duration is prescribed by the relevant discipline?

  • A. 5 years
  • B. 7 years
  • C. 10 years
  • D. 3 years

Q12. As of June 2026, reflecting the mass-scale rollout aimed at lifelong learning and equitable access, approximately how many APAAR IDs had been generated nationwide?

  • A. 13.74 crore
  • B. 23.74 crore
  • C. 33.74 crore
  • D. 43.74 crore