Bahirji Smarak Mahavidyalaya

Introduction

The National Academic Depository (NAD) is a flagship initiative of the Government of India, developed by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the University Grants Commission (UGC). NAD is a digital repository of academic awards, such as degrees, diplomas, certificates, and mark sheets, issued by academic institutions across India. The primary objective of NAD is to store academic credentials in a secure, digital, and verifiable format, thereby ensuring authenticity, transparency, and easy access to academic records for students, institutions, and employers. In alignment with the vision of Digital India and the regulatory framework of UGC, the National Academic Depository ensures authenticity, transparency, and long-term preservation of students’ academic records.

Objectives of NAD

The National Academic Depository has been established with the following key objectives:

• To digitally store academic awards issued by higher educational institutions.
• To eliminate the risk of fake or duplicate certificates.
• To provide anytime, anywhere access to academic credentials for students.
• To ensure secure online verification of academic records by employers, universities, and government agencies.
• To reduce the administrative burden related to issuing, verifying, and maintaining physical documents.
• To support the Government of India’s vision of Digital India and paperless governance.
• To digitally archive academic awards issued by Higher Educational Institutions.
• To prevent duplication, forgery, and manipulation of academic certificates.
• To provide anytime, anywhere access to academic records for students.
• To enable online and real-time verification of credentials by employers and institutions.
• To reduce dependency on physical documents and manual verification.
• To support transparent, paperless, and technology-driven academic governance.

Features of the National Academic Depository

1. Secure Digital Repository

NAD acts as a trusted and tamper-proof digital vault for academic awards. All records uploaded by institutions are securely stored and protected against unauthorized access.

2. Authentic and Verifiable Records

Only registered and recognized institutions are authorized to upload academic awards. Each record is digitally authenticated, ensuring 100% credibility and trust.

3. Student-Centric Access

Students can access their academic credentials online through NAD (now integrated with Academic Bank of Credits – ABC / DigiLocker ecosystem), download them, and share them securely whenever required.

4. Easy Verification

Employers, universities, and verification agencies can instantly verify academic credentials online, reducing delays in admissions, recruitment, and promotions.

5. Permanent Record Preservation

Academic awards stored in NAD are preserved permanently, protecting students from loss, damage, or misplacement of physical certificates.

Stakeholders of NAD

The National Academic Depository benefits multiple stakeholders:

• Students – Easy access, secure storage, and hassle-free sharing of academic credentials.
• Higher Educational Institutions – Reduced administrative workload and enhanced credibility.
• Employers – Quick and reliable verification of academic qualifications.
• Universities & Regulatory Bodies – Improved transparency and data integrity.
• Government Agencies – Streamlined verification for scholarships, employment, and higher studies.

The Role of the Institute

Bahirji Smarak Mahavidyalaya, Basmathnagar, affiliated to Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded, has adopted the National Academic Depository (NAD) framework as per UGC guidelines.

The college has taken the following steps for effective implementation:

• Registration and integration with the NAD / Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) ecosystem as prescribed by UGC.
• Digitization and uploading of students’ academic awards through the affiliating university system.
• Facilitation of student registration on NAD / DigiLocker platform for access to digital credentials.
• Coordination between the Examination Section, IQAC, and Administrative Office to ensure accuracy and confidentiality of academic data.
• Awareness creation among students regarding the importance and benefits of NAD through notices, guidance sessions, and counseling during admission and examination processes.
• Registering on the NAD/ABC platform as per UGC guidelines.
• Digitally uploading students’ academic awards such as Degrees, Mark sheets Certificates
• Ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and confidentiality of uploaded data.
• Creating awareness among students regarding the benefits and usage of NAD.

Role of IQAC in NAD Implementation

The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the college plays a proactive role in:

• Monitoring compliance with UGC and university guidelines related to NAD.
• Promoting digital best practices in academic administration.
• Ensuring timely dissemination of information to students regarding NAD registration and usage.
• Maintaining documentation related to NAD adoption for NAAC, AQAR, and audit purposes.

NAD and Digital India Initiative

The National Academic Depository is a significant component of the Digital India Mission, promoting:

• Paperless administration
• Digital empowerment of students
• Transparency in academic processes
• Technology-driven governance

By digitizing academic credentials, NAD contributes to building a knowledge-based and technology-enabled education ecosystem in India.

Benefits of NAD

• Prevents forgery and manipulation of academic certificates
• Saves time and cost for students and institutions
• Enhances global acceptance of Indian academic credentials
• Facilitates smooth admissions, employment, and verification processes
• Supports lifelong access to academic records

Benefits to Students and Stakeholders

Implementation of NAD provides the following benefits:

• Secure and permanent digital storage of academic credentials.
• Easy retrieval of certificates for higher education, employment, and scholarships.
• Hassle-free online verification by employers and institutions.
• Protection against loss or damage of physical certificates.

Enhanced national and international acceptance of academic records.

Conclusion

The National Academic Depository (NAD) represents a transformative step in India’s higher education system by ensuring secure, authentic, and easily accessible academic records. It empowers students, simplifies institutional processes, and strengthens trust among stakeholders. By adopting NAD, institutions actively contribute to transparency, efficiency, and the digital future of education in India.The National Academic Depository (NAD) is a significant step towards strengthening the integrity and accessibility of academic records. Through systematic implementation and IQAC monitoring, Bahirji Smarak Mahavidyalaya, Basmathnagar ensures compliance with UGC and NAAC expectations while enhancing student support services and institutional governance.