What is National Academic Depository (NAD): India’s Digital Vault for Academic Records. ৰাষ্ট্ৰীয় একাডেমিক ডিপজিটৰী

The Government of India created the National Academic Depository (NAD) to securely store and manage academic credentials online. This system allows educational institutions to upload official documents like degrees, diplomas, certificates, and mark sheets. Students can access and share their records digitally, while employers and institutions can verify them instantly through the NAD platform.

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What Is NAD?

The National Academic Depository (NAD) serves as a centralized digital platform where universities and colleges upload verified academic records. Students receive access to their documents anytime, anywhere, without needing physical copies. By offering verified, tamper-proof records, NAD helps eliminate fake credentials and speeds up the verification process.

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Key Features of NAD

• Provides 24/7 Access: Students can log in anytime to view or download their academic documents.
• Ensures Document Security: Institutions upload digitally signed and tamper-proof records.
• Uses DigiLocker Integration: DigiLocker powers NAD and grants legal validity to all stored documents.
• Limits Access to Authorized Institutions: Only UGC-recognized institutions can upload documents, ensuring reliability and trust.

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How NAD Benefits Stakeholders

Students:

• Students can access their academic records online without carrying physical documents.
• They can easily download and share certificates with employers, universities, or government agencies.
• They avoid risks of forgery, damage, or loss.

Educational Institutions:

• Institutions can upload, manage, and track records digitally, reducing paperwork and manual errors.
• They can automate the document issuance process and improve transparency.
• They enhance trust and credibility by offering digitally verified credentials.

Employers and Verifiers:

• Verifiers can instantly authenticate records with student permission.
• They can prevent fraudulent claims using verified data directly from institutions.
• They save time and reduce costs associated with manual verification.

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Governance and Timeline

• The Government introduced NAD in 2010, approved it in 2016, and launched it officially on July 9, 2017.
• The President of India inaugurated the platform during the official launch.
• Initially, NDML and CDSL managed NAD, but in March 2020, the Government transferred operations to DigiLocker, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• The University Grants Commission (UGC) continues to act as the nodal agency for NAD.

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How to Access Academic Documents Through NAD

1. Visit the official DigiLocker portal: https://www.digilocker.gov.in.
2. Create your account using your Aadhaar number and verify your mobile number.
3. Link your academic institution and retrieve your documents.
4. Download, save, or share your credentials securely from your DigiLocker dashboard.

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Why NAD Matters in a Digital India

The NAD platform empowers students, institutions, and verifiers by removing barriers related to physical documentation. It supports paperless governance, enhances transparency, and improves access to reliable credentials. By digitizing academic records, NAD strengthens trust in India’s education system and aligns with the country’s Digital India initiative.

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