Short Answer
Before you can submit an NMIMS CDOE admission form, you need two free government-issued IDs: an Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) ID, created via DigiLocker using your Aadhaar, and a DEB ID (Distance Education Bureau Identification), created at deb.ugc.ac.in using that ABC ID. Create the ABC ID first - the DEB ID cannot be generated without it - and budget about 15-20 minutes for both.Why these two IDs exist
Under UGC rules, every learner in an Open, Distance Learning or Online programme must be uniquely identifiable and traceable to a UGC-DEB recognised institution before their admission form can be accepted. The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) ID stores and links a student's academic credits across institutions over their lifetime. The DEB ID confirms that a specific enrolment is happening against a UGC-DEB recognised programme. Together, they're the university-agnostic layer that sits underneath every online degree admission in India - not something specific to NMIMS CDOE, but required by every UGC-DEB entitled programme.
Step 1: Create your ABC ID via DigiLocker
- 1
Log in to DigiLocker
Go to digilocker.gov.in and sign in with your mobile number or Aadhaar number, then verify with the OTP sent to your registered mobile.
- 2
Search for the ABC document
Inside DigiLocker, go to Search Documents and type "Academic Bank of Credits (ABC Card)".
- 3
Fill in your details
Enter your name, date of birth, identity value (as per Aadhaar) and institution name exactly as they appear on your academic records, then select Get Document.
- 4
Find your ABC ID
Your ABC ID now appears under Issued Documents in DigiLocker - a 12-digit unique ID linking your academic credits across institutions.
Alternative route: you can also generate your ABC ID directly at abc.gov.in via My Account → Student Login, signing in with your DigiLocker credentials and selecting Generate ABC ID.
Step 2: Create your DEB ID
- 1
Keep your ABC ID ready
A DEB ID cannot be created without an existing ABC ID, so complete that step first.
- 2
Visit the DEB portal
Go to deb.ugc.ac.in and open the student registration section.
- 3
Register using your ABC ID
Complete the registration using your ABC ID and basic personal/academic details as prompted.
- 4
Receive your DEB ID
Once verified, you receive a DEB ID (Distance Education Bureau Identification) confirming you're enrolling in a UGC-DEB recognised ODL/online programme.
The single most common admission delay we see is a mismatch between the name, date of birth or institution name entered on the ABC ID and what appears on official academic certificates. Complete both IDs a few days before your intended application date, not the night before.
What happens after you have both IDs
With your ABC ID and DEB ID ready, you can proceed to the NMIMS CDOE admission form at online.nmims.edu, upload your academic and KYC documents, and pay the applicable fee - the same 4-step process we walk through on each programme page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Both are mandatory before an application can be submitted for any UGC-DEB recognised online or ODL programme, including NMIMS CDOE's. The ABC ID must be created first, since the DEB ID registration requires it.
No. Both the ABC ID (via DigiLocker) and the DEB ID (via deb.ugc.ac.in) are free government services. You should never need to pay anyone to create either ID for you.
Typically under 10 minutes if your Aadhaar and mobile number are already linked and you have your academic institution details on hand.
Mismatches between your ABC ID details and your academic documents are one of the most common causes of admission delays. Double-check spelling, date of birth and institution name before submitting, and correct any discrepancy before you apply.
No. The DEB ID is a UGC-level identifier confirming you're enrolling in a recognised ODL/online programme. Your university (NMIMS CDOE) will separately issue its own student/enrolment number once your admission is confirmed.
You create both yourself, since they require your personal Aadhaar-linked DigiLocker login. As your counselling partner, we can guide you through each screen, but the IDs are tied to your own identity and cannot be generated on your behalf.
Reviewed by the NMIMS Online Counselling Team
We're an Authorized NMIMS CDOE Enquiry Partner (AEP) - an independent counselling business, not NMIMS University or NMIMS CDOE itself. Portal steps and screens are set by DigiLocker and the UGC's DEB portal and may change - always follow the current on-screen instructions.