National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) (An Autonomous Institution of the University Grants Commission) P.O. Box. No. 1073, Nagarbhavi, Bangalore - 560 072 Date: 02-11-2021 NOTIFICATION NAAC insists on the registration of Degree awarding Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with National Academic Depository (NAD). A question regarding the same will be introduced in the Institutional Information on Quality Assurance (IQA) application. We advise you to register in the National Academic Depository (www .nad.gov.in) portal at the earliest. Sd/- Director, NAAC Enclosers: 1. University Grant Commission (UGC) order Dated 14! July 2021. 2. Ministry Order Dated 8'* March 2021. 3. Brochure of National Academic Depository (NAD).fasafaerea sige sar University Grants Commission (fren area, ava Arar) etna eye en (Ministry of Eduction, Govt. of Inia) amergrare are Mt, = feft-110002 a ph a Schade Shoh Zafar Morg, New ei! 10002 Ph 011-23236288/23299297 Prof. Rajnish Jain Fox : 011-2323 8858 Secretary E-mail: secyuge@nicin D.O.No.F. 1-46/2020(NAD/Digilocker) July, 2021, (4 JUL 20a Subject: Implementation of National Academic Depository (NAD) - regarding Dear Madam/Sir, As you are aware that National Academic Depository (NAD) was launched on 9" July 2017, which is an online storehouse of academic awards (Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates, Mark- Sheets, etc.) lodged by the Academic Institutions in a digital format. It is a 24x7 online mode for making available academic awards and shall help in validating their authenticity, their safe storage, and easy retrieval The Ministry of Education (MoE) vide its letter F.No.8-2/2019-U.Policy dated 18.03.2020 has designated the University Grants Commission (UGC) as an authorized body to implement National Academic Depository (NAD) as a permanent scheme without levy of any user charges in co-operation with the DigiLocker as a single depository of NAD. Many Academic Institutions including various Universities, Central Higher Educational Institutions, School Boards etc., are uploading their academic awards on NAD through DigiLocker-NAD platform. Also, many users are using NAD services through DigiLocker for accessing their academic awards online and verification seeking entities are also using NAD services through DigiLocker for verification of academic awards. To enhance the reach of the NAD programme, All Academic Institutions (i.e. Universities/ lITs/ NITs/ IIITs/ IISERs/ IIMs/ AllMSs/ NIPERs/ NIDs/ School Boards/ eligible assessment bodies) are requested to do the following: © Register their Academic Institutions on NAD through DigiLocker-NAD platform. ‘© Upload / Link their institution's academic award data with Digilocker-NAD. © Advise their students to register on DigiLocker and access their awards. * Create a hyperlink of NAD URL i.e. https://nad.gov.in/ in their respective websites. * Depute Nodal Officers and set up a NAD cell for implementation of NAD and reflect their details on their websites. * Create awareness about NAD among the student through Video/Audio/Poster of NAD on their social media platforms. Video/Audio in 11 languages & Poster are available on NAD website (https://nad.gov.in/nadMultimedia.htm!).2 The realization and effectiveness of NAD depends upon how quickly all academic institution, students and verification seeking entities get registered with it and start accessing the NAD system. |, therefore, request your personal intervention to ensure that your academic institution ‘comes on board with NAD and all academic awards are lodged digitally. With kind regards, Yours sincerely (Rajnish Jain) To All the Vice-Chancellors/DirectorsMOST-URGENT F.No 8-2/2019-U.Policy Government of India Ministry of Human Resource Development Department of Higher Education (U.Policy Section) 537/C, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi Dated: March, 2020 To The Secretary University Grants Commission Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg Delhi-110002 Subject: Implementation of National Academic Depository (NAD) -regarding Sir, The Government of India is committed in bringing the administrative and academic reform through the use of technology for delivery of efficient services to all stakeholders. Education engages with almost every citizen of the country and the Government is keen to create quality infrastructure that will facilitate delivery of services to citizens and will also facilitate academic institutions in performing their core functions. A step in this direction was the launch of the National Academic Depository (NAD) by the Hon'ble President of India on 9” July, 2017. 2. The Government in exercise of powers conferred under section 20(1) of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956 had designated UGC as the authorised implementing agency of NAD and was entrusted with the task of implementation of National Academic Depository (NAD) (vide this office letter No. 5-3/2016-U.Policy dated 31% October, 2016). In order to operationalise NAD, UGC (the authorised implementing agency) entered into a tripartite agreement with NSDL Database Management Limited (NDML) and CDSL Ventures Limited (CVL) on 22.11.2016 for a period of three years. 3. Since the launch of NAD, many academic institutions including various Central Universities, State Universities, Private Universities, Central Higher Educational Institutions, School Boards etc., are uploading their academic awards on NAD. Also, many students are using NAD for accessing their academic awards online and verification seeking entities are also using NAD for verification of academic awards. 4. The period of tripartite agreement signed between UGC, NDML and CVL has ended on 22.11.2019 and the following has been decided with regard to further implementation of NAD: () NAD shall not be implemented through NDML and CVL and to take necessary action in this regard.(ii) NAD to be implemented as a permanent scheme without levy of any user charges, by Digilocker through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) as a single entity. (iii) UGC to be authorised to implement NAD as a permanent scheme, in co- operation with the Digilocker. (iv) To undertake necessary action for delinking all applications currently using NAD portal through NDML and CVL and linking them through Digilocker. 5. _ In light of the above UGC may ensure the following: (i) The academic awards lodged on the portals of NDML and CVL are seamlessly transferred to NAD/Digilocker. (i) UGC the implementing body of NAD shall ensure its implementation through Digilocker, an entity owned by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. (iii) UGC may enter into a Memoradum of Understanding with Digilocker for smooth implementation of NAD clearly delineating the rights and responsibilities among them. However, both the Ministry of Human Resource Development and Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology may be kept informed in this regard. (iv) UGC to finalise various technical issues/various formats for uploading of academic awards/creation of student account, mapping of academic awards, procedure for verification etc in consultation with Digilocker. (¥) UGC to ensure that reports on various parameters such as registrations/academic award upload, verification completed are provided to the Ministry as and when called for by the Ministry. 6. _Inview of above, UGC is requested to kindly take necessary action accordingly for the smooth implementation of NAD. Stunt a denote. \s- aarale 20 (Sanjeev Kumar Narayan) Under Secretary to the Govt. of India Tele-01123381460 7. This issues with the approval of the competent authority. Copy to 14. Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology 2. President & CEO, Digilocker (Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology), Electronics Niketan, 6, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road-110003i ae Yera h p National Convention on Digital Initiatives for Higher Education Cran aPxolra Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi ~~ Vinee meu ecuNational Academic Depository (NAD) Background Academic institutions such as Universities, Institutions of National Importance and School Boards, issue academic awards to students including degrees, diplomas and certificates along with marksheets and evaluation reports at the secondary, higher secondary and higher education levels. Records maintained in papers and registers are liable to spoilage over a period of time due to moisture and heat. They are also susceptible to other hazards like fire and rain etc. Students often face difficulties in obtaining copies of their certificates/marksheets whenever they are lost or destroyed or when students want more copies in original. Retrieval of old records maintained in paper or registers is cumbersome. Maintaining academic awards in an electronic depository would provide benefit to educational institutions, students and employers by enabling online access of academic awards which will eliminate the need for persons to approach educational institutions for obtaining transcripts of such awards or marksheets for verification. It would also eliminate fraudulent practices such as forging of certificates and marksheets, by facilitating online verification thereof. The vision of National Academic Depository is born out of an initiative to provide an online store house of academic awards National Academic Depository (NAD) National Academic Depository (NAD) is a 24X7 online store house of all academic awards viz. certificates, diplomas, degrees, mark-sheets etc.duly digitised and lodged by academic institutions | boards / eligibility assessment bodies. NAD not only ensures easy access to and retrieval of an academic award but also validates and guarantees its authenticity and safe storage. Composition National Academic Depository comprises of two interoperable digital depositories viz. CDSL Ventures Limited (CVL) and NSDL Database Management Limited (NDML). These digital depositories have ensured hardware, network facilities and software of prescribed quality for smooth and secured operationalisation of NAD. Users of NAD > Students and other academic award holders > Academic Institutions/Boards/Eligibility assessment bodies > Verifying Entities i.e. banks, employer companies (domestic & overseas), Government entities, academic institutions/boards/eligibility assessment bodies (domestic and overseas) etc. Participants > Central Educational Institutions viz. Central Universities, Central Higher Educational Institutions and institutions empowered by an Act of Parliament to grant degrees, diploma etc. > State Universities, Deemed to be Universities and other Universities Certificate/Diploma and Degree awarding institutions set up under various other Ministries/ Departments of Government of India Institutions approved by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), State School Boards and other Boards Central eligibility test conducting bodies like UGC for National Eligibility Test (NET) and CBSE for Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) voy vvImplementation & Monitoring > The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has designated the University Grants Commission (UGC) as an authorised body to establish and operationalise NAD. Consequent upon such authorisation, UGC has entered into a tripartite agreement with CDSL Ventures Limited (CVL) and NSDL Database Management Limited (NDML) on behalf of all Central Higher Educational Institutions (CHE!s), Institutions of National Importance (INIs), Boards. > The tripartite agreement authorises CVL and NDML for offering their services to the academic institutions / boards / eligibility assessment bodies for establishing and operating the NAD, initially for a period of three years. > The academic institutions / boards / eligibility assessment bodies will be free to select either of the two depositories for entering into legally enforceable agreement between them and the selected depository. Lodging, access, retrieval and validation of academic awards in the NAD will be primarily on the strength of that agreement. > The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development has set up a National Steering Committee (NSC) — an inter-ministerial forum comprising, inter-alia, various Ministries/Departments of Government of India. The NSC oversees, at regular interval, the launch and implementation of the project of NAD. v Features and Functions of NAD » Several services like lodging, maintenance, access, verification and authentication of academic awards in a digital format are provided through NAD. > Academic Institutions / Boards / Eligibility Assessment Bodies are responsible for the authenticity of the data as lodged in NAD while the depositories are to ensure data integrity. > Users viz. Academic Institutions / Boards / Eligibility Assessment Bodies, students and verifying entities register into the system to avail benefits of NAD. > Aadhaar is used as an identifier for registration and usage. In case of non-availability of Aadhaar, a unique NAD ID is used. > Digital and authenticated copy of academic awards with prescribed security features is provided to a student and/or any verifier duly authorised by the student concerned. > Aperson requiring verification and authentication of any specific academic award in the NAD may apply online after due registration upon payment of prescribed user charges. Online verification requests of academic awards are honoured the same day and not later than 24 hours. > The digital depositories are fully inter-operable so as to guarantee error-free and safe maintenance of academic awards within a unified system of NAD. The inter-operability not only eliminates multiple lodging of a single academic award in the system, but also facilitates seamless and real-time travel of data between two depositories within the system of NAD. > NAD maintains the authenticity, integrity and confidentiality of the award database. Benefits > NAD provides a 24X7 available online system for lodging, retrieval, authentication and verification of academic awards in digital format for the students, academic institutions / boards / eligibility assessment bodies and verifying users. > Italso provides an academic award database for data analytics to the Governmentregulatory bodies/academic institutions. Electronic depository of academic awards enables educational institutions/ boards / eligibility assessment bodies, students and employers to access academic awards online thereby eliminating the need for persons to seek physical transcripts of such awards or marksheets for verification. It eliminates fraudulent practices viz. forging of certificates and marksheets by facilitating quick, hassle-free and online verifications. v vMajor Heads of Services and User Charge Ceilings S.No |[items! For Academic Institutions (Al) Registration 2. __ | Annual Maintenance Fee 3. | Initial Training 4. | Upload of awards data in specified format Mapping of award to the student's registered NAD. 5 | Account based on Aadhaar / NAD ID - as provided byAl/ Govt. Deptt / Statutory Bodies 6 _| Standard MIS reports 7 | Verification of academic awards For Student/Award Holders 8 _| Registration 9 | Viewing of Awards 10 | Annual Usage Fee 11 | Download of Academic AwardsFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) General: . Q: What is National Academic Depository (NAD)? Ans: National Academic Depository (NAD) is a 24X7 online store house of all academic awards viz.certificates, diplomas, degrees, mark-sheets etc.duly digitised and lodged by academic institutions / boards / eligibility assessment bodies. NAD not only ensures easy access to and retrieval of an academic award but also validates and guarantees its authenticity and safe storage. . Q: Who are the stake-holders in NAD? Ans: (a) Students & other academic award holders, (b) Academic Institutions/Boards/ Eligibility assessment bodies, (c) Verifying Entities i.e. banks, employer companies (domestic & overseas), Government entities, academic institutions/boards/eligibility assessment bodies (domestic and overseas) etc. . Q: How does NAD operate and who provides the Depository Services under NAD? Ans: NAD comprises of two inter-operable digital depositories i.e, CDSL Ventures Limited (CVL) and NSDL Database Management Limited (NDML). Several NAD services like lodging, access, verification and authentication of academic awards are provided through NAD in a digital format. Digital and authenticated copy of academic awards with prescribed security features is provided to a student and/or a verifier by either of the depositories. . Q: How do liwe register myself/ourselves in NAD? Ans: You can visit www.nad.govin to select either of the depositories for availing NAD services Students: . Q: Why should | register on NAD ? Ans: NAD provides a 24x7 digital online system for lodging, retrieval, authentication and verification of academic awards in digital format for the students and other NAD users. Students receive digital and authenticated copy of their academic awards with prescribed security features which are easily accepted by all users. A student by registering onto NAD can avail services like access, verification and authentication of its own academic awards in a digital format. . Q: How do I register myself in NAD? Ans: You can visit wow.nad.govin and select either of the two depositories to register as a student. You can use your Aadhaar ID or Unique ID to get registered onto NAD. . Q: Can | register myself in NAD if | do not have Aadhaar or my current mobile number is not seeded in my Aadhaar number? Ans: In such a case, you can visit Aadhaar enrolment centre and apply for Aadhaar or update your mobile number in your Aadhaar record. if you are still not able to enroll for Aadhaar or update your mobile number, you would be provided with a unique NAD ID. This NAD ID needs to be verified by an Academic Institution participating in NAD. . Q: Now my NAD account is created, how do | get access to my certificates 7Ans: NAD will make all academic awards lodged by participating Academic Institutions available in your online NAD account. You can access all of your certificates digitally placed in your account at all times. 5. Q: How do I know if my Academic Institutions are participating in NAD 7 Ans: NAD portal and depository websites will maintain a list of all Academic Institutions which are participating in NAD. For details please visit ww.nad.govin 6. Q: Would my digital certit etc.? ates available in NAD be widely accepted by employers Ans: Yes. 7. Q: Can | get printed copy of my digital certificates from NAD? Ans: Yes. 8. Q: Howis it ensured that digital certificates accurately reflect my records? Ans: Your academic institution is responsible for the authenticity of your award data. NAD maintains the authenticity, integrity and confidentiality of the academic award database. 9. Q: Who can access my NAD Certificates? Ans: NAD framework respects privacy of the data. Your certificates can be accessed only by you. Other verification users can also access your certificate record only after your consent and authorization. 40.Q: How do | come to know if some employer (verifier) requests for verification of my certificate? Ans: If some employer requests for a verification of your certificate record, NAD will notify you by sending an email / SMS on your registered details. 44.Q: Can | seed my Aadhaar number to an existing registration which was done using NAD 1D? Ans: Yes. 12.Q: How do | request Al to seed Aadhaar number / NAD ID to an award that is already uploaded by the Al in the NAD? ‘Ans: You have to approach the Al to seed your Aadhaar / NAD ID in your award data already uploaded on NAD. Al will facilitate seeding of Aadhaar/NAD ID into all of your awards digitally uploaded onto NAD. 13.Q: Can | request the NAD to share my award details to a verifier? Ans: Yes. 14.Q: What are the charges that | need to pay for NAD services 7 Ans: For details please visit wuwnad.govin 45.Q: Can I give my consent / disapproval without registering in NAD?Ans: No. You have to get registered with NAD to give consent/ disapproval for any verification request. 46.Q: What would happen if | do not accord approval / rejection within prescribed time? Ans: If you do not accord approval / rejection within reasonable time, the request is considered as infructuous and becomes ineffective. 17.Q: Can | shift my registration from one Depository to the other? Ans: Yes. 18.Q: | have awards from two or more Als. Can | allow verification only for some of the awards held by me? Ans: Yes. 49.Q: Can Student upload any award that is in his/her possession and share with Verifier? Ans: Student cannot upload award of this nature as only Al will be able to upload and lodge awards in NAD. The student can only ask NAD for retrieval of an existing award and share it with verifier. Academic Institutions (Als): 4. Q: Should we register with both the Depositories to upload our awards? Ans: NAD ensures that the data lodged with any one depository is automatically replicated on other Depository. The Students can also choose to register on any Depository irrespective of which Depository you choose to lodge his/her awards. Thus, it is advisable to get register with either of the depositories. 2. Q: What is the procedure for registering with NAD? Ans: You will be required to sign a Service Level Agreement with a Depository. The step wise registration procedure is available at wwnad.gowin 3. Q: What are the preparations we have to ensure before lodging the records in NAD? Ans: The responsibility for accuracy and authenticity of certificate records and identity of the students rests with you. Therefore, you need to ensure that certificate data is thoroughly verified and authorised persons lodge the records in NAD under their digital signatures. In order to create an institutional framework for operating NAD services, it is suggested that a Nodal NAD Cell be created in all Als and such cell ensures that various NAD functions are effectively executed. The Cell will be the nodal point of contact with the selected Depository and should comprise of officers with adequate technical knowledge. 4. Q: How do we identify the student to whom a certificate record belongs? Ans: While lodging the records in NAD you need to seed the Aadhaar / NAD ID of the student so that the certificates are mapped directly to students’ awards and securely made available to them. Seeding of Aadhaar / NAD ID can be facilitated by you or affiliated colleges of your institution 5. Q: Howis a certificate record uniquely identified in NAD?Ans: NAD will issue a unique NAD Certificate ID to each certificate record in NAD. . Q: Can we upload past awards in the Depository? Ans: Yes. . Q: Can we consent to verification of an award if the Student does not give his/her consent? Ans: No, consent will be given by the student only. However, consent from the student for sharing of the academic awards/data shall not be required in cases like verification sought by statutory bodies/constitutional bodies/investigating agencies during the course of any enquirylinvestigation . Q: Will we get any kind of MIS reports from NAD? Ans: Yes. Verifying Entities: . Q: How do we register on NAD? Ans: You can submit verifier registration form to either of the depositories to create users to use NAD. . Q: How do we submit verification request on NAD? Ans: This can be done online using your NAD User Log-In 1D. . Q: How much time would it take for us to verify the certificate? Ans: The certificate would be made available to you within 24 hours for verification after the student consent is received. . Q: Can we verify an award without the consent of the Student? Ans: No, . Q: What would happen if the Student does not accord approval within reasonable time? Ans: If the student does not accord approval within reasonable time, the request is dropped. You will be required to raise a fresh request, if you wish to verify the said award.NATIONAL ACADEMIC DEPOSITORY Transparency & Transformation Through Digitization University Grants Commission (UGC) [NSDL Database Mangement Lid (NDML) De Nina Ahmad Mir mn ‘Sh, Prashant Prachand / Ms. Pret Sanchet “Assistant Vice President E-mall: support-nadegoxin prashantdensdl.coin /preetisensdLcain Tek: O11 26041315 / 29212027 Address: Old CRS Buiing (1)on2 = 4918254142 Jawahar Nehru University Mobile +91 98203 08846 96650 20775. 1th Foor, D- Wing, Trade World Kamal Mils Compound, SenspatsBapat Marg, Lower Patel, Mum CCDSI. Ventures Lad (CL) Ms. Ame Shro Head- International Relations Email :nadedsinds com Website: itpstfev-nadcain (x1 90229 29092 (0 90229 29093, Address: J Towers, 17th Flor, Dalal Street, Mamba ~ 400 01