Verified means the point was checked on an official source on 23 October 2026. Anything we could not confirm is said plainly instead of guessed. OpenStudyInfo is an independent student-information website and is not linked to the University of Delhi, DU SOL/CDOE, UGC, UGC-DEB, DigiLocker or APAAR. The official portal or notice is always final.
Verified On 23 October 2026, the DU SOL admission portal showed UG Admissions 2026–27 CLOSED and PG Admissions 2026–27 CLOSED, and news reports put the last date at 13 October 2026. So this guide is written for three groups: students fixing a pending ID problem, continuing students keeping their records correct, and anyone preparing for a future session.
If you are new to the institution and its names, our DU SOL full form guide explains the SOL and CDOE naming.
⚡ Quick Answer: ABC ID vs DEB ID
- ABC ID: your 12-digit Academic Bank of Credits ID, which stores the credits you earn. It is now also called the APAAR ID.
- DEB ID: a unique learner ID from the UGC-DEB portal. It confirms you are joining a UGC-recognised distance or online programme.
- Are they the same? No. The DEB ID is generated from your ABC ID, so you need the ABC ID first.
- Needed for DU SOL? UGC-DEB makes the DEB ID compulsory for ODL admission, and a DEB ID cannot be made without an ABC ID.
- Do this first: check DigiLocker for an existing APAAR/ABC ID. Many students already received one at school, and a second ID creates problems later.
📋 Quick Facts Table
| Item | What it is and where it is made | When a DU SOL student needs it |
|---|---|---|
| ABC / APAAR ID | A 12-digit academic credit ID that stores and transfers your credits. Made on DigiLocker or abc.gov.in. | Before the DEB ID, and right through the course |
| DEB ID | A learner ID for ODL and online programmes that confirms admission to a recognised programme. Made on deb.ugc.ac.in/StudentDEBId. | During the DU SOL application |
| SOL Roll No. / Control No. | DU SOL’s own login details for the admission portal and dashboard. Issued by DU SOL. | After registering with DU SOL |
🏦 What Is an ABC ID?
The Academic Bank of Credits works like a bank account for credits instead of money. When you pass a course, your institution uploads the credits against your ID. If you change institution or take a break, the credits stay with you.
Verified A Government of India Press Information Bureau factsheet on the Academic Bank of Credits carries the note “ABC ID (Renamed as APAAR ID)”, and describes APAAR as the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry: one 12-digit academic identity under the “One Nation, One Student ID” idea. That is why different portals say “ABC ID”, “APAAR ID” or “APAAR/ABC ID”. All three mean the same number.
The ID is linked to your Aadhaar-linked DigiLocker account, so your name, date of birth and gender are pulled from those records. Most ID errors start right here, which is why the next sections keep coming back to spelling and dates.
🎓 What Is a DEB ID?
DEB is the Distance Education Bureau of the University Grants Commission. The UGC-DEB portal and its FAQs set out four points:
- You cannot enrol in an ODL or online programme without a valid DEB ID.
- You cannot create a DEB ID without an ABC ID.
- You create it only once, and it stays valid for your whole ODL or online learning journey.
- It covers two programmes taken at the same time, where UGC regulations allow this.
Verified UGC applied this requirement from the 2024–25 session onwards, and foreign learners are excluded.
⚖️ ABC ID vs DEB ID vs APAAR ID
ABC and APAAR are one ID with two names, so the real comparison is only between two things:
| Point | ABC ID (also called APAAR ID) | DEB ID |
|---|---|---|
| Is it a separate number? | ABC and APAAR are the same 12-digit number | Yes, a different number built from your ABC ID |
| Created on | DigiLocker or abc.gov.in. Schools may generate it too. | deb.ugc.ac.in |
| Main purpose | Credit storage and transfer, and one academic identity from school onwards | Confirms admission to a recognised ODL or online programme |
| Who needs it | All students, and every higher education student | ODL and online learners, except foreign learners |
❓ Is ABC ID or DEB ID Required for DU SOL Admission?
What is officially confirmed
- Verified UGC-DEB states that a DEB ID is mandatory for ODL and online enrolment and must be created using an ABC ID.
- The DU SOL UG admission portal describes its admission last date as decided by DEB-UGC, which was 13 October 2026 for the August 2026 session.
- Verified The DEB ID instruction sheet circulated to ODL institutions says the application is submitted only after the DEB ID is validated, and that you should use the same email and mobile number you used for the DEB ID. The same wording appears on the DU SOL UG admission portal and on other university sites, including IGNOU’s official DEB ID sheet.
What depends on the course or the year
- Skill courses and foreign language courses use separate portals. We found no official statement on whether they ask for a DEB ID, so follow that portal’s own instructions.
- Requirements can change from one session to the next, so always check that year’s prospectus rather than an old guide.
What is not officially confirmed
- We found no DU SOL notice asking students admitted before 2024–25 to create a DEB ID now.
🪪 How to Create an ABC ID (APAAR ID)
Before you start, keep your Aadhaar handy along with the mobile number linked to it, because the OTPs go there.
Log in to DigiLocker and open Issued Documents. If an APAAR/ABC ID card is already there, note the 12-digit number and skip straight to the DEB ID steps. Creating a second ID is one of the hardest problems to undo.
- Open digilocker.gov.in or the DigiLocker app.
- Click Sign In, or Sign Up with your Aadhaar-linked mobile number if you are new.
- Go to Search Documents and search for “APAAR” or “Academic Bank of Credits”.
- Select the APAAR/ABC ID card option.
- Fill in the fields shown on screen, such as admission year, identity type or institution. These vary slightly between users.
- Tick the consent box and click Get Document.
- Download the card from Issued Documents and save a screenshot.
The Academic Bank of Credits website at abc.gov.in links to the same DigiLocker process and has a video tutorial. If the website will not load, try the app, or the other way round.
🧾 How to Create a DEB ID on the UGC-DEB Portal
Many older guides tell you to click “Registration”, then “Student Registration”. That is not what the portal shows any more. Verified On 23 October 2026, the portal had two main buttons, Get Your DEB ID and Update Your DEB Details, plus navigation tabs for About DEB ID, Recognised Programmes, FAQs and Contact Us.
Open the portal
Go to deb.ugc.ac.in/StudentDEBId and choose Get Your DEB ID.
Enter your ABC ID
Type your 12-digit number in the ABC ID field.
Fill the verification fields
The form asks for Aadhaar Name, Year of Birth, Gender, Consent Given by, Provider Name, Provider Authentication Mode, Provider Authentication ID No., Consent Relation, Consent Place and a captcha.
Check the review panel
It shows your ABC ID, name, gender, date of birth, email and mobile, with the DEB ID as Not Yet Created. Read every line before you go on.
Agree and submit
Tick I Agree and submit the form.
Save your DEB ID
The result shows your name, gender, date of birth, DEB Unique ID, university name and course name. Note the number and take a screenshot.
Verified The portal carries a section called “Steps to Correct APAAR/ABC Card Before Creating DEB ID”. It tells learners to check the card for errors, fix them through ABC support, and only then create the DEB ID. If you already have a DEB ID with wrong details, correct the ABC record first and then use the Update Your DEB Details option.
The Recognised Programmes link on the same portal lets you confirm that a programme is UGC-approved before you pay any fee. It is worth two minutes of your time, and recognition is also what makes the degree usable later, as we explain in our guide on whether a DU SOL degree is valid for government jobs.
📝 How to Enter Your ID in the DU SOL Application
The UG portal is ugadmission.oldcdu.ac.in and the PG portal is pgadmission.oldcdu.ac.in, and PG applicants should first check the DU SOL PG courses list to be sure the programme they want is actually offered. New registration for 2026–27 is closed, so we could not recheck this year’s exact field label. Whatever it is called, these checks still apply:
- Create the DEB ID before you open the form.
- Use the same email address and mobile number in the form as in your DEB record.
- Type the IDs exactly as shown, with no spaces or dashes.
- Check that your name and date of birth match your Aadhaar, your ABC record and your Class 12 marksheet.
- Wait for validation before you pay.
Do not enter another person’s ABC or DEB ID, not even a sibling’s. The ID is tied to their Aadhaar, so your admission and your credits would be recorded against the wrong person.
🛠️ Common Errors and How to Fix Them
| Problem | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ABC ID not found | A typo, or the ID is not fully generated | Copy the number straight from the APAAR card PDF instead of typing it. Do not create a second ABC ID. |
| 2 DEB ID invalid or not found | A typo, or the DEB ID was never created | Enter your ABC ID on the DEB portal and check what status it shows. Never use a number from someone else’s screenshot. |
| 3 Name mismatch | Aadhaar, ABC and marksheet spellings differ | Fix the ABC record first, then use Update Your DEB Details. Do not change your name in the form to match a wrong record. |
| 4 Date of birth mismatch | The same spelling or data problem as above | Compare all three records and correct the one that is wrong at source. Do not enter a date that differs from your Aadhaar. |
| 5 OTP not arriving | The mobile is not Aadhaar-linked, or the network is slow | Wait a few minutes and check that you are using the linked number. Never share an OTP with a “helper” or an agent. |
| 6 DigiLocker not opening | Server load or a browser problem | Switch between the app and the website, or try again later. Do not use unofficial “ABC generator” sites. |
| 7 ID already linked | An ID already exists against your Aadhaar | Check DigiLocker’s Issued Documents and the DEB portal for it. Do not make a duplicate ID. |
| 8 DU SOL not accepting the ID | The email or mobile differs from your DEB record | Match the email and mobile in the form to your DEB record exactly. Do not pay a second time. |
| 9 Wrong ID submitted | A typo, or you entered another person’s ID | Check your dashboard and your application print, then report it. Do not submit a second application. |
| 10 Pending verification | Validation is still in progress | Re-check your dashboard and your registered email. Do not assume it has been rejected. |
Who to contact if it does not clear: use ABC support for problems 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, the UGC-DEB helpline for problem 2, and the DU SOL helpdesk for problems 8, 9 and 10. Give it a day for a portal or sync problem, but report a wrong ID straight away. All three numbers are in the helplines box below.
✅ Checklist Before Final Submission
- APAAR/ABC ID card downloaded from DigiLocker
- DEB ID created and the screenshot saved
- Name, date of birth and gender match across Aadhaar, ABC and DEB
- The same email and mobile in the DU SOL form as in the DEB record
- DEB ID shows as validated in the form
- Documents ready, using an admission document checklist
- Fees checked against the current DU SOL fees structure
- Payment receipt and application print saved
⏳ Already Submitted the Form Without an ABC or DEB ID?
According to the DEB ID sheet used by ODL institutions, an application only goes through after the DEB ID is validated. So if your form was submitted and paid for, a DEB ID was most likely accepted already. Log in and check what your application actually shows.
If the field is blank, shows a wrong ID, or the status is still pending, take screenshots, fix or create your ABC and DEB ID, and contact the DU SOL helpdesk with your SOL roll number or control number. We found no official correction window for 2026–27, and the 13 October deadline has passed, so be wary of anyone promising a guaranteed fix.
🔒 Safety and Privacy Tips
- Use only official domains: digilocker.gov.in, abc.gov.in, deb.ugc.ac.in, sol.du.ac.in and the oldcdu.ac.in portals.
- Never share your OTP, DigiLocker PIN or password with anyone.
- We found no official fee for creating either ID, so do not pay an agent to make one for you.
- Do not post screenshots showing full ID numbers in WhatsApp or Telegram groups.
- Keep every receipt, acknowledgement and ID card in one folder.
🔗 Official Links and Helplines
| What it is | Link |
|---|---|
| UGC-DEB student DEB ID portal | deb.ugc.ac.in/StudentDEBId |
| UGC-DEB DEB ID FAQs | deb.ugc.ac.in/StudentDEBId/FAQ |
| DigiLocker, to create or view your APAAR/ABC ID | digilocker.gov.in |
| Academic Bank of Credits | abc.gov.in |
| ABC support tickets | support.abc.gov.in |
| DU SOL official website | sol.du.ac.in |
| DU SOL UG admission portal | ugadmission.oldcdu.ac.in |
Verified DU SOL helpdesk: 011-65213030 and 011-35663474, Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. UGC-DEB technical: 011-23604645. ABC support call centre: 1800-889-3511. The DEB portal also points learners to the DigiLocker app for APAAR and ABC card problems.
🧭 Author’s Practical Advice
Almost every problem on this page comes from one source: the name or date of birth on the ABC record does not match Aadhaar or the marksheet. So fix things in this order, and do not skip a step:
- The ABC record on DigiLocker
- Then the DEB ID, using Update Your DEB Details
- Then the DU SOL form
Doing it in that order saves days of back-and-forth, because each system reads from the one above it. After admission, your updates move to the student dashboard, which our Medha Setu portal guide explains.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Are ABC ID and DEB ID the same?
No. The ABC ID, also called the APAAR ID, is your academic credit account and is created through DigiLocker. The DEB ID is a separate ID created on the UGC-DEB portal using your ABC ID. You need the ABC ID first, because the DEB portal reads your details from it.
Is APAAR ID the same as ABC ID?
Yes. A Government of India factsheet on the Academic Bank of Credits notes that the ABC ID has been renamed the APAAR ID, so it is the same 12-digit number. If you already received one at school, use that one rather than creating another.
Is ABC ID compulsory for DU SOL?
In practice, yes. UGC requires a DEB ID for ODL admission, and a DEB ID cannot be created without an ABC ID. So even though the rule names the DEB ID, you cannot complete the process without an ABC ID behind it.
Is DEB ID compulsory for every DU SOL student?
UGC-DEB made it mandatory for ODL and online learners from the 2024–25 session onwards, except for foreign learners. Students admitted before that should follow any instruction shown on their own DU SOL dashboard, as we found no notice asking them to create one now.
Can I create the ID after submitting the admission form?
No. The DEB ID instruction sheet used by ODL institutions says the application is submitted only after the DEB ID is validated. Create both IDs before you start the form, and use the same email and mobile number in both places.
What should I do if my name does not match?
Correct the APAAR or ABC record first, through ABC support or DigiLocker. Then update your details on the UGC-DEB portal using the Update Your DEB Details option. If the form still blocks you after both records agree, contact the DU SOL helpdesk with screenshots.
Can I use someone else’s ABC ID?
No. The ID is linked to that person’s Aadhaar and academic record, so your admission and your credits would be recorded against the wrong person. This is very hard to undo later, and it can affect both students’ records.
How can I check whether my ID is linked?
For the ABC ID, look in DigiLocker’s Issued Documents section. For the DEB ID, enter your ABC ID on the UGC-DEB portal to see your current status. For the application itself, check your DU SOL application print and dashboard.
What should old DU SOL students do?
Keep your APAAR or ABC record accurate, because credits are uploaded against that ID. We found no DU SOL notice asking students admitted before 2024–25 to create a DEB ID, so check your dashboard and any official notice rather than acting on social-media advice.
Where can I contact official support?
ABC support handles APAAR and ABC problems, the UGC-DEB helpline handles DEB ID problems, and the DU SOL helpdesk handles application problems. All three numbers are listed in the Official Links and Helplines section of this guide.
📌 Final Steps in Order
- Check DigiLocker for an existing APAAR/ABC ID, and create one only if you do not have it.
- Make sure your name, date of birth and gender match your Aadhaar and your marksheet.
- Create your DEB ID at deb.ugc.ac.in/StudentDEBId.
- Use the same email and mobile in the DU SOL form, and wait for validation.
- Save screenshots of every ID and every receipt.
Rules and dates change each session, so check the current DU SOL prospectus and admission portal before you apply. We will update this page when DU SOL or UGC-DEB publish new instructions.
📚 Official Sources Checked (23 October 2026)
- UGC-DEB student DEB ID portal: form fields, Get Your DEB ID and Update Your DEB Details, the APAAR card correction steps, and all three helpline numbers
- PIB factsheet on the Academic Bank of Credits: the ABC to APAAR renaming and the APAAR full form
- DU SOL / CDOE admission portal: 2026–27 admission status and the helpdesk numbers and timings
- IGNOU’s official DEB ID creation sheet: the standard instruction that an application is submitted only after the DEB ID is validated
About this guide: OpenStudyInfo is an independent student-information website and is not affiliated with the University of Delhi, DU SOL/CDOE, UGC, UGC-DEB, DigiLocker or APAAR. Official portals and notices remain the final authority, so confirm every rule and date on the official page before you act. Official pages were last reviewed on 23 October 2026.