For Prelims: National Academic Depository, National Education Policy 2020
For Mains: Governance: Digital governance and education; Society: Higher education and educational policy
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Veer Kunwar Singh University ranked third nationally for APAAR ID creation in 2026.
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University ranked fourth nationally.
- Lalit Narayan Mithila University ranked fifth nationally with 48,799 IDs.
- Indira Gandhi National Open University held the first national rank.
- Bihar plans the results-transfer facility for the 2026–30 undergraduate session.
The news
Three universities from Bihar have been ranked among the top five in India for creating APAAR IDs for students, according to the Ministry of Education’s 2026 report. Veer Kunwar Singh University in Ara secured the third position nationally, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University (BRABU) in Muzaffarpur ranked fourth, and Lalit Narayan Mithila University in Darbhanga ranked fifth. The report covers IDs created for students from undergraduate to postgraduate levels.
Nationally, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) topped the list, followed by APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University. Among the Bihar universities, Veer Kunwar Singh University created 55,000 APAAR IDs in 2026, BRABU created 51,000, and Lalit Narayan Mithila University created 48,799. The state education department has made the APAAR ID mandatory for undergraduate admission under the National Education Policy, officials said.
Why in the news?
The Ministry of Education’s 2026 report placed three Bihar universities among the top five nationally for APAAR ID creation, highlighting the state’s progress in implementing the digital academic identifier under the National Education Policy.
What is APAAR and why is it mandatory?
APAAR (Academic Bank of Credits) provides students with a unique academic identifier to store and access their educational records digitally. Bihar’s education department has made the APAAR ID compulsory for undergraduate admission, and without it, students cannot enrol. The system is part of the National Education Policy 2020’s framework for credit-based learning and digital record-keeping.
How will results be linked to the National Academic Depository?
Bihar’s education department plans to upload university results directly to the National Academic Depository (NAD) through the Samarth portal, eliminating the need for a separate upload after online publication. BRABU’s Samarth portal coordinator Dr Kaushal Jha said the facility is expected to benefit students of the undergraduate session 2026–30.
APAAR ID rankings of Bihar universities
| University | National rank | Bihar rank | IDs in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veer Kunwar Singh University | 3 | 1 | 55,000 |
| Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University | 4 | 2 | 51,000 |
| Lalit Narayan Mithila University | 5 | 3 | 48,799 |
Bihar connection
Facts and terms for exams
- National Academic Depository:
- A digital system for storing and accessing academic awards and records.
- National Education Policy 2020:
- India's education policy framework covering reforms across school and higher education.
Why it matters for exams
Exams: BPSC, BPSC TRE, BSSC
Syllabus: Governance: Digital governance and education; Society: Higher education and educational policy
Common mistake: Examiners may swap national and Bihar ranks: Veer Kunwar Singh University was third nationally but first within Bihar.
Mains question
The APAAR ID system aims to digitise academic records under NEP 2020. Examine its potential benefits and challenges in ensuring universal access and data security in higher education.
Stuck? Get it in one tap
APAAR ID is an academic identifier used to connect a student's educational records. Three Bihar universities were among the national top five for creating these IDs in 2026. Bihar also plans to send university results to a digital academic records system through the Samarth portal.
- Veer Kunwar Singh University ranked third nationally for APAAR ID creation in 2026.
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University ranked fourth nationally.
- Lalit Narayan Mithila University ranked fifth nationally with 48,799 IDs.
- Indira Gandhi National Open University held the first national rank.
- Bihar plans the results-transfer facility for the 2026–30 undergraduate session.
- Governance: Digital governance and education
- Society: Higher education and educational policy
Related concepts: National Academic Depository, National Education Policy 2020
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which body issued the 2026 report on universities' APAAR ID creation?
Explanation: The Ministry of Education issued the 2026 report. The Bihar Education Department administers the state's education measures, while the two universities are institutions covered by the rankings.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements about APAAR ID creation in 2026:
- 1.Veer Kunwar Singh University ranked third nationally.
- 2.Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University ranked first within Bihar.
- 3.Lalit Narayan Mithila University ranked fifth nationally.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct: the universities ranked third and fifth nationally, respectively. Statement 2 is incorrect because Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University ranked second within Bihar, behind Veer Kunwar Singh University.
- Q3Medium
How many APAAR IDs did Lalit Narayan Mithila University create in 2026?
Explanation: Lalit Narayan Mithila University created 48,799 IDs. The figures of 51,000 and 55,000 belong to Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University and Veer Kunwar Singh University, respectively; 50,000 is not its recorded figure.
- Q4Medium
What is the purpose of Bihar's proposed Samarth portal connection with the National Academic Depository?
Explanation: The proposed connection would send results to the National Academic Depository through Samarth when they are published online. It concerns digital result transfer, not replacing examinations, assigning ranks or discontinuing records.
Frequently asked questions
1. Which Bihar university ranked highest nationally for APAAR ID creation in 2026?
Veer Kunwar Singh University ranked third nationally and first among Bihar universities.
2. How many APAAR IDs did Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University create in 2026?
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University created 51,000 student IDs.
3. Is an APAAR ID required for undergraduate admission in Bihar?
Bihar's education department has made an APAAR ID mandatory for undergraduate admission.
4. How will Bihar university results reach the National Academic Depository?
The proposed arrangement will use the Samarth portal to transfer results to the depository without a separate upload.
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- Original10 November 2026 · Read story
