Documents Required to Generate DEB ID on UGC Portal

To generate a DEB ID on the UGC portal, you need an active DigiLocker account or Academic Bank of Credits (ABC ID) linked to your Aadhaar card. You also need an active mobile number registered with your Aadhaar for OTP verification, an active email address, and your basic qualifying educational marksheets. These records allow the UGC Distance Education Bureau system to verify your identity and generate a unique student identifier for your distance or online degree.

What Is a DEB ID and Why Is It Necessary?

The Distance Education Bureau (DEB) is a special wing of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The UGC introduced the DEB ID to bring order and transparency to online and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) admissions across India.

In the past, students faced confusion about whether their distance education admission was legitimate. Some students enrolled through unauthorised study centres without direct registration at the university. To solve this, the UGC made it compulsory for every student to create a unique DEB ID before taking admission in any approved distance or online programme.

When you create a DEB ID, your profile is registered on the national database. The university where you seek admission must record this number in its records. This ensures that you are admitted only to a recognised course for the correct academic session.

You can read official announcements regarding student safety and admission steps on the UGC-DEB public notices page. For online or distance programmes always check the HEI and the programme, session wise, on the UGC-DEB portal before admission.

Complete List of Documents Required to Generate DEB ID

Preparing your paperwork beforehand makes the creation of your DEB ID smooth and quick. Because the entire procedure is digital, you do not need physical paper forms, but you must have correct personal records.

Here is the exact list of what you need:

1. Aadhaar Card with Registered Mobile Number

Your Aadhaar card is the primary identity document for Indian students. The DEB portal verifies your details through an electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) process. For this step to work, your active mobile number must be connected to your Aadhaar. The portal sends a One-Time Password (OTP) to this number. If your phone number is not linked to your Aadhaar, the verification cannot move forward.

2. DigiLocker Account or ABC ID

The UGC portal connects with DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC). You need access to your DigiLocker account. If you do not have one, you can create it within a few minutes using your Aadhaar number. If you already have an ABC ID from prior college studies, keep your ABC account login details handy.

3. Active Personal Mobile Number and Email Address

You must provide a mobile number and an email address that belong to you or your parent. Never use the contact details of a cyber cafe or an unverified representative. Official updates, confirmation text messages, and your unique DEB ID will be delivered to these contact channels.

4. Qualifying Examination Marksheets

Keep your previous education documents close to you. This includes:

• Class 10 marksheet or birth certificate (for verifying your name and date of birth)
• Class 12 marksheet (if you are applying for an undergraduate programme)
• Bachelor degree marksheets and certificate (if you are applying for a postgraduate programme)

Your name, father name, mother name, and date of birth on your marksheets must match the details shown on your Aadhaar card.

5. Passport Size Photograph and Signature

While DigiLocker automatically pulls your Aadhaar photograph for e-KYC, keep a recent passport-size photograph and a scan of your signature saved on your computer or phone. Certain university portals ask you to upload these along with your generated DEB ID during your final form submission.

6. Alternative Government ID (For Non-Aadhaar Students)

If you are an Indian student who cannot use Aadhaar-based KYC, or if you are from certain regions with exemptions, you may use an alternative government-issued photo ID such as a Passport or Voter ID card. However, Aadhaar remains the standard and fastest method for verification on the UGC system.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Generate Your DEB ID

The steps to create your DEB ID are simple and can be completed from home. Here is how you can do it:

Step 1: Visit the Official UGC-DEB Portal

Start by visiting the official UGC-DEB portal. Look for the student corner or the link that says "Distance Education Bureau Student Portal" or "Generate DEB ID".

Step 2: Choose Your Verification Mode

The portal will present verification options. The standard method is verification through DigiLocker or ABC ID. Click on the DigiLocker option.

Step 3: Complete e-KYC via DigiLocker

Sign in to your DigiLocker account using your Aadhaar number or mobile number. Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile phone. Give your consent for DigiLocker to share your verified profile data with the Distance Education Bureau.

Step 4: Verify Your Details on the Screen

Once the e-KYC is complete, your name, date of birth, gender, and photograph will appear on the DEB portal screen. Check these carefully to ensure they match your school certificates.

Step 5: Fill in Academic and Personal Details

Enter your current address, your active email ID, your current contact number, and select the level of course you plan to study (such as Undergraduate or Postgraduate).

Step 6: Submit and Receive Your DEB ID

Review all entered information. Click submit. Your unique DEB ID will appear on the screen immediately. A copy of the ID and confirmation will also be sent to your registered email and mobile number. Save this ID or download the PDF receipt.

Important Things to Check Before Applying

Getting your DEB ID is an essential step, but it is only one part of securing your future. Before you take admission and pay money, you must check the status of your university. Many families spend their hard-earned money without checking whether a college has the right permissions.

1. Check Session-Wise UGC-DEB Approval

Not every university is permitted to offer all courses in distance or online mode. Approvals are granted for specific courses and specific academic years. A university might be allowed to run a Bachelor of Commerce online, but not a Master of Science. Check both the university and the exact programme on the UGC-DEB portal before taking admission.

2. Verify Overall University Status

Check if the university is established under an Act of Parliament or a State Legislature. You can check the complete directory of state, central, deemed, and private universities on the UGC list of universities.

3. Check Institutional Accreditation and Rankings

Accreditation gives you a clear picture of the quality of education provided by an institution. You can see institutional assessment grades on the NAAC accreditation status page. You can also view national standings through the NIRF 2025 university ranking.

4. Review the List of Unrecognised Institutions

The UGC publishes an official directory of institutions operating without authorization. Always verify that your college is not present on the UGC list of fake universities.

5. Enquire Directly About Academic Fees

University fees can change depending on your course, study mode, and eligibility for state or central scholarships. The fee for your course is shared on call or WhatsApp by our academic counsellors, who verify details directly from the university's approved notifications.

Common Issues While Generating DEB ID and How to Solve Them

Students sometimes face small technical issues while creating their DEB ID. Here is how you can resolve the most common problems:

Name Mismatch Between Aadhaar and School Marksheets

If your name on your Aadhaar card has an incorrect spelling or is missing your surname, the automated system may flag an error. If this happens, update your Aadhaar details at a nearby Aadhaar Seva Kendra to match your Class 10 certificate before continuing.

OTP Not Received

During peak admission months, telecom networks or portal servers can face delays. If you do not receive an OTP on your mobile phone, wait fifteen minutes and try again. Ensure your phone has active network coverage and can receive standard text messages.

Multiple Records Found

If you created a DigiLocker profile earlier with a different phone number, the portal might show a duplicate entry alert. Log in to DigiLocker first, check your registered profile, and use the same mobile number to generate your DEB ID.

Official pages where you can check this yourself

• UGC-DEB portal: recognised online and distance (ODL) universities and programmes, session wise
• UGC-DEB public notices for students (precautions, franchise warning, deadlines)
• UGC list of universities (central, state, private, deemed)
• UGC list of fake universities
• NAAC accreditation status of institutions
• NIRF 2025 university ranking