Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR)
Source: Indian Express
GS II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
Overview
- News in Brief
- What is APAAR ID?
- Academic Records Covered
- How is APAAR ID Generated and Significance?
Why in the News?
Supreme Court has asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to implement on a pan-India basis the Orissa High Court’s direction that parents be provided with the option to refuse consent to sharing Aadhaar details of their children for creation of Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID or to opt out of the scheme.
News in Brief
- A bench of the Chief Justice of India also directed that any personal information collected pursuant to the APAAR Scheme should not be disclosed or shared with any private entity or third party except in accordance with law.
- The SC order came on petitions by some parents challenging the constitutional validity of the scheme.
- Collection, processing, storage, retention, sharing or use of personal information under the APAAR Scheme shall, therefore, be strictly governed by the provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and the obligations cast thereunder upon data fiduciaries to ensure the lawful, secure and purpose-limited processing of personal data.”
What is APAAR ID?
- APAAR provides every student with a unique 12-digit identification number.
- It functions as a permanent academic identity through which educational records and achievements can be digitally linked and accessed.
The APAAR ecosystem is integrated with the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and DigiLocker, allowing students to access verified academic documents and accumulated credits through digital platforms.
Academic Records Covered
APAAR can bring different educational achievements under one digital identity, including:
- Mark sheets and grade sheets
- Degrees, diplomas and certificates
- Academic credits
- Scholarships and awards
- Co-curricular achievements
Academic credits issued by recognised institutions can be accumulated and transferred through the Academic Bank of Credits, supporting greater flexibility in education.
According to the Ministry of Education’s annual report, 11.7 crore APAAR IDs, covering about 53% of enrolled students, had been validated and generated through UDISE+ as of 3 February 2025. More than 80% of India’s schools had initiated APAAR-related activities by then.
How is APAAR ID Generated and Significance?
For school students, the process is linked with the UDISE+ system. The student’s demographic details are verified, parental consent is obtained for minors, and identity authentication is completed through the school. After successful verification, the APAAR ID is generated and made available through the student’s DigiLocker account.
The student’s name in UDISE+ must match the Aadhaar record, while the Permanent Education Number (PEN) is required for generating an APAAR ID.
Significance of APAAR
APAAR can facilitate seamless movement between educational institutions, as verified academic records can be accessed without repeatedly submitting physical documents. It can also simplify admissions, credit transfers, entrance examinations and verification of qualifications.
For educational institutions, a unified academic record system can reduce duplication, improve administrative efficiency and help prevent fraudulent academic credentials.
Data Privacy and Concerns
Since APAAR involves sensitive personal and educational information, data protection and informed consent are important. The Ministry’s privacy policy states that APAAR integrates with DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits and provides access controls for authorised use of student information.
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