APAAR ID Implementation

March 21, 2025

The Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID is aspect of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It aims to streamline student data management across educational institutions. Despite being portrayed as voluntary, there is growing pressure on parents and schools to adopt the APAAR system.

What is APAAR ID?

APAAR stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. It is designed to provide a unique identification number for students. This ID aims to facilitate seamless transitions between educational institutions. It is linked to the Aadhaar system and stored in the DigiLocker. The APAAR ID helps in maintaining standardised academic records.

Purpose of APAAR ID

The primary purpose of the APAAR ID is to accumulate and store students’ academic accomplishments. It allows for easier verification and processing of academic transcripts. The system promotes the concept of “One Nation, One Student ID.” This aligns with the NEP’s goals of improving educational data collection for better policymaking.

Is APAAR Mandatory?

APAAR is officially described as voluntary. However, various circulars from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and state authorities encourage its adoption. Parents often receive unclear information regarding its voluntary nature. This has led to confusion and concern among parents about the necessity of enrolling their children.

Data Security Concerns

There are concerns regarding data security and privacy. Critics argue that the large-scale collection of minors’ data without legal backing is unconstitutional. The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has raised alarms about the potential misuse of data. They point out that existing data protection laws prohibit tracking and monitoring of children.

How is APAAR ID Generated?

The generation of an APAAR ID involves several steps. Schools verify students’ demographic details such as name and date of birth. Parents must fill out a consent form. After verification, the APAAR ID is generated. Issues may arise if there are discrepancies in the names or details provided.

Opting Out of APAAR

Parents have the option to opt out of generating an APAAR ID for their children. They can write to schools expressing their decision. Digital rights advocates have provided templates to assist parents in this process. Despite the option to opt out, local pressures may complicate this choice.

Challenges in Implementation

The implementation of APAAR faces several challenges. Many parents are unaware of their rights regarding the programme. Additionally, some states have threatened consequences for schools that do not comply with APAAR registration.

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