While the government maintains that APAAR enrolment is voluntary, concerns have been raised by parents and activists about its possible mandatory implementation.

• The CBSE circular (January 2025) directed schools to ensure “100% saturation of APAAR IDs”, which many schools interpreted as a mandate.

Official Stand on APAAR ID

• The Education Ministry states that APAAR ID enrolment is voluntary, not mandatory.
  • However, concerns persist that schools may enforce it due to official directives.
• The Supreme Court’s ruling in K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India states that Aadhaar cannot be mandatory for access to basic education, raising legal concerns over the APAAR ID system.

What is an APAAR ID?

• Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) is a 12-digit lifelong student ID, which consolidates all academic records into a single platform.
• Initiative By: Ministry of Education, Government of India.
• Purpose: A unique student identification system designed to track academic progress from pre-primary education to higher education.
• Policy Basis: Introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aligned with the National Credit and Qualifications Framework (NCrF).

Key Features of APAAR ID

• Lifelong Student Record: Ensures seamless access to academic data across institutions.
• Digital Integration: Links with Aadhaar and DigiLocker for authentication and secure storage.
• Credit Accumulation: Facilitates credit transfer between institutions under the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) system.
• Ease of Admission: Enables paperless admissions across schools, colleges, and universities.
• Prevention of Fraud: Reduces fraudulent academic claims by maintaining a verified digital record of student achievements.

Academic Bank of Credit (ABC)

• ABC is a  digital repository where students’ academic credits, marks, and personal records are stored securely.
• Function: Enables students to accumulate and transfer credits across institutions without the need for traditional documentation.
• Access Point: Students can register for ABC and APAAR ID through Common Service Centres (CSCs) nationwide.

Objectives of the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC)

• Credit Transfer and Mobility: Allows students to seamlessly transfer credits between institutions, enabling flexible learning pathways.
• Centralized Digital Record: Maintains a comprehensive digital profile of a student’s academic achievements.
• Simplified Admissions Process: Students can get admission to universities and colleges with a single APAAR ID, eliminating paperwork.
• Encourages Lifelong Learning: Enables students to accumulate credits over time, supporting multiple entry-exit options in education.

Potential Impact of APAAR ID and ABC

• Increased Transparency in Education
  • Ensures that all academic achievements are recorded digitally, preventing document forgery and fraud.
  • Simplifies the verification process for institutions and employers.
• Improved Access to Higher Education
  • Students can carry forward earned credits across different universities and colleges.
  • Multiple entry and exit options allow students to resume education at any stage.
• Digital Transformation in Education
  • Encourages paperless documentation and enhances digital integration in schools and universities.
  • Reduces administrative burdens on institutions.
• Concerns About Data Privacy and Accessibility
  • Linking APAAR ID with Aadhaar raises concerns about data security and privacy.
  • Questions remain regarding accessibility for students without digital infrastructure.