Why in the news?

  • The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has now made it mandatory for students to submit their APAAR IDs while registering for the board exams.

Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID

  • What is it?: The Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID is a unique 12-digit identifier introduced by the Government of India as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
  • Aim: To facilitate “One Nation One Student ID Card”.
  • Use: It serves as a lifelong academic passport for students, consolidating their academic achievements and credentials in one place.
  • Features:
    • Personal Academic Registry: Each student will get a unique APAAR ID which links all their academic records.
    • Lifelong Academic Identity: The APAAR ID remains with the student throughout their educational career, facilitating seamless transitions between different levels of education.
    • Comprehensive Record: It stores a comprehensive record of academic achievements, including degrees, scholarships, awards, and other credits.
    • Digital Repository: Securely stores academic data and achievements, accessible through DigiLocker.
  • Related Concerns:
    • Data Privacy Concerns: Concerns of data privacy of student academic data as well as UID data
    • Digital Divide: The risk of exclusion of students from remote areas and marginalised communities.