AI SummaryCentral government has rolled out a single digital student identity system called APAAR ID (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry). It is a 12-digit lifelong academic ID created under the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and the National Credit Framework. This card keeps every student's learning record safe, from school to higher education and even into professional life.
As per the official APAAR portal, more than 33.74 crore APAAR IDs have been registered so far. A PIB factsheet from July 2026 says 26.35 crore verified APAAR IDs have been generated across India. School records are mapped through the UDISE+ portal, while higher education records are linked through the Academic Bank of Credits.
In July 2026, Supreme Court directed that APAAR consent form must carry an opt-out option for parents and guardians. The Court also ruled that all student data under APAAR scheme is governed by the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, and cannot be shared with private entities except as per the law.
APAAR ID acts as a digital academic passport. With it, students do not need to carry or submit multiple paper documents again and again. All marksheets, report cards, degrees, certificates, skill records, and co-curricular achievements are stored in one place and can be easily shared through DigiLocker.
For minors, parental consent is needed before creating the ID. Schools are responsible for verifying student details on the UDISE+ portal and then generating the APAAR ID, which automatically gets linked to DigiLocker. Students and parents can later see and download it from there.
Apaar ID Card Online Application Process
There is no direct online application to be done by the students for APAAR ID creation. The process is handled by schools and here's how it works:
STEP 1 - Student details are verified by the school on the UDISE+ portal.
STEP 2 - If the student is a minor, the school will take parental consent. As per the Supreme Court order, the consent form now includes an opt-out option for parents.
STEP 3 - Identity is authenticated and APAAR ID is generated.
STEP 4 - The ID is added to DigiLocker and students can access it there.
For higher education, students can register on the Academic Bank of Credits portal or through DigiLocker. ABC ID is now called APAAR ID. Students in remote areas can also get help from the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).
Highlights of APAAR Scheme
| Card Name | APAAR ID |
| Full Form | Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry |
| Scheme | One Nation One Student ID |
| Authority | Ministry of Education, Govt. of India |
| Beneficiaries | All students in India |
| Purpose | Single lifelong ID for academic journey, mobility, and clarity in student records |
| Current Status | 33.74 Cr+ IDs registered, 26.35 Cr+ verified (as of July 2026) |
| Registration | By Schools via UDISE+ portal; higher education via ABC portal |
| Parental Consent | Required for minors, opt-out option available |
| Access | APAAR Identity available in DigiLocker |
| Official Portal | apaar.education.gov.in |
| ABC Portal | abc.gov.in |
| Apaar Brochure | Download PDF |
Benefits of APAAR
- Unified Academic Identity - A lifelong ID that stores every student's academic and skill record in one place.
- Simple Transfers and Admissions - Students can change schools or apply for higher studies without repeating paperwork.
- Integration with ABC and DigiLocker - Credits, marksheets, and certificates are digitally linked for easy use.
- Real-time Tracking - Students and parents can monitor performance and progress anytime.
- Skill Gap Analysis - Helps in planning upskilling and reskilling based on stored data.
- No Fear of Lost Records - All data is digitally stored and secure.
New Updates in 2026
Several changes have come in the APAAR scheme in 2026. Here are the main ones:
- Opt-out option in consent form - The Supreme Court ordered in July 2026 that parents can refuse consent for APAAR ID creation. The consent form must clearly show this option.
- DPDP Act applies - All student data under APAAR is now governed by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Data cannot be shared with private entities except as per the law.
- Mandatory for board exams - CBSE circulars of August 2025 made APAAR ID a precondition for Class IX to XII board registration from the 2026 session.
- Travel benefits - Students between 13 and 30 years can get up to 10% discount on base airfares and an extra 10 kg baggage allowance by authenticating their APAAR ID.
- ABC ID renamed - The Academic Bank of Credits ID is now called the APAAR ID. Both work as one identity for credit transfer.
FAQ's
What is APAAR ID?
APAAR means Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. It is a 12 digit lifelong student ID started under NEP 2020. It stores all academic and skill records of a student in one place.
Why should students have APAAR ID?
APAAR ID works as a digital academic passport. It keeps all marksheets, report cards, degrees, certificates, and skills safe and easy to use for school transfers, admissions, or jobs.
Who creates APAAR ID?
Schools create APAAR IDs for students through the UDISE+ portal. Students do not need to apply directly. For minors, schools must take parental consent before ID generation, and parents now have the option to refuse consent.
Where can students access their APAAR?
Once generated, APAAR ID is added to DigiLocker. Students can log in and find their APAAR card in the issued documents section.
What are the main benefits of APAAR?
APAAR ID makes academic records digital and safe, removes paperwork, prevents fraud, supports easy transfers, helps in credit transfer, and keeps co-curricular achievements recorded.
How does APAAR ID connect with Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)?
APAAR is linked to the Academic Bank of Credits. Students can collect, transfer, and redeem credits across institutions through this system. ABC ID is now called APAAR ID.
What details are needed to generate APAAR?
Student name, date of birth, gender, mobile number, Aadhaar number, mother and father's name, and UDISE+ unique student identifier (PEN) are required for creating APAAR ID.
Can students track their progress with APAAR?
Yes, students can easily monitor their academic journey, achievements, and skill records. The system also helps in checking skill gaps for future learning.
What happens if APAAR ID creation fails?
If there is any mismatch between Aadhaar details and school records, the ID generation may fail. The school will need to correct the data and try again.
What is the official website for APAAR?
The official APAAR portal is apaar.education.gov.in. Students can also access related services through DigiLocker and the ABC portal at abc.gov.in.
Is APAAR ID mandatory?
Officially, APAAR ID is voluntary. But CBSE circulars of August 2025 made it a precondition for Class IX to XII board registration from the 2026 session. The Supreme Court has now ordered an opt-out option in the consent form so parents can refuse if they want.
What did the Supreme Court order in July 2026?
In July 2026, the Supreme Court directed that the consent form must carry an opt-out option for parents and guardians. The Court also ruled that all student data under APAAR is governed by the DPDP Act, 2023, and cannot be shared with private entities except as per the law.