APAAR ID is a 12-digit student ID under the government’s “One Nation, One Student ID” plan. APAAR stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. It links a student’s marksheets, certificates and credits in one digital record inside DigiLocker. School students get it through their school with parental consent, and parents can also refuse.
Schools across India have been running APAAR registration drives through 2026, and many parents have received consent forms without much explanation. This guide covers what the ID is, how it is created, where to find it, and what rights students and parents have.
What APAAR ID is meant to do
APAAR was introduced in line with the National Education Policy 2020. According to the official APAAR portal, it is meant to hold a student’s academic records in one place: scorecards, marksheets, grade sheets, degrees, diplomas, certificates and co-curricular achievements. It also supports a credit-based system, so credits earned in one institution can be recognised and moved to another.
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For higher education, APAAR works with the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), which stores credits that college students earn. The idea is that a student’s record follows them from school to college to a job application, without repeated paper verification.
As per the APAAR portal, over 33 crore APAAR IDs have been registered so far, which shows how widely schools have pushed the drive.
Quick facts about APAAR ID
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Full form | Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry |
| Length | 12 digits |
| Generated through | UDISE+ system, using the student’s PEN |
| Where it appears | DigiLocker, under Issued Documents |
| Consent | Parental consent for minors; option to refuse |
| Number per student | Only one APAAR ID per person |
| Helpline (as listed on portal) | 1800 889 3511 |
What you need before an APAAR ID can be created
The official portal lists two basic requirements. First, the student must have a Permanent Education Number (PEN), which every school student recorded in UDISE+ gets. Second, the student’s name in UDISE+ must match the name on their Aadhaar card. Mismatched spellings are the most common reason the process gets stuck.
The school will usually need these details:
- PEN and student name
- Date of birth and gender
- Mobile number
- Mother’s and father’s names
- Name as per Aadhaar and Aadhaar number
If the name on Aadhaar and the school record differ, ask the school which record should be corrected before you sign the consent form.
How to get an APAAR ID: step by step
For school students (under 18)
- Check details at school. The school verifies the student’s demographic details against UDISE+ records.
- Give parental consent. Parents fill the consent form. This is voluntary, and the form must include an option to refuse.
- Authentication. The school authenticates the student’s identity.
- ID created. The APAAR ID is generated in UDISE+ and pushed to the student’s DigiLocker account.
For students aged 18 and above
Adult students can create an APAAR ID themselves through DigiLocker. Reports also mention the UMANG app, the ABC portal and Common Service Centres as routes, and colleges can create IDs in bulk for their students.
How to check your APAAR ID
Once created, the virtual APAAR ID card appears in the “Issued Documents” section of DigiLocker. Schools can also check status in the APAAR module of the UDISE+ portal, so if the card does not show up, ask the class teacher or school office to check. Keep a screenshot or printout, since some forms now ask for the number.
Students who want to keep their documents organised online can read our guides on apps and digital safety in the Technology section.
Is APAAR ID mandatory?
Officially, consent for APAAR is voluntary. In practice, it is being tied more closely to school systems. CareerIndia reported in September 2026 that CBSE has linked APAAR with Class 9 and 11 registration and the List of Candidates for Class 10 and 12 board exams. It is also increasingly used for verification on the National Scholarship Portal and the apprenticeship portal.
The same report noted that CBSE allowed schools to mark entries as “refused” or “not generated” in 2025, so students without an APAAR ID could still be registered. Parents who refuse should do so in writing and keep a copy.
What the Supreme Court said in July 2026
Privacy concerns around APAAR reached the courts. In 2025, the Orissa High Court asked authorities to consider adding a clear opt-out option to the APAAR consent form. In July 2026, a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed that this be implemented across India, as LiveLaw reported.
The court’s directions, in short:
- The APAAR consent form must carry an opt-out or refusal option.
- Collection, storage and use of student data must follow the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
- Student data cannot be shared with private entities or third parties, except as permitted by law.
This means parents have a clear right to say no. It also means that if they say yes, the data has legal protection.
Practical tips for parents
- Read the consent form fully before signing, and check that the refusal option is printed on it.
- Match names first. Correct spelling differences between Aadhaar and school records early.
- Ask the school in writing if they say APAAR is compulsory for a specific purpose, and request the circular.
- Do not share OTPs or Aadhaar details with unknown callers claiming to “update” APAAR. Use only the school, DigiLocker or the official portal.
- Keep the number safe once it is created, as scholarship and admission forms may ask for it.
For more on how education policy is changing for Indian families, see our Education section.
Frequently asked questions
What is the full form of APAAR?
APAAR stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. It is a 12-digit academic ID for students in India.
Can parents refuse APAAR ID?
Yes. Consent is voluntary, and the Supreme Court in July 2026 directed that the consent form must include an opt-out or refusal option.
Where can I download my APAAR ID card?
Once generated, the APAAR ID card appears in the Issued Documents section of the student’s DigiLocker account.
Is APAAR ID the same as Aadhaar?
No. Aadhaar is an identity number for residents. APAAR is an academic record ID, though Aadhaar details are used to verify the student when it is created.
Sources: Official APAAR portal, LiveLaw on the Supreme Court order, CareerIndia on APAAR registrations in 2026.
