In short: APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) is a unique 12-digit academic ID for every student in India, introduced under NEP 2020. Schools are now actively asking parents for consent to create it. This guide walks you through exactly what APAAR is, whether it is mandatory, the step-by-step registration process via DigiLocker, what the consent form means, common errors and how to fix them, and honest answers to privacy concerns. If your school sent a circular about APAAR and you are confused, this page has everything you need.
What Is APAAR ID — Plain English Explanation
Think of APAAR as Aadhaar for education. Just as Aadhaar gives every citizen a unique identity number for government services, APAAR gives every student a unique 12-digit academic ID that follows them throughout their education — from Class 1 all the way to higher education and beyond.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full form | Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry |
| Digits | 12-digit unique ID (like Aadhaar) |
| Linked to | Aadhaar number + Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) |
| Launched | February 2024, under NEP 2020 |
| Who gets it | Every student from Class 1 to higher education |
| Managed by | Ministry of Education + Digital India Corporation |
| Cost | Free — no charges at any step |
Why Is Your School Asking for It Now
Schools are being directed by CBSE, state boards, and state education departments to create APAAR IDs for all enrolled students. Here is why it matters:
| Reason | What It Means for Your Child |
|---|---|
| Digital academic record | All marksheets, certificates, and credits stored in one place — accessible anytime via DigiLocker |
| Credit transfer | If your child changes school or board, academic credits travel with the APAAR ID |
| Scholarship tracking | Government scholarships will be linked to APAAR — easier to apply and track |
| Entrance exam integration | CUET, JEE, NEET may link to APAAR for verification in coming years |
| Board exam registration | Some boards are beginning to require APAAR ID for board exam registration |
Is APAAR ID Mandatory
| Status | Details |
|---|---|
| Legally | Currently voluntary — no law forces you to create it |
| Practically | Schools are strongly encouraging it; some are making it a requirement for admission renewal or board exam registration |
| Government push | The Ministry of Education aims to cover all 26+ crore students by 2027-28 |
| Our recommendation | Create it — the process is free, takes 10 minutes, and avoids last-minute rush when it becomes mandatory |
Step-by-Step Registration Process
There are two ways to create an APAAR ID. Most parents will use Method 1 (through school). If your school has not initiated the process, use Method 2 (self via DigiLocker).
Method 1 — Through School (Most Common)
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | School sends a consent form (physical or digital) to parents |
| 2 | Parent fills the consent form with child's details: name, date of birth, class, Aadhaar number |
| 3 | Parent signs and returns the consent form to school |
| 4 | School uploads the data to the APAAR portal (apaar.education.gov.in) |
| 5 | An OTP is sent to the parent's Aadhaar-linked mobile number for verification |
| 6 | Parent shares the OTP with school, or enters it themselves if the school provides a link |
| 7 | APAAR ID is generated and linked to the child's DigiLocker account |
| 8 | Parent can view the APAAR ID by logging into DigiLocker |
Method 2 — Self Registration via DigiLocker
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Go to digilocker.gov.in or download the DigiLocker app |
| 2 | Log in with your Aadhaar number or mobile number |
| 3 | If your child is a minor, use the parent's DigiLocker account and add the child's profile |
| 4 | Navigate to "Education" section → look for "APAAR ID" or "Academic Bank of Credits" |
| 5 | Enter the child's details: full name (as on Aadhaar), date of birth, Aadhaar number, school name, admission year, class |
| 6 | Verify with OTP sent to the Aadhaar-linked mobile number |
| 7 | APAAR ID is generated — a 12-digit number is displayed |
| 8 | Download the APAAR card from DigiLocker for your records |
Method 3 — Via ABC (Academic Bank of Credits) Portal
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Go to abc.gov.in |
| 2 | Click "Create APAAR ID" or "Student Registration" |
| 3 | Enter Aadhaar details and verify with OTP |
| 4 | Select your institution (school/college) from the dropdown |
| 5 | Enter enrollment details (class, admission year, roll number) |
| 6 | Submit — APAAR ID is generated and linked to your ABC account |
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Documents You Need
| Document | Why It Is Needed |
|---|---|
| Child's Aadhaar card | Primary identity verification — name and date of birth must match |
| Parent's Aadhaar card | For consent verification (OTP goes to parent's Aadhaar-linked mobile) |
| School details | School name, class, admission year — school's UDISE code may be needed |
| Mobile number | Aadhaar-linked mobile number for OTP verification |
| Passport-size photo | Some schools ask for this on the consent form (not always required) |
The Consent Form — What You Are Signing
When the school sends a consent form, parents sometimes worry about what they are agreeing to. Here is what the standard consent form contains:
| Section | What It Says |
|---|---|
| Student details | Name, class, section, date of birth, Aadhaar number |
| Parent/Guardian details | Name, relationship, contact number, Aadhaar number |
| Consent statement | "I consent to the creation of APAAR ID for my child and authorize the school to use Aadhaar for verification" |
| Data sharing | Student's academic records may be shared with education departments and scholarship bodies |
| Voluntary declaration | The form states that participation is voluntary |
What you are NOT consenting to: Sharing data with private companies, marketing, or any non-educational use. APAAR data is governed by government data protection rules.
Common Errors and How to Fix Them
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "Aadhaar verification failed" | Name mismatch between school records and Aadhaar | Update Aadhaar or school records to match exactly (even spelling differences cause failure) |
| "OTP not received" | Aadhaar linked to old mobile number | Visit nearest Aadhaar centre and update mobile number first |
| "Student not found in school database" | School has not uploaded student data to UDISE+ | Ask school to complete UDISE+ data entry first |
| "APAAR ID already exists" | ID was created earlier (possibly by a previous school) | Log into DigiLocker to check — you may already have one |
| "Institution not listed" | School not yet registered on APAAR portal | Ask school administration to register on apaar.education.gov.in |
| "Date of birth mismatch" | Different DOB in school records vs Aadhaar | Get both records corrected to show the same DOB |
| "Technical error / server down" | High traffic on the portal | Try again after a few hours or during off-peak times (early morning/late night) |
How to Check If Your Child Already Has an APAAR ID
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| DigiLocker | Log in → Education section → Check for APAAR ID |
| ABC Portal | Go to abc.gov.in → Log in with Aadhaar → Check "My APAAR" section |
| Ask the school | The school office can check their APAAR portal dashboard |
Privacy Concerns — Honest Answers
| Concern | Reality |
|---|---|
| "Will my child's data be sold to companies?" | No. APAAR data is managed by the Ministry of Education and stored on government servers. It is not shared with private companies for commercial use. |
| "Is Aadhaar linkage safe?" | APAAR uses the same Aadhaar verification as DigiLocker, which is used by millions for government services. OTP-based verification means nobody can create an APAAR ID without your consent. |
| "Can I delete the APAAR ID later?" | Currently, there is no delete option. However, you can deactivate the ID by raising a request through the school or ABC portal. |
| "What if we change schools?" | The APAAR ID travels with the student. The new school links to the existing ID — no need to create a new one. |
| "What if I refuse to create it?" | Currently, there is no penalty for refusing. However, your child may face inconvenience during board exam registration, scholarship applications, or school transfers in the future as the system becomes more integrated. |
APAAR ID vs Other Student IDs — Comparison
| Feature | APAAR ID | UDISE+ ID | Aadhaar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Lifelong academic identity | School identification | Universal citizen identity |
| Unique to student | Yes | No (linked to school, not student) | Yes |
| Follows across schools | Yes | No (changes with school change) | Yes |
| Stores academic records | Yes (via ABC) | No | No |
| Mandatory | Not yet | For schools, yes | For many services, effectively yes |
| Who creates it | Parent consent + school/DigiLocker | School | Aadhaar centre |
Timeline — When to Create It
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| School sent a circular | Create it within the deadline given by school |
| No circular yet | Create it proactively via DigiLocker — avoid the rush |
| Child in Class 9-10 | Create now — board exam registration may require it |
| Child in Class 1-8 | No urgency, but creating it early means records build from the start |
| Child entering college | Create if not already done — ABC portal and university admissions will ask |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is APAAR ID the same as ABC ID? They are closely linked. APAAR is the unique student identity number. ABC (Academic Bank of Credits) is the platform where academic credits are stored. Your APAAR ID is used to log into and access the ABC. Think of APAAR as the account number and ABC as the bank.
Q2. My child's school has not sent any circular about APAAR. Should I wait? You do not need to wait. You can create the APAAR ID yourself via DigiLocker or abc.gov.in. Schools will eventually ask for it, and having it ready saves time.
Q3. Can APAAR ID be created without Aadhaar? Currently, Aadhaar is the primary verification method. For students who do not have Aadhaar, some states are working on alternative verification (school enrollment number + parent verification), but Aadhaar remains the standard route.
Q4. My child studies in a private unaffiliated school. Can they get an APAAR ID? The school needs to be registered on the UDISE+ portal for the school-based route. If the school is not registered, you can try the self-registration route via DigiLocker, but you may face issues during institution selection. Contact your school administration about UDISE+ registration.
Q5. Is there a mobile app for APAAR? There is no standalone APAAR app. The APAAR ID is accessed through the DigiLocker app (available on Android and iOS) or the ABC website (abc.gov.in).
Q6. What if two siblings need APAAR IDs? Each child gets a separate APAAR ID linked to their own Aadhaar. One parent can create APAAR IDs for multiple children using the parent's DigiLocker account.
Q7. Will APAAR replace the school ID card? No. APAAR is a digital academic identity, not a physical ID card. Your child's school ID card remains as it is. APAAR works alongside it as a digital record keeper.
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