The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to implement the Orissa High Court’s directions on the APAAR ID consent process across the country. The court also asked the board to examine concerns related to parental consent and data protection while hearing a petition challenging the constitutional validity of the scheme.The observations have once again brought the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) into the spotlight. While the government describes it as a major step towards building a digital education ecosystem, the scheme has also sparked debate over privacy, consent and the use of students’ personal data.So, what exactly is APAAR, how does it work, and why has it become the subject of legal scrutiny?
What is APAAR?
APAAR, short for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry, is a nationwide student identification system introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It aims to provide every student in India with a unique 12-digit lifelong academic identification number.Unlike a school roll number, the APAAR ID stays with a student throughout their educational journey, from pre-primary school to higher education and skill development programmes. The objective is to create a single, verified academic identity that can securely store educational records in digital form.The Ministry of Education says the system is designed to reduce paperwork, simplify record management and make it easier for students to access their academic credentials whenever required.
APAAR ID Consent form: Meaning
The APAAR ID consent form is a document through which parents or legal guardians (or adult students, where applicable) are asked to give informed consent before a student’s details are used to create an APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) ID.
How does APAAR work?
The APAAR ID acts as a digital repository of a student’s educational achievements. Once created, it can be linked to records generated by schools, colleges and recognised educational institutions.The ID can store information such as:
- Marksheets and report cards
- Board examination certificates
- Degrees and diplomas
- Academic credits
- Scholarships and awards
- Co-curricular and extracurricular achievements
- Skill certifications and vocational training records
Much of this information is intended to be integrated with DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), enabling students to access verified educational documents digitally instead of relying on physical certificates.
Reason APAAR was introduced
The government says APAAR is part of its broader effort to modernise India’s education system through digital technology.According to the Ministry of Education, the system is expected to:
- Create a single academic identity for every student.
- Reduce duplication and errors in educational records.
- Make transfer between schools and institutions easier.
- Enable seamless verification of certificates.
- Help students preserve academic records throughout their lifetime.
- Improve policy planning through accurate educational data.
Education authorities also believe that a unified student database can help monitor enrolment, reduce dropouts and support better implementation of government schemes.
Is APAAR linked to Aadhaar ?
One of the biggest points of controversy surrounding APAAR is its connection with Aadhaar. Although the government has repeatedly stated that APAAR is a voluntary initiative, the identification process generally relies on Aadhaar-based verification to establish a student’s identity. This has led some parents and legal experts to argue that students are indirectly being compelled to obtain Aadhaar in order to participate in the system.The petition currently before the Supreme Court contends that such linkage could undermine constitutional protections, particularly if APAAR becomes necessary for examinations, admissions or other educational services.
APAAR reached the Supreme Court: Reasons for it
The case before the Supreme Court was filed by the parents of four students, who have challenged the constitutional validity of the scheme.The petition raises several concerns, including:
- Whether students are being indirectly compelled to obtain Aadhaar.
- Whether parents are given genuine, informed consent before enrolment.
- Whether children’s personal information is adequately protected.
- Whether students should have the right to withdraw consent or request deletion of their data.
The petitioners have argued that the current consent mechanism does not fully comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, particularly with respect to informed consent and data rights.
What did the Orissa High Court say?
In December 2025, the Orissa High Court directed the Ministry of Education to revise the model APAAR consent form.The court held that if the scheme is genuinely voluntary, parents must have the option to refuse enrolment or opt out before their child’s data is collected. It also observed that education cannot be made conditional on obtaining Aadhaar and that allowing parents to withdraw consent later is not a substitute for obtaining informed consent at the beginning.The Supreme Court has now said these directions should be implemented across the country since the Centre did not challenge the High Court’s ruling.
Supreme Court’s view
During Monday’s hearing, the Supreme Court acknowledged that APAAR serves a legitimate public purpose by helping create a reliable academic identity for students and improving educational administration.Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that the initiative could help authorities maintain accurate student records, implement educational reforms more effectively and improve planning across the school system.However, the Bench also made it clear that the scheme cannot operate outside the legal framework governing personal data. It said CBSE must examine concerns relating to parental consent and ensure that implementation remains consistent with the provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
What does this mean for students and parents?
The Supreme Court’s latest observations do not suspend the APAAR scheme. Instead, they reinforce that its implementation must be accompanied by stronger safeguards for privacy and informed consent.For parents, the decision could mean clearer consent forms and greater choice before enrolling their children. For education authorities, it signals that while digital reforms are welcome, they must be implemented in a manner that respects constitutional rights and data protection laws.As the legal challenge continues, APAAR remains one of the most significant digital education initiatives under the NEP 2020—one that seeks to simplify academic record management while balancing the equally important concerns of privacy, consent and accountability.
