APAAR ID: One Nation, One Student ID

GS II- Governance

Overview

The Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID was introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to standardize student records across the country. While designed to enhance educational transitions, concerns regarding implementation and data privacy have led to significant debates among activists.

Key Features of APAAR ID

• Objective: The initiative is aligned with the National Credit Framework, creating a “One Nation, One Student ID” system to ensure a seamless academic record-keeping process.
• Structure:
  • Students are assigned a unique 12-digit APAAR ID, which is linked to DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits for secure storage and verification of academic records.
  • Schools record and maintain student data, while Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Skill Development Institutes can access verified records for admissions and recruitment purposes.

Concerns and Challenges

Aadhaar Linkage Issues:

• • The integration of Aadhaar with APAAR has led to discrepancies due to spelling mismatches, requiring corrections and updates in official records.

Mandatory vs. Voluntary Debate:

• • • The Education Ministry states that APAAR enrollment is voluntary. However, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has been actively pushing for 100% registration, raising concerns that it may become de facto mandatory.
    • Critics argue that this approach contradicts the Supreme Court’s ruling in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2019), which stated that Aadhaar cannot be a prerequisite for accessing basic education.

Data Privacy Risks:

• • Advocacy groups have expressed concerns over the handling of minors’ sensitive personal data, particularly in the absence of a strong data protection framework.
  • The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, which is yet to be fully enforced, mandates that consent must be free, informed, and unambiguous—a standard that critics claim is not being upheld in APAAR’s implementation.

While the APAAR ID system aims to create a centralized and efficient academic record-keeping process, its privacy concerns, Aadhaar-related issues, and enforcement challenges continue to spark debates. Ensuring that participation remains genuinely voluntary and implementing robust data protection measures will be critical for its ethical and effective execution.