The Supreme Court On Monday he directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to implement the directions of the Orissa High Court on the APAAR ID consent process across the country. The court also asked the board to look into concerns related to parental consent and data protection while hearing a petition challenging the constitutional validity of the scheme.The observations have again highlighted the Automated Permanent Academic Account Register (APAAR). While the government is describing it as an important step towards building a digital education ecosystem, the scheme has also sparked debate about privacy, consent and the use of students’ personal data.So what exactly is APAAR, how does it work, and why has it come under legal scrutiny?
What is APAAR?
APAAR, short for Automated Permanent Academic Account Register, 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 academic identification number for life.Unlike a school registration number, the APAAR ID stays with a student throughout their educational journey, from pre-school to higher education and skill development programmes. The goal is to create a unique, verified academic identity that can securely store educational records in digital format.The Ministry of Education says the system is designed to reduce paperwork, simplify case management and make it easier for students to access their academic credentials whenever needed.
Consent Form APAAR ID: Meaning
The APAAR ID Consent Form is a document that asks parents or legal guardians (or adult students, if applicable) to provide informed consent before a student’s data is used to create an Automatic Permanent Academic Account Register (APAAR) 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 recognized schools, colleges and educational institutions.The identifier can store information such as:
- Note sheets and report cards
- Board examination certificates
- Degrees and diplomas
- Academic credits
- Scholarships and awards
- Complementary and extracurricular achievements
- Certificates of skills and records of professional training
Much of this information is designed to integrate with DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), allowing students to access digitally verified educational documents instead of relying on physical certificates.
Reason why APAAR was introduced
The government says APAAR is part of its broader effort to modernize India’s education system through digital technology.According to the Ministry of Education, the system is expected to:
- Create a unique academic identity for each student.
- Reduce duplication and errors in educational records.
- Facilitate transfer between schools and institutions.
- Enable seamless certificate verification.
- Help students preserve academic records throughout their lives.
- Improving policy planning through accurate education data.
Education authorities also believe that a unified student database can help monitor enrollment, reduce dropouts and support better implementation of government programs.
It is linked to APAAR Aadhaar ?
One of the major points of controversy surrounding APAAR is its connection with Aadhaar. Although the government has repeatedly claimed 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 required to obtain Aadhaar to participate in the system.The petition currently before the Supreme Court claims that such a link could undermine constitutional protections, especially if the APAAR becomes necessary for testing, admissions or other educational services.
APAAR reached the Supreme Court: Reasons
The case before the Supreme Court was filed by the parents of four students, who challenged the constitutional validity of the regime.The petition raises several concerns, including:
- If students are indirectly required to obtain Aadhaar.
- If parents receive authentic and informed consent prior to enrollment.
- 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 truly voluntary, parents must have the option to refuse enrollment or opt out before their child’s data is collected. It also observed that education cannot be made conditional on obtaining Aadhaar and allowing parents to withdraw consent later is not a substitute for obtaining informed consent at the outset.The Supreme Court has now said that these directions should be implemented across the country as the Center did not challenge the High Court’s verdict.
Opinion of the Supreme Court
During Monday’s hearing, the Supreme Court recognized that the APAAR serves a legitimate public purpose by helping to create a reliable academic identity for students and improve educational administration.Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that the initiative could help authorities maintain accurate student records, implement education reforms more effectively and improve planning across the school system.However, the Board also made it clear that the scheme cannot operate outside the legal framework governing personal data. He said that CBSE needs to look into the concerns related to parental consent and ensure that the 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 stress that their 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 indicates that while digital reforms are welcome, they must be implemented in a way that respects constitutional rights and data protection laws.As the legal challenge continues, APAAR remains one of the most important digital education initiatives under NEP 2020, one that seeks to simplify the management of academic records while balancing the equally important concerns of privacy, consent, and accountability.