APAAR ID for School Students: What It Is, How to Create It and Why Schools Are Asking for It

If your child’s school has sent you an APAAR ID consent form, you are not alone. Schools across India are completing APAAR registrations, especially for classes heading to board exams. Here is what the ID is, how it is created, and what your choices are.

What is APAAR ID?

APAAR stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. It is a 12-digit ID that stays with a student for life and links to DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC). The aim is to keep marksheets, certificates and credits in one verified digital record, so changing schools, applying for scholarships or entering college needs less paperwork. Over 26 crore verified APAAR IDs had been created by July 2026, according to reports.

How APAAR ID is created for school students

1. Parent awareness and consent: the school shares a consent form. For minors, a parent or guardian decides.
2. Verification: the school checks the student’s name, date of birth and other details against Aadhaar and school records.
3. Generation: the ID is generated against the student’s PEN (Permanent Education Number) in UDISE+.
4. DigiLocker: the APAAR card then appears in the student’s DigiLocker under Issued Documents.

Students aged 18 or above can create their own APAAR ID in DigiLocker: sign in, search for “APAAR/ABC ID card”, enter institution and admission details, give consent and fetch the card. It can also be created through UMANG, the ABC portal or Common Service Centres.

Is APAAR ID compulsory?

CBSE has linked APAAR with Class 9 and 11 registration and the List of Candidates for Classes 10 and 12, and some state boards, such as UP Board, have asked schools for full coverage. But consent is required, and reports say the Supreme Court has directed that the consent form include a clear opt-out or refusal option. CBSE has allowed schools to proceed by marking entries as refused or not generated, and the UP Board has said students will not be denied exams for not having an APAAR ID. If you decline, give a written refusal and keep a copy.

Why it can be useful

• Digital marksheets and certificates in one place, verified by the issuing body.
• Easier school transfers and fewer document checks at admission.
• Faster verification for scholarships, including on the National Scholarship Portal.
• Credits carried into higher education through the Academic Bank of Credits.

Fixing errors

Most problems come from mismatches between Aadhaar and school records, such as name spellings or dates of birth. Correct the source record first (Aadhaar or the school’s UDISE+ entry), then ask the school to update APAAR and refresh the document in DigiLocker. A student can hold only one APAAR ID, so do not create a second one.

Checklist for parents

• Read the school circular and decide on consent.
• Check that the name and date of birth match Aadhaar and the birth certificate.
• After generation, confirm the card shows in DigiLocker.
• Keep a copy of your consent or refusal.

Applying to a new school for 2027-28? See our documents checklist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the full form of APAAR?

Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. It is a 12-digit lifelong student ID linked to DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits.

How do I create an APAAR ID for my child?

For students under 18, the school creates it through UDISE+ after a parent gives consent. Students aged 18 or above can create it themselves in DigiLocker.

Is APAAR ID mandatory for CBSE board exams?

CBSE has linked APAAR to registration and the List of Candidates, but schools can mark it as refused or not generated, and reports say students should not be denied exams for not having one.

Where can I download the APAAR card?

In DigiLocker, under Issued Documents, once the school has generated it.

What if the name on APAAR is wrong?

Correct the source record (Aadhaar or the school’s UDISE+ data), then ask the school to update APAAR and refresh it in DigiLocker.