APAAR ID: India’s new Aadhaar-like student ID system aims to revolutionise education

India's digital transformation, where the sweeping wave of the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has redrawn the contours of sectors from finance to governance, a new feather is set to grace its cap — the APAAR ID. This isn't another verse in the Aadhaar symphony, but a distinctive melody resonating through the corridors of education.

With over 30 crore students navigating the intricate landscape of India's academic realm, the APAAR ID aims to illuminate the path toward an integrated and digitised educational experience. As the nation's DPI continues to script success stories, the APAAR ID emerges as a pivotal chapter, weaving a narrative that promises to revolutionise the way academic credentials are authenticated, stored, and accessed, introducing the nation to the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC).

Digital haven for academic credentials

APAAR, a component of the Union government's 'One nation, One Student ID' initiative, is a key element derived from the 2020 National Education Policy. The ABC IDs, introduced by the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR), mandate every student in India, from pre-primary to higher education, to register for a unique 12-digit code.

This code serves as a lifelong identification number, allowing students to digitally store, manage, and access all their academic credits, including degrees, diplomas, certificates, training and skilling details, and co-curricular accomplishments.

Similar to the revolutionary Aadhaar system that transformed the financial landscape of the country, the ABC IDs aim to create inclusiveness in the education sector. By providing a centralised digital repository, the government aims to make academic credits easily accessible, paving the way for a seamless education experience and efficient verification processes.

Unboxing the ABC ID: A digilocker for authenticated academic credentials

The ABC ID operates as a Digilocker for academic credentials, enabling students to store their achievements securely. Linked to the ABC is a digital repository developed in collaboration with the National Academic Depository (NAD).

This repository ensures that academic credits, generated and uploaded by educational institutions, are added to the ABC via the National Credit Framework (NCrF), responsible for the creditisation of all learning outcomes.

One of the key advantages of the ABC system is its authentication process. Unlike traditional methods that required photocopies signed by gazetted officers, the APAAR ID relies on digital records authenticated at the source. This eliminates the need for physical document submissions, minimises the risk of forged records, and expedites the verification process for institutions and employers.

Ensuring security and inclusiveness

As the implementation of APAAR ID gains momentum, concerns about data security and large-scale inclusion have been raised. The success of the system hinges on addressing these concerns to ensure a smooth rollout.

To accelerate the procedure, the Union Ministry of Education (MoE) has instructed state governments and Union Territories to implement APAAR ID. Educational institutions are mandated to obtain parental consent and store students' degrees and awards in the digital locker for authenticity and safe storage.

The introduction of APAAR ID and the Academic Bank of Credits marks a significant leap toward a digitised and inclusive education system in India. As the government continues to digitise various sectors, the success of the ABC system could revolutionise the way academic credentials are managed, verified, and accessed, ultimately powering the nation's human resources and driving economic growth.