APAAR ID Explained: India’s New One Nation, One Student ID—Everything Parents & Students Must Know in 2025

In 2025, one of the most talked-about topics in Indian education is the APAAR ID—short for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry ID. Popularly known as the “One Nation, One Student ID”, this initiative is part of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to transform how student records are maintained, verified, and accessed.

From CBSE board exams to higher education admissions, APAAR ID is quickly becoming a must-have for every student in India. But what exactly is it? Why has it been made mandatory by some boards? And what are the real benefits and challenges of this digital student ID? Let’s break it down.

What Is APAAR ID?

APAAR ID is a unique 12-digit digital identification number assigned to each student in India. The idea is simple yet powerful—every student, from primary school to higher education, will carry the same ID for life.

This ID is linked with DigiLocker, the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), and the National Academic Depository (NAD). That means all your marksheets, degrees, diplomas, skill certificates, and even extracurricular achievements will be stored securely in one place—accessible anytime, anywhere.

Why Is APAAR ID Important?

1. Single Academic Identity: Students won’t need to worry about lost certificates or repeated verifications.

2. Smooth Transfers & Admissions: Switching schools or universities becomes easier, as records can be instantly verified.

3. Skill & Credit Tracking: With ABC integration, students can earn, store, and transfer credits across institutions.

4. Fraud Prevention: Fake degrees and forged marksheets can be eliminated with digital verification.

5. Parental Access: For minors, parents can monitor academic progress through linked accounts.

Mandatory Rules in 2025

• CBSE Mandate: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made APAAR ID mandatory for all students appearing in board exams for 2025–26. Schools have already begun generating APAAR IDs to ensure students are eligible for the final candidate list.

• State Board Variations: In states like Madhya Pradesh, the requirement has been relaxed temporarily due to technical issues, allowing students more time to register.

• Coverage Across India: Districts like Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka report over 82% of students already having APAAR IDs, though migrant students face delays due to mismatched Aadhaar details.

How to Register for APAAR ID

1. School Registration: Schools initiate the process through the UDISE+ portal.

2. Parental Consent: For students under 18, parents must approve using Aadhaar-linked consent forms.

3. Verification: Demographic details are matched with Aadhaar.

4. DigiLocker Integration: Once verified, the APAAR ID is generated and stored in the student’s DigiLocker account.

Students or parents can later log in and download the APAAR ID card from the official APAAR portal.

Challenges & Concerns

While the concept is futuristic, it has faced some roadblocks:

• Technical Glitches: Many students report delays due to mismatches in Aadhaar data.

• Registration Confusion: In Mumbai, medical aspirants struggled as registration portals mistakenly treated APAAR ID as mandatory.

• Data Privacy Concerns: Parents worry about central storage of sensitive academic data, though the government assures consent-based access.

The Bigger Picture

Despite these hiccups, APAAR ID is a game-changing reform for India’s education system. Imagine never needing to carry multiple certificates or worrying about lost documents—your academic journey will be stored digitally, secure for a lifetime.

This move also aligns with Digital India’s vision, reducing paperwork, improving transparency, and giving students more flexibility in learning and credit transfers.

Conclusion

The APAAR ID is more than just a number—it’s the future of academic record-keeping in India. While CBSE has made it compulsory for board exams, other states are gradually catching up. Yes, there are technical and privacy concerns, but the long-term benefits—streamlined education, fraud prevention, and ease of access—make it a step forward for students, parents, and institutions alike.

If you are a parent or student in 2025, the takeaway is clear: get your APAAR ID registered as soon as possible. Not only will it help in exams and admissions, but it will also be your child’s permanent academic passport for life.