Supreme Court directs CBSE to revise APAAR consent process

The Supreme Court has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to implement the instructions from the Orissa High Court on the consent process for the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID across the country. Hearing a petition challenging the scheme, the court also asked CBSE to examine concerns related to parental consent, privacy and compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023.

The Bench noted that the Centre had accepted the Orissa High Court’s December 2025 judgement by choosing not to challenge it. Consequently, the Supreme Court said the High Court’s directions must now be implemented nationwide.

APAAR, introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is a unique 12-digit identification number intended to remain with students throughout their academic journey. The digital ID enables learners to maintain a verified record of marksheets, Board certificates, degrees, academic credits, scholarships, skill certificates and extracurricular achievements. The records are integrated with platforms such as DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), making them easier to access and transfer.

The Ministry of Education says APAAR simplifies record management, reduces paperwork, prevents duplication or loss of certificates and supports better educational planning through reliable student data.

However, the scheme has faced legal scrutiny over its consent mechanism. Petitioners argued that although APAAR is described as voluntary, its linkage with Aadhaar leaves parents with limited choice. They also questioned whether the existing consent process adequately meets the DPDP Act’s requirements on informed consent, withdrawal of consent and protection of children’s personal data.

While the Supreme Court has not stayed the APAAR scheme, its latest directions are expected to strengthen safeguards around parental consent and data protection during implementation.