What is APAAR and What CBSE students in UAE should know

A new directive from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in India on the mandatory submission of APAAR IDs for board exam registration has caused confusion among Indian expat students and parents in the UAE.

Earlier this month, CBSE made it compulsory for students in India to provide APAAR IDs, which are generated using Aadhaar numbers, while registering for the Grade 10 and 12 board exams from 2026 onwards. This led some UAE schools to ask their students for Aadhaar numbers to create APAAR IDs, leaving parents worried as most expatriate children do not hold Aadhaar cards.

APAAR, or Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry, is part of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and is designed to track a student’s academic journey. While Aadhaar is not mandatory for NRIs, it is required to generate APAAR IDs, and obtaining one involves biometric verification in India.

Some schools in the UAE, like International Indian School in Abu Dhabi, had informed parents in advance, while others are still awaiting further guidance from CBSE. Several parents, however, raised concerns over the lack of timely communication, pointing out they could have completed Aadhaar enrolment during summer visits to India.

Clarifying the situation, Dr. Ram Shankar, Director of the CBSE Regional Office and Centre of Excellence in Dubai, said that schools outside India are not required to implement the Aadhaar-based APAAR ID system at this stage. “CBSE will maintain the status quo for foreign schools. Necessary instructions and advisories will be issued soon,” he confirmed.

For now, CBSE students in the UAE can continue with the existing registration process without the need for Aadhaar.

About APAAR

APAAR empowers students to accumulate and store their academic accomplishments, facilitating seamless transitions between institutions for the pursuit of further education. The APAAR ID simplifies the processes of credit recognition and transfer right from the school level, thereby streamlining academic progression and recognition of prior learning.

1. How APAAR Works
   • Schools: Record and manage students’ academic data, achievements, and activities in APAAR.
   • Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Skill Institutes: Access students’ academic history and records for admission and recruitment purposes.
   • Students: Digitally store and retrieve comprehensive academic records, achievements, and co-curricular accomplishments.
   • HEIs/Skill Industries: Access and verify students’ complete academic data for admission or recruitment purposes.
   
   Benefits to Students
   • Unified Academic Identity: A single platform to consolidate and showcase academic records.
   • Streamlining Student Records: Simplifying record-keeping for students, parents, and educators.
   • Digital Repository: Securely storing academic data and achievements.
   • Seamless Academic Mobility: Facilitating smooth transitions between educational levels.
   
   Data Security and Confidentiality
   • APAAR prioritizes data security and confidentiality, sharing information only with necessary government agencies for privacy and security.
   • Consent-based document sharing ensures that students have control over the information shared through APAAR.
   
   Academic Progress Tracking
   • Students can effortlessly monitor their academic journey, enabling personalized study plans and real-time performance analytics.
   • The system aids in skill gap analysis and provides industry-relevant content for upskilling programs.
2. APAAR Registration Process
   • Step 1: Verification: Visit the school to verify demographic details
   • Step 2: Parental Consent: Obtain parental consent if the student is a minor
   • Step 3: Authentication: Authenticate identity through the school
   • Step 4: ID Creation: Upon successful verification, the APAAR ID is created and added to DigiLocker for secure online access
3. Conclusion
   The APAAR initiative represents a transformative leap towards a more organized and accessible education system in the country. By providing a unique academic identity, streamlining records, ensuring data security, and fostering academic mobility, APAAR empowers students to navigate their educational journey with confidence and convenience. As we embrace this innovative approach to education, we anticipate positive outcomes for both students and the education system as a whole.