The Indian government is planning to launch a new initiative called APAAR, which stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. This initiative is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to transform the education system in India. APAAR is also known as “One Nation, One Student ID”, as it will provide a unique identification number to every student from pre-primary to higher education.
Benefits of APAAR
APAAR will have several benefits for students, parents, teachers, and educational institutions. Some of the benefits are:
- APAAR will enable students to track their academic journey and achievements digitally, including co-curricular accomplishments such as ranking in Olympiads or receiving specialised skill training.
- APAAR will facilitate the admission process for students transferring from one school to another or from one state to another, as they will not have to produce multiple documents or certificates.
- APAAR will help in creating a comprehensive database of students, which will help in planning and implementing various educational policies and programmes.
- APAAR will also help in ensuring quality and transparency in the education system, as it will enable verification and authentication of student records and credentials.
Enrolment Process
The enrolment process for APAAR will be carried out by the schools, with the consent of the parents. The parents will have the right to withdraw their consent at any time. The schools will update the essential student details such as name, date of birth, gender, blood group, height, weight, etc. using the Aadhaar ID data as the foundation for APAAR ID.
The schools will also explain the significance and benefits of APAAR ID to the parents and students. The government has directed the schools to host meetings involving teachers and parents from October 16-18 to disseminate information effectively.
Data Security
The government has assured that the data collected for APAAR will be confidential and secure. The data will be shared only with concerned government agencies if and when required. The data will also be encrypted and protected by various security measures. The government has also stated that APAAR ID will not replace the existing Aadhaar ID, but will serve as a supplementary identity number specifically tailored for students.
APAAR is a pioneering initiative that aims to create a seamless and standardized identification system for students across the nation. It is expected to bring about positive changes in the education sector by enhancing efficiency, quality, and transparency. It is also expected to benefit students by providing them with a lifelong digital record of their academic journey and achievements.
