The government is set to expand the “One Nation, One Student ID” initiative to schools, aligning with the objectives outlined in the National Education Policy 2020, according to officials cited by HT. This initiative entails the issuance of an Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) card to school students, featuring a distinctive 12-digit ID. Initially launched in higher education, the program has already issued APAAR IDs to over 22 million students.
Aadhaar-Verified APAAR Card: A Lifelong Academic Identifier and Digital Gateway
Functioning as an Aadhaar-verified ID, the APAAR card serves as a gateway to students’ Academic Bank of Credit (ABC), a digital repository for academic credits. Furthermore, it provides access to Digilocker, a digital platform for storing important documents like mark sheets and certificates. Ultimately, the APAAR ID aims to serve as a lifelong identifier for students, covering the educational journey from pre-primary to PhD.
State Autonomy in Education: The Optional Adoption of NEP 2020 Initiatives and the Promising ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ Program
It’s essential to recognize that, since education is under the jurisdiction of individual states, the adoption of initiatives outlined in the NEP 2020 is not mandatory for states. Anil Sahasrabuddhe, the chairperson of the National Educational Technology Forum, a division within the education ministry, informed HT that discussions are ongoing with various state governments regarding the implementation of the “One Nation, One Student ID” initiative in schools.
According to Sahasrabuddhe, this initiative is expected to streamline processes for students, schools, and the entire education system. The issuance of the unique 12-digit Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) card under this initiative will facilitate the monitoring of students’ academic progress from pre-primary education through higher education. This seamless continuity is particularly advantageous for students whose parents have jobs that involve transfers.
