NEP 2020 Hub

APAAR ID — Your Lifetime Academic Identity

One ID. Every marksheet. From Class 9 to PhD. Here's what APAAR means for YOU.

A student holding a smartphone showing a digital academic ID card

The basics

What is APAAR ID?

APAAR stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. Launched in 2024 under NEP 2020, it is a 12-digit unique ID that follows every student through their entire academic life — think of it as an Aadhaar for your education.

  • Launched September 2024 (pilot in 9 states including Maharashtra)
  • Coverage: Class 9 → PhD
  • Format: 12-digit numeric, prefixed with a state code
  • Issued by the Ministry of Education + NIC
  • Linked to Aadhaar (optional but recommended)

Why it matters

6 reasons students need APAAR

  1. 01

    One ID, lifetime validity

    Change schools, colleges or universities — your APAAR stays the same.

  2. 02

    Digital marksheets & certificates

    All your academic records stored digitally. Lost a marksheet? Just log in and download.

  3. 03

    APAAR + DigiLocker

    Creating an APAAR ID auto-fetches your Class 10, 12, graduation and PG certificates into DigiLocker.

  4. 04

    Faster admissions

    Colleges verify your previous records in 30 seconds — no more sending ten physical documents.

  5. 05

    APAAR + Academic Bank of Credits

    Your credits link to your APAAR ID, so you can transfer colleges without losing them.

  6. 06

    Future-proof your education

    By 2027, APAAR ID is expected to be mandatory for all higher-education admissions. Get it now.

Benefits

What APAAR unlocks

For students

  • Colleges verify records in seconds
  • Government schemes auto-match your profile
  • Many new scholarships require APAAR
  • Share a verified profile in one click
  • Pan-India mobility — records follow you

For parents

  • Track your child's progress in one dashboard
  • Apply for scholarships with verified data
  • See who has accessed your child's records
  • Get alerts for missing certificates
  • Plan long-term: credits, transfers, attendance

How to get it

Create your APAAR ID — 3 ways

1

Through your school

Your principal submits your Aadhaar + Class 9 details on UDISE+. Your APAAR ID is generated and sent via SMS + DigiLocker.

2

Self-registration

Sign in at apaar.education.gov.in or DigiLocker with your Aadhaar OTP, fill in your details, and download your generated APAAR ID.

3

Via EduPath (guided)

WhatsApp “APAAR” to us. A counsellor guides you, we create the ID and link it to your ABC account within 48 hours.

Documents required

DocumentMandatory?
Aadhaar of parent/guardianYes (if student < 18)
Class 9 enrollment proofYes
School UDISE+ codeYes
Mobile number (Aadhaar-linked)Yes
Email IDOptional
Class 10 marksheetFor Class 10+ students

APAAR vs Aadhaar

What's the difference?

FeatureAadhaarAPAAR
CoverageAll citizens (any age)Students (Class 9 → PhD)
PurposeIdentity proofAcademic identity
MandatoryYes (most contexts)Voluntary (becoming mandatory)
Linked dataBiometric, address, mobileMarksheets, certificates, credits
Use casesBank, SIM, PANCollege, scholarships, jobs

Short version: Aadhaar = who you are. APAAR = what you've learned.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is APAAR ID mandatory?

Currently no, but from 2027 it is expected to be mandatory for all higher-education admissions. Most schools create it automatically.

Is APAAR ID free?

Yes, completely free. There is no fee for creation, modification, or download.

Can I have multiple APAAR IDs?

No, only one per student. If duplicates exist, contact your school's UDISE+ admin.

What if my school didn't create my APAAR ID?

You can self-register via DigiLocker or via EduPath, or ask your principal to do it through UDISE+.

Is APAAR ID linked to Aadhaar?

Optional but recommended. Linking makes credit transfer, scholarships and admissions faster.

Is my APAAR data safe?

Yes. It is stored on government (NIC) servers, encrypted, and accessible only with an Aadhaar OTP.

Can I use APAAR ID abroad?

Not directly, but your APAAR-verified Indian degree is accepted by foreign universities.

What happens if I change my name?

The APAAR ID stays the same. Update your name in DigiLocker and it syncs.

Does APAAR ID replace my roll number?

No. Your board roll number is separate; APAAR is the umbrella academic ID.

Can I delete my APAAR ID?

No, but you can mark it inactive. APAAR is meant to be permanent.

Get your APAAR ID in 48 hours

EduPath offers free, guided APAAR ID assistance — we collect your details, submit to UDISE+/DigiLocker, link your ABC account, and save it to your profile. No cost. No spam.