APAAR ID for Schools: Generation, UDISE+ Linking and Common Problems
APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) is a 12-digit lifelong student ID created under NEP 2020 and linked to DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits. Schools generate it for their students through the UDISE+ portal after collecting written parental consent and matching each student's details with Aadhaar. CBSE uses APAAR IDs in Class 9 and 11 registrations and Class 10 and 12 board exam candidate lists, so schools should finish generation well before those deadlines.
Deadlines, formats and exceptions are set by the Ministry of Education, UDISE+ and your board, and they change. Use this as an overview, and check the current CBSE circulars and the UDISE+ portal before acting.
What APAAR is
APAAR stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. It is part of the "One Nation, One Student ID" initiative under the National Education Policy 2020. Each student gets a unique 12-digit ID that stays with them from school to higher education and employment, and links their academic records, certificates and credits in DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC).
For a school, APAAR does three things:
- It gives every student a permanent identity that does not change when they move schools.
- It connects the school's student records in UDISE+ to a national registry.
- It is increasingly required by boards, starting with board exam registrations.
Why it matters now
CBSE has asked schools to use students' APAAR IDs when submitting Class 9 and 11 registrations and the List of Candidates (LOC) for Class 10 and 12 board exams. Reports in 2025 also noted that CBSE later allowed schools to mark some students as unable to generate an ID, so check the current circular for how exceptions are handled in your session. State boards are moving the same way at different speeds.
How schools generate APAAR IDs
The broad process:
- Make sure UDISE+ student data is accurate. APAAR is generated from the student's record in UDISE+, so the name, date of birth, gender and parent details must be right there first. See our UDISE+ data entry checklist.
- Collect parental consent. Parents sign a consent form allowing the school to use the child's Aadhaar details to create the APAAR ID. Keep the signed forms on file.
- Verify against Aadhaar. The student's details are verified against Aadhaar. This is where most failures happen.
- Generate the ID in UDISE+ for verified students.
- Record the APAAR ID in your own school records and student information system, so it appears on registrations, transfer certificates and reports.
- Track progress class by class, and follow up on students who are stuck.
The most common problem: data mismatches
The commonest reason an APAAR ID cannot be generated is that the student's details in school records do not match Aadhaar:
| Mismatch | Typical cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Name spelling | Admission register spelt differently from Aadhaar | Correct the school record if Aadhaar is right, with documentary proof |
| Date of birth | Wrong date entered at admission, or Aadhaar has an error | Correct whichever record is wrong; Aadhaar corrections take time |
| Missing Aadhaar | Student has no Aadhaar yet | Help the family enrol, and record the student as pending |
| Gender or parent name | Data entry errors | Correct with proof |
Aadhaar corrections through UIDAI can take weeks, so start early. A student whose details are wrong in your system will also have wrong details on report cards, certificates and board registrations, so fixing the school record is worth doing regardless of APAAR.
A practical plan for the school office
- Assign an owner for APAAR and UDISE+ in the office, with a backup.
- Start with board classes (9 to 12), then work down.
- Run a data quality check before generation: blank Aadhaar numbers, impossible dates of birth, duplicate students.
- Send consent forms with a short explanation for parents, in the languages they read.
- Keep a status list per student: consent received, verified, generated, failed (with reason).
- Store consent forms securely. They contain Aadhaar details and fall under the DPDP Act. See our DPDP guide for schools.
Keep one accurate student record
APAAR, UDISE+, board registrations and transfer certificates all depend on the same few fields being correct. A school that keeps one student record, rather than separate registers for admissions, exams and the office, fixes a mismatch once. EduVizio keeps each student on one record, supports UDISE+ export alongside affiliations, inspections and document tracking, and has Aadhaar fields built in. See features.
Frequently asked questions
What is the full form of APAAR?
Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. It is a 12-digit lifelong academic ID for students in India, introduced under NEP 2020.
Who generates the APAAR ID for a student?
The student's school, through the UDISE+ portal, after collecting parental consent and verifying the student's details against Aadhaar.
Is APAAR ID mandatory for CBSE board exams?
CBSE has asked schools to include APAAR IDs in Class 9 and 11 registrations and Class 10 and 12 board exam candidate lists, with a process for students who cannot get one. Check the latest CBSE circular for the current session.
What if a student's name does not match Aadhaar?
Find out which record is wrong. If the school record is wrong, correct it with documentary proof; if Aadhaar is wrong, the family must request a correction from UIDAI, which can take several weeks.