Ministry of Education & UGC Accelerate 12-Digit APAAR 'One Nation One Student ID' Rollout Across India
📜 Official Gazette Notification & Authority Reference
Document Reference: Implementation Guidelines for APAAR & ABC Credit Accumulation under NEP 2020 (Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) - Ministry of Education)
Verify on Official Government Portal ↗📌 Key Statutory Takeaways at a Glance
- ✓Permanent 12-digit lifelong academic identifier assigned from kindergarten through doctoral studies.
- ✓Eliminates paper marksheet verification during school transfers, university admissions, and government recruitments.
- ✓Linked with DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) to accumulate transferable course credits.
- ✓Parental consent mandatory for minor students (under 18 years); voluntary opt-out provisions maintained.
- ✓Direct gateway to central and state government student scholarships via National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
In execution of the structural vision outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) have issued binding administrative directives to all state education boards (CBSE, CISCE, State Boards) and central/state universities to accelerate the registration of all enrolled students on the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR).
What Is the APAAR ID & Why Is It Called 'EduLocker'?
APAAR functions as a foundational digital educational passport. Each student is assigned a unique, random 12-digit lifelong alphanumeric identification number. The system records all educational milestones: primary school progression, board examination results (Class 10 and 12 marksheets), technical diplomas, undergraduate degree credits, sports accomplishments, Olympiad rankings, and vocational skill certifications.
Integration with Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)
For higher education students enrolled in degree colleges, IITs, IIMs, and central universities, the APAAR ID connects directly to the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) under UGC Regulations. Under the Multiple Entry and Exit System (MEES), if a student completes one year of college and leaves, their accumulated academic credits remain safely stored in their ABC account for up to 7 years, allowing them to resume their degree at any accredited Indian university without starting from scratch.
Strict Data Privacy & Parental Consent Protocols
Addressing citizen data privacy concerns, the Ministry of Education has mandated that for all minor students (under 18 years of age), schools cannot generate an APAAR ID without a signed, written Parental Consent Form. Parents retain the statutory right to withdraw their consent at any point, upon which the student's personal data is unlinked from the public registry.
🛡️ Action for Students and Parents
- School students: Fill out the physical or digital parental consent form provided by your school administration to authorize UDISE+ record linking.
- College and university students: Visit www.abc.gov.in or log into DigiLocker, select 'Academic Bank of Credits', enter your university enrollment number, and download your digital APAAR / ABC card.
- Quote your APAAR ID on all National Scholarship Portal (NSP) applications for automated eligibility verification.
Quick Document Guide: APAAR Card & Academic Bank of Credits (ABC ID / One Nation One Student ID)
Lifelong 12-digit unique digital student identity and academic credit repository launched under the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and UGC Regulations, 2021 by the Ministry of Education, integrating the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) and Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) via DigiLocker
View Step-by-Step Guide →