APAAR: SC to direct CBSE to comply with HC order, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court will direct the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to ensure the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) scheme is voluntary.
• This directive mandates CBSE to include a clear "opt-out/refusal option" in the APAAR consent forms nationwide.
• The decision follows an Orissa High Court judgment from December 12, 2025, in the case of Rohit Anand Das versus State Of Odisha, which the Centre did not challenge.
• The APAAR initiative, under the National Education Policy 2020, aims to provide a unique, lifelong 12-digit student ID for academic records.

APAAR ID.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, emphasized that while APAAR is beneficial, its implementation must adhere to existing laws.
• Concerns were raised by petitioners regarding the scheme's mandatory nature, its linkage to Aadhaar, and potential violations of data privacy.
• The Orissa High Court had previously ruled that the absence of an explicit refusal option made the scheme effectively mandatory, infringing on the right to privacy.
• The Supreme Court also indicated that CBSE must address concerns related to the protection, storage, and processing of students' personal data.
• APAAR is designed to digitally store academic records, including mark sheets, degrees, and co-curricular achievements, facilitating seamless transitions between institutions.
• The scheme is part of the "One Nation, One Student ID" program, aligning with the government's Digital India mission.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR): A unique 12-digit lifelong digital ID for students to store and manage academic records.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: A comprehensive framework guiding the development of education in India, under which APAAR was launched.
• Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: Legislation governing the processing of digital personal data in India, ensuring data privacy and consent.
• Right to Privacy (Article 21): A fundamental right under the Indian Constitution, invoked in challenges against mandatory data collection without explicit consent.