If your child’s school recently sent home a consent form asking you to sign for an “APAAR ID“, you are not alone. Lakhs of parents got the same form, and most had the same questions: What is it? Is it compulsory? Is it safe? And how is it different from the ABC ID my elder child has in college?
This page answers all of that in simple words. You will learn the APAAR ID meaning, how it is created, how to log in and download the APAAR ID card, what the consent form PDF is, and whether APAAR ID and ABC ID are the same.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Full form | Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry |
| Also called | “One Nation, One Student ID” |
| What it is | A 12-digit lifelong student ID |
| Run by | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Linked with | DigiLocker and Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) |
| IDs created | More than 26.35 crore verified IDs (July 2026) |
| Is it compulsory? | No. It needs consent, and you can refuse in writing |
| Cost | Free |
| Official portal | Click Here |
APAAR ID Means What, Exactly?
Think of APAAR as a digital report card that follows a student for life. Your marksheets, certificates, awards and (for college students) academic credits can be stored against one number. When the student changes school, moves to another state, or joins college, the records travel with the ID.
| Without APAAR | With APAAR |
|---|---|
| Physical marksheets that can get lost | Digital records in DigiLocker |
| New verification every time you change school | Records move with the student |
| Credits from different colleges are hard to combine | Credits stored in the Academic Bank of Credits |
APAAR ID and ABC ID Are Same?
Short answer: For college and university students, yes, they are now the same number.
| Point | APAAR ID | ABC ID |
|---|---|---|
| For | All students (school and higher education) | Higher education students |
| Purpose | Lifelong academic ID and records | Storing academic credits earned in college |
| Relation | The ABC system now uses the APAAR ID as the student’s ID | If you create an ABC ID, you get an APAAR ID |
So, if your college asks for an ABC ID and you already have an APAAR ID, you usually give the same 12-digit number.
Is APAAR ID Compulsory?
No. This is important.
- APAAR is created only with consent. For students below 18, a parent or guardian gives consent.
- The Supreme Court directed that the consent form must have a clear option to refuse.
- Schools must accept a written refusal and still process the student’s records for exams.
- If you refuse, keep a copy of your signed refusal.
You can still choose APAAR if you find it useful, especially for students who may change schools or study in different states.
How Is an APAAR ID Created?
For School Students (Below 18): Through the School
- The school sends a consent form to parents.
- Parents read it, choose consent or refusal, and sign it.
- If consent is given, the school verifies the student’s details (as in Aadhaar and school records) and creates the APAAR ID in bulk through its education portal.
- The school shares the APAAR ID with the parents.
- Parents can later see it in the student’s DigiLocker.
For Students Aged 18 and Above: Through DigiLocker
- Open DigiLocker. To open it, Click Here.
- Sign up / log in with your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Search for “APAAR / ABC ID Card”.
- Enter your institution name and admission details.
- Tick the consent box and click “Get Document”.
- Your APAAR ID card is saved in DigiLocker.
APAAR ID Consent Form and Form PDF
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the APAAR form? | A consent form that asks parents (or adult students) to allow the creation of an APAAR ID |
| Where do I get the form PDF? | Your school gives it; many state education departments and schools also share the PDF |
| What does it contain? | Student and parent details, a consent option and a refusal option |
| Do I have to sign “Yes”? | No. You can choose refusal |
Tip: Read the form fully. Check the student’s name, date of birth and gender match the Aadhaar and school records, or the ID may not be created.
APAAR ID Login
| Who | Where to log in |
|---|---|
| Students and parents | DigiLocker (to see and download the APAAR ID) |
| College students | ABC portal (abc.gov.in) through DigiLocker login, to see credits |
| Schools and institutions | APAAR portal (apaar.education.gov.in) with institution login |
APAAR ID Download (APAAR ID Card)
- Log in to DigiLocker with your mobile number and OTP.
- Open “Issued Documents”.
- Find “APAAR ID” or “APAAR / ABC ID Card”.
- Click to view and download the PDF.
If it is not there, use the search in DigiLocker and fetch it as explained above (for 18+), or ask your school whether the ID was created.
APAAR ID Registration: Common Problems
| Problem | Likely reason | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| APAAR not created | Name or date of birth differs between Aadhaar and school records | Ask the school to correct the record, or update Aadhaar |
| Cannot find APAAR in DigiLocker | ID not yet created or different mobile number | Ask the school; log in with the right Aadhaar-linked number |
| Two IDs for one student | Duplicate creation | Report to the school; a student can have only one APAAR |
| School insists on APAAR | Pressure on parents | You can refuse in writing; schools must still process records |
Is My Child’s Data Safe?
- APAAR data is meant to be used only for education purposes.
- The Supreme Court has directed limits on sharing beyond lawful purposes.
- The privacy policy was updated by the government in September 2026.
- Never share OTPs or DigiLocker passwords with anyone claiming to “update APAAR”.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is APAAR ID?
APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) is a 12-digit lifelong student ID that links academic records and credits in DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits.
What does APAAR ID mean?
It means one permanent academic ID for a student, often called “One Nation, One Student ID”.
Are APAAR ID and ABC ID the same?
For higher education students, yes. The ABC system now uses the APAAR ID, so the same 12-digit number works for both.
How can I create an APAAR ID?
For school students, the school creates it after parent consent. Students aged 18 and above can create or fetch it in DigiLocker by searching “APAAR / ABC ID Card”.
How do I do APAAR ID login?
Students and parents use DigiLocker. College students can also use abc.gov.in through DigiLocker login. Schools use apaar.education.gov.in.
How can I download my APAAR ID card?
Log in to DigiLocker, open “Issued Documents” and download the APAAR ID card.
Where can I get the APAAR ID form PDF?
The consent form is given by your school. Many schools and state education departments also share the PDF.
Is APAAR ID compulsory?
No. It needs consent, and parents can refuse in writing. Schools must still process the student’s records.
What is the APAAR ID card?
It is the digital card in DigiLocker that shows the student’s 12-digit APAAR ID and basic details.
How many APAAR IDs have been created?
More than 26.35 crore verified APAAR IDs had been created by July 2026.
Can I correct details in my APAAR ID?
Yes. Ask your school or college to correct the records. If the mistake is in Aadhaar, update Aadhaar first.
Sources
- Careerindia: APAAR ID 2026, registrations, consent and privacy rights (26.35 crore verified IDs by July 2026; Supreme Court directions)
- Ministry of Education: APAAR portal (apaar.education.gov.in) and Academic Bank of Credits (abc.gov.in)
- DigiLocker: APAAR / ABC ID card
Important Links
These important links are collected for you by yojanabot.com. Click on any link to open the page.
| What You Need | Link |
|---|---|
| Application Form (APAAR / ABC ID in DigiLocker) | Click Here |
| Official Site (APAAR Portal) | Click Here |
| Academic Bank of Credits (ABC ID) | Click Here |
| APAAR ID Download (DigiLocker) | Click Here |
| Aadhaar Card Update Guide | Click Here |
| Other Yojana Info | Click Here |
| Home Page | Click Here |
