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Supreme Court Ruling: APAAR ID Now Voluntary for Students

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has declared that the creation of an APAAR ID for students is now voluntary, following a petition challenging its mandatory nature. This decision aligns with the Odisha High Court's previous ruling and emphasizes the importance of privacy rights. The APAAR ID, part of the 'One Nation, One Student ID' initiative, aims to provide a unique digital identity for students, consolidating their academic records. The ruling also mandates that consent forms must include an option to opt-out. This article explores the implications of the ruling and the details surrounding the APAAR ID.
By Ambika Singh Jul 21, 2026, 09:35 IST

Supreme Court's Landmark Decision on APAAR ID



The Supreme Court has made a pivotal ruling concerning the APAAR ID. During the proceedings of a petition, the Court mandated the enforcement of the Odisha High Court's verdict, which deemed the creation of an APAAR ID as entirely optional. As a result of this ruling, students nationwide will now have the choice to obtain an APAAR ID voluntarily. Furthermore, the Court has instructed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to address data security issues related to the APAAR ID regulations.


Let's delve deeper into this matter, examining what the APAAR ID entails, the rationale behind its implementation, and the specific orders issued by the Supreme Court.


1. Creation of APAAR ID is Optional


In the course of the petition hearing, the Supreme Court emphasized that establishing an APAAR ID is not mandatory. This statement was made while reviewing a plea that contested the compulsory nature of the APAAR ID, which is associated with Aadhaar. The Court has mandated that the consent form for creating an APAAR ID must clearly present an option for individuals to 'opt-out' or refuse.


Justice Surya Kant, leading the bench, indicated that the Court would provide a formal order regarding this issue. The petition argued that the existing rule infringes upon the fundamental right to privacy.


2. Understanding the APAAR ID


The APAAR ID is an initiative under the Ministry of Education's 'One Nation, One Student ID' program. This scheme aims to assign a unique 12-digit digital identity to every student in India. This ID will securely compile all academic information, including school records, mark sheets, certificates, and other educational documents. Essentially, students will be able to retrieve their academic records effortlessly using their APAAR ID.


In essence, this ID will allow the Government of India to maintain secure documentation of a student's educational journey from Class 1 through higher education. Currently, APAAR IDs are being issued to students across various grades in multiple states, facilitating the tracking of school dropout rates.


3. APAAR ID Requirement for Board Exams


Education boards, such as the CBSE and several state boards, have mandated the APAAR ID for students in grades 9 to 12. The CBSE has made it clear that registration for Class 10 and 12 board examinations cannot proceed without an APAAR ID. Schools have been directed to generate APAAR IDs for students in these grades.


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