APAAR ID Not Mandatory for School Admissions, Confirms NCERT

In a latest development by the Indian education system, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has clarified through its latest post on X (formerly Twitter) that having and using an APAAR ID is not compulsory in order to gain admission to schools. This move puts to rest many questions that arise in the minds of parents and/or guardians regarding the digital student ID system.

The official post by NCERT reads, “A child can still get admission without an APAAR ID. It’s not a requirement. What APAAR does is make life easier by helping schools securely store and access a student’s academic records in one place.“ Read the post here:

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐀𝐑 𝐈𝐃 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧? 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞.

A child can still get admission without an APAAR ID. It’s not a requirement. What APAAR does is make life easier by helping schools securely store and access a student’s… pic.twitter.com/qa7IS0OsGE

— NCERT (@ncert) April 16, 2026

What is an APAAR ID?

The APAAR ID (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) is a unique, lifelong digital identity for students, part of the Centre's effort to digitize education. It functions as a centralised repository for academic records, including marksheets, certificates, etc., aiming to track a student's academic journey seamlessly, reduce paperwork, prevent duplication, and ensure continuity, especially for migrating students. 

Is APAAR ID Mandatory? 

No, APAAR ID is not mandatory for seeking school admission. According to the latest announcement by NCERT, the APAAR ID is not mandatory for school admission. The post has acknowledged the importance of the identification code as a helpful tool for administration and record transfer, but it does not affect a child's right to education. Schools must use their standard admission procedures, even if a student does not have an APAAR ID. Its use is optional.

Through the announcement, the NCERT conveys a clear message that digital tools should help, not hinder, in seeking education. The council emphasised that all children should have easy, straightforward, and stress-free access to education, regardless of whether they have digital IDs or face paperwork problems.