With the rollout of the APAAR ID under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, every student in India is set to receive a unique academic identity. If you're trying to understand the APAAR registration process, this blog breaks down every step you need to follow—whether you're a student, parent, school, or university administrator.

APAAR stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry and is part of the “One Nation One Student ID” initiative. It links students to their lifelong learning records through DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC).

What Is APAAR and Why Is Registration Necessary?

APAAR is a 12-digit academic identifier that tracks a student’s educational records—from primary school to college, vocational training, and online certifications. Once registered, students gain access to their academic journey through DigiLocker, enabling them to view and share verified credentials.

The APAAR registration process is crucial because:

• It digitizes all academic records.

• It links credits earned through various institutions.

• It enables easy credit transfer, scholarship eligibility, and national-level academic mobility.

Who Needs to Complete the APAAR Registration Process?

The registration process is open to:

• Students of schools (CBSE, ICSE, State Boards)

• College and university students (UGC/AICTE recognized)

• Vocational learners under NSDC, ITIs, and Skill India programs

• Open and distance learning students (IGNOU, NIOS)

Institutions also play a critical role in initiating and managing the process for their enrolled students.

Step-by-Step APAAR Registration Process for Students

Follow this structured approach to complete the APAAR registration smoothly:

1. Aadhaar Consent Collection by Institution

Students (or parents, in case of minors) must provide consent to use Aadhaar. This is typically collected via a consent form shared by the school or college either digitally or in print.

2. Institution Uploads Student Details to ABC Portal

The institution logs into the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) portal and uploads the student’s name, Aadhaar number, mobile number, date of birth, and educational details for APAAR generation.

3. APAAR ID Is Generated and Linked to DigiLocker

Once verified, the student’s APAAR ID is auto-generated and linked with their DigiLocker account. Students can then view the ID and academic credentials under the "Issued Documents" section.

4. Student Activates DigiLocker (If Not Already Done)

If a student hasn’t yet activated DigiLocker, they must do so by visiting www.digilocker.gov.in and logging in with their Aadhaar-linked mobile number.

5. View and Track Credentials Using APAAR

After successful registration, students can view academic records, credit progress, skill certifications, and other issued credentials through the APAAR-linked DigiLocker dashboard or ABC portal.

Documents and Details Required for APAAR Registration

To complete the APAAR registration process, the following are needed:

• Aadhaar number of the student

• Mobile number linked to Aadhaar

• Date of birth and student name

• Institution enrollment or admission number

• Parental consent form (for students below 18)

APAAR Registration Process for Institutions

Educational institutions must also register and get approval before uploading student data.

1. Institution Registers on ABC/NAD Platform

Schools, colleges, and training centers must register on the NAD/DigiLocker issuer portal and apply for approval to become official document issuers.

2. Verification by Ministry of Education

Once applied, the institution’s credentials are verified by the Ministry of Education. Approval grants access to upload student academic data and generate APAAR IDs.

3. Student Data Upload via Admin Panel

Institutions get access to an admin dashboard where they upload student details and trigger APAAR creation through secure APIs.

4. Coordinate With Students for Consent and DigiLocker Setup

Institutions are responsible for guiding students in giving consent, activating DigiLocker accounts, and managing credit entries under APAAR.

Benefits of Completing the APAAR Registration Process

Understanding and completing the APAAR registration process brings several benefits for students and academic bodies:

• Centralized Digital Academic Identity
  Students get a secure, government-recognized academic ID for life, linked to all their learning milestones.

• Easy Credit Transfers and Modular Education
  Credits earned across various institutions can be tracked and transferred, supporting NEP’s flexible education model.

• Verified Documents and Secure Sharing
  All credentials issued under APAAR are digitally signed, tamper-proof, and shareable through QR codes or DigiLocker links.

• Faster Access to Scholarships and Government Schemes
  APAAR helps auto-verify student eligibility for schemes like National Scholarships, vocational stipends, and fee waivers.

• Institutional Efficiency and Digital Compliance
  Institutions simplify record-keeping, reduce paperwork, and meet NEP 2020 requirements by onboarding with APAAR.

TruScholar: Streamlining the APAAR Registration Process for Institutions

TruScholar helps schools, colleges, and training centers digitize and automate the issuance of APAAR-linked credentials through blockchain-secured systems.

How TruScholar Supports APAAR Implementation:

• Automates student data upload and certificate issuance under ABC/APAAR.

• Integrates directly with DigiLocker and NAD platforms.

• Issues verifiable, tamper-proof academic records in bulk.

• Provides dashboards for institutions to monitor progress and status of student APAAR registrations.

What Students and Institutions Should Do Next

To complete the APAAR registration process, here’s a quick action checklist:

For Students:

• Provide Aadhaar and mobile details to your institution

• Give consent for APAAR generation (via form or online)

• Activate your DigiLocker account

• Log in regularly to track your academic credentials and credits

For Institutions:

• Register on the ABC/NAD platform

• Submit verification documents to the Ministry of Education

• Upload student data and generate APAAR IDs

• Use platforms like TruScholar to automate the process and stay NEP-compliant

APAAR Registration: The First Step Toward Smarter Education

The APAAR registration process is more than just a government mandate—it’s the foundation for a modern, flexible, and student-first academic ecosystem. With a single identity that tracks everything from school marks to skill certifications, students can move forward confidently in their education without the burden of managing scattered records.

As more institutions and students complete the APAAR process, India is building a transparent, digitally secure academic future where no learning goes unnoticed.