Bhubaneswar, July 23: The Supreme Court has delivered a significant ruling regarding the APAAR ID, stating that schools cannot create these IDs for children without parental consent. This decision comes in response to a petition filed by parents of students attending a private school in Bhubaneswar, who were asked to provide consent for the creation of an APAAR ID without any option to refuse.
The parents argued that while the government claims the APAAR ID is voluntary, the consent form did not include an option to decline. They expressed concerns that sharing personal information, including details like height and weight, could infringe on their children’s privacy. The court emphasized that parents should have the right to refuse consent beforehand, rather than only being able to withdraw it later.
The government defended the APAAR ID, asserting that it is entirely voluntary and that parents can choose not to give consent or withdraw it at any time. The APAAR ID, which stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry, is a 12-digit digital student ID intended to streamline academic records under the ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ initiative.
Additionally, the petition highlighted that students who do not obtain an APAAR ID should not be excluded from admission, exam registration, or other academic benefits. The government maintains that the APAAR ID is designed to safeguard students’ academic records on a single digital platform, thus enhancing transparency in the education system.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential risks of data leaks due to the consolidation of such extensive digital information. Experts warn that misuse of this data could severely impact children’s privacy. Parents have also expressed worries that making the APAAR ID mandatory could hinder their children’s access to education and examinations.