APAAR ID 2026: How to Create & Download 'One Nation One Student ID' (Step-by-Step)
APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) is a free, lifelong 12-digit academic ID for students, created through the school or college with parental consent and stored in DigiLocker.
Process details follow the Ministry of Education's APAAR portal. Creation is voluntary and requires parent/guardian consent for minors.
Answer 5–7 simple questions and get your eligibility score in 2 minutes.
Check eligibility now →At a glance
- ID length
- 12 digits
- Cost
- Free
- Created by
- School/college via UDISE+ or institution login
- Download
- DigiLocker
What is it?
APAAR ID is part of the National Education Policy's plan for a single academic record. Marks, certificates and credits (Academic Bank of Credits) can be linked to one ID across schools, boards and universities.
Benefits
Easier admissions and transfers, digital verification of marksheets, a single place for credits and certificates, and less paperwork for scholarships and exams that accept APAAR.
Eligibility criteria
- ✓Any student enrolled in a recognised school, college or university
- ✓Aadhaar details for demographic verification
- ✓Parent/guardian consent for students below 18
- ✓Name, date of birth and gender must match Aadhaar and school records
Documents required
- ✓Aadhaar of student
- ✓Signed parental consent form (for minors)
- ✓School/college enrolment details (PEN/roll number)
- ✓DigiLocker account linked to Aadhaar
How to apply — step by step
- Collect the APAAR consent form from school/college and submit it signed
- Institution verifies details against Aadhaar and generates the ID
- Open DigiLocker, sign in with Aadhaar-linked mobile
- Go to 'Issued Documents' or search 'APAAR' to fetch the card
- Download and save the APAAR card PDF
Important dates
There is no single national last date, but schools often run drives before board registrations. Complete it early to avoid admission delays.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✓Name spelling different in Aadhaar and school record — fix one first
- ✓Trying to create APAAR yourself on third-party sites
- ✓Sharing DigiLocker OTP with agents
- ✓Assuming it replaces Aadhaar — it does not
Frequently asked questions
Is APAAR ID compulsory?
The Ministry describes it as voluntary and consent-based, though many institutions encourage it.
Can a student create it alone?
Generation happens through the institution; the student then fetches it in DigiLocker.
What if Aadhaar details mismatch?
Correct Aadhaar or the school record so both match, then ask the school to retry.
Does APAAR change when I change school?
No. It is a lifelong ID that moves with the student.
Answer 5–7 simple questions and get your eligibility score in 2 minutes.
Check eligibility now →