APAAR ID download is now a common request from Kerala students and parents because schools, CBSE and several scholarship portals ask for this 12-digit student ID. APAAR, short for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry, is part of the One Nation One Student ID plan and links your marks, certificates and academic credits in one digital account. This guide explains how to create the ID, download it from DigiLocker, and what the 2026 consent rules mean for you.

What Is an APAAR ID?

APAAR is a lifelong 12-digit identity number for students from school to higher education. It connects with DigiLocker and the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), so certificates and credits earned at different institutions can be stored and verified in one place. More than 26 crore verified APAAR IDs had been created by July 2026, and the ID is increasingly used for scholarship verification on the National Scholarship Portal and apprenticeship registration.

Each student can have only one APAAR ID. It is created using details from your Aadhaar and school records, so your name, date of birth and gender must match in both. When there is a mismatch, the ID creation usually fails or shows wrong details, which is the most common problem parents face. Fixing the source record first, either in Aadhaar or with the school, solves most issues.

New 2026 Rule: Consent and Opt-Out Option

In 2026 the Supreme Court directed the Centre and CBSE to include a clear opt-out or refusal option in the APAAR consent form and restricted sharing of student data beyond lawful purposes, following an earlier Orissa High Court order. This means parents can decline APAAR creation in writing, and schools must accept the refusal while still processing exam registration. The government also updated the APAAR privacy policy in September 2026.

For most families, creating the ID is still useful because it simplifies scholarships and future admissions. If you are unsure, read the consent form carefully, ask the school which details will be shared and with whom, and keep a copy of whatever you sign. Students aged eighteen and above can give consent themselves, while minors need a parent or guardian to sign the form.

How to Create an APAAR ID

There are two main ways to create the ID. School students usually get it through their institution, which submits details through the UDISE+ system after collecting parental consent. College students and adults can create it themselves through DigiLocker or the ABC portal. Other channels include the UMANG app and Common Service Centres, which are helpful if you do not have a smartphone or a stable internet connection.

1. Log in to DigiLocker with your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
2. Search for APAAR/ABC ID Card in the Search Documents section.
3. Select your institution, class or course and admission details.
4. Tick the consent box and click Get Document.
5. Your APAAR ID is generated and saved in Issued Documents.

APAAR ID Download Steps

Once created, the ID card stays inside DigiLocker permanently. To complete APAAR ID download, open the DigiLocker app or website, go to Issued Documents, and tap the APAAR/ABC ID card. You can view it, download the PDF or share a verified link with schools and scholarship portals. Because DigiLocker documents are digitally signed, they are legally valid like original paper copies under the IT rules.

If your school created the ID, ask the class teacher or school office for the number. You can then fetch the same card in DigiLocker by entering the institution details. Students who see a message that the record was not found should wait a few days after the school uploads data, then try again, because UDISE+ updates can take time to reach DigiLocker.

Where APAAR ID Is Used

The ID is now used across many education services. CBSE links it with Class IX and XI registration and the candidate lists for board exams, and several universities use it to store credits under the Academic Bank of Credits. Scholarship portals, including the National Scholarship Portal, can use APAAR for student verification, which reduces paperwork. In future, digital mark sheets, migration certificates and skill credentials are expected to be linked to the same account for easier verification.

For Kerala students, the most immediate benefit is easier verification during admissions and scholarship applications, especially when moving between boards or states. Because the record is digital and signed, institutions can confirm your academic history without asking for attested photocopies. Keep your APAAR number noted in a safe place along with your Aadhaar and school admission number, since many online forms now include a field for it.

Fixing Name or Date of Birth Errors

Problem	Fix
Name mismatch with Aadhaar	Correct the school record or update Aadhaar, then refresh in DigiLocker
Wrong date of birth	Submit proof to the school to update UDISE+ data
Record not found	Wait for the school upload and retry after a few days
Duplicate ID	Inform the school; only one APAAR is allowed per student

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

APAAR ID download takes only a few minutes once the ID is created by your school or through DigiLocker. Check that your Aadhaar and school records match, read the consent form carefully, and keep the PDF ready for scholarships and admissions. For related student services, see our guides on downloading the SSLC certificate online and the Kerala scholarship online application.